Whatever Works

2009, Comedy/Romance, 1h 32m

168 Reviews 25,000+ Ratings

What to know

critics consensus

Based upon a script written in the 1970s, Woody Allen's Whatever Works suffers from a lack of fresh ideas. Read critic reviews

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Whatever Works Photos

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Movie Info

After a failed suicide attempt, brilliant New York misanthrope Boris Yellnikoff (Larry David) forsakes his posh upper-class existence for meager accommodations in Chinatown. He meets his exact opposite in Melody (Evan Rachel Wood), a pageant queen from the Deep South who's long on sweetness but short on smarts. Surprisingly, Boris and Melody marry, but the sparks really fly when Melody's born-again Christian mother (Patricia Clarkson) arrives and finds liberation instead of damnation.
  • Rating:
    PG-13 (Nude Images|Dialogue|Sexual Situations|Thematic Material)
  • Genre:
    Comedy, Romance
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Woody Allen
  • Producer:
    Letty Aronson, Stephen Tenenbaum
  • Writer:
    Woody Allen
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     limited
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $5.3M
  • Runtime:
  • Distributor:
    Sony Pictures Classics

Cast & Crew

Larry David
Boris Yellnikoff
Evan Rachel Wood
Melody
Patricia Clarkson
Marietta
Ed Begley Jr.
John
Michael McKean
Joe
Henry Cavill
Randy James
John Gallagher Jr.
Perry
Jessica Hecht
Helena
Carolyn McCormick
Jessica
Christopher Evan Welch
Howard
Woody Allen
Director
Woody Allen
Screenwriter
Letty Aronson
Producer
Stephen Tenenbaum
Producer
Vincent Maraval
Executive Producer
Brahim Chioua
Executive Producer
Harris Savides
Cinematography
Alisa Lepselter
Film Editing
Ali Farrell
Casting
Laura Rosenthal
Casting
Juliet Taylor
Casting
Santo Loquasto
Production Design
Suzy Benzinger
Costume Design
Tom Warren
Art Director
Ellen Christiansen
Set Decoration
Show all Cast & Crew

Critic Reviews for Whatever Works

All Critics (168) | Top Critics (59) | Fresh (84) | Rotten (84)
Full Review… David Ansen Newsweek Full Review… Ed Koch The Atlantic Full Review… Joshua Rothkopf Time Out Full Review… Catherine Shoard Guardian Full Review… Adam Woodward Little White Lies Full Review… Tim Robey Daily Telegraph (UK) Full Review… Andrea Hubert NME Full Review… Mike Massie Gone With The Twins Full Review… Matthew Lucas From the Front Row Full Review… Kelly Jane Torrance Washington Times Full Review… Scott Raab Esquire Magazine Full Review… Justin Stewart Stop Smiling
View All Critic Reviews (168)

Audience Reviews for Whatever Works

  • Jan 09, 2014
    Larry David is the only reason I watched this film but I soon seen Woody Allens name and realised this was one of many films I hadn't seen. I hold Allens films in high standard and just love the comedy he creates through use of dialogue. This film has hilarious Larry David rants and the dream team of Allen and David fits the comedy moments. You get the sense that Allen created the film for himself in the lead but I think David plays the neurotic lead well. The film has an innocence that you can't ignore, I'm a little shocked at all the mixed reviews. 04-11-2017.
    Brendan N Super Reviewer
  • Jun 22, 2013
    This film teaters on the fine line between interesting and strange. I may have a different outlook on this movie than other because I am a huge fan of Larry David, but overall the movie was just okay. It is a decent watch if you are in a cynical mood, but I wouldn't recommend going out of your way to see it. It has a few moments of intrigue and humor, but it is hardly worth anyone's time.
    Sanjay R Super Reviewer
  • Jan 08, 2013
    Not bad, but something just doesn't click.
    Hugo S Super Reviewer
  • Jul 11, 2012
    Sporadically humorous, but some of the acting is kind of sketchy, and there are a few too many familiar cliches involved in the love stories. I will admit I liked the themes involved and the misanthropic Larry David character.
    Dillon L Super Reviewer
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