Whatever Works

Name: Whatever Works
Released: 2009-7-3
Cast: Larry David, Evan Rachel Wood, Patricia Clarkson, Ed Begley Jr., Michael McKean

Whatever Works

PG-13
1h 32m
2009

50%

age 15+

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Whatever Works explores the relationship between a crotchety misanthrope, Boris (Larry David) and a naïve, impressionable young runaway from the south, Melody (Evan Rachel Wood). When Melody's uptight parents arrive in New York to rescue her, they are quickly drawn into wildly unexpected romantic entanglements. Everyone discovers that finding love is just a combination of lucky chance and appreciating the value of "whatever works."

Director:

Woody Allen

Writer:

Woody Allen

Cast:

Larry David, Evan Rachel Wood, Patricia Clarkson, Ed Begley Jr., Michael McKean

Rotten Tomatoes® Score

TOMATOMETER®

50%

Critics Consensus: Based upon a script written in the 1970s, Woody Allen's Whatever Works suffers from a lack of fresh ideas.

Reviews

From the Front Row

Matthew Lucas

Allen's finest work in years, and while the plot may rely a bit too much on coincidence and simple...

The result is one of Mr. Allen's most interesting comedies of recent years, a funny film in a fami...

Whatever Works is a very funny Woody Allen movie about things that many - all right, most - of All...

This is fun, but it turns Boris's doomsday neurotic rants into mere cartoon caterwauling. Levant,...

Woody Allen is always exploring new avenues. While Whatever Works isn't close to his best films, i...

January 17, 2018

FULL REVIEW

Common Sense Media

age 15+

Common Sense Says

Tepid adult comedy is no Allen masterpiece.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this tepid Woody Allen comedy tackles mature themes like threesomes, homosexual relationships, and infidelity, though there's little actual nudity or explicit sexual content. The main character tries to commit suicide (played lightly) but isn't successful. The language tends toward the insulting at times, but it isn't overly coarse; expect a little bit of drinking and smoking as well. The humor will most likely appeal to grown-ups or precocious older teens -- don't expect this to be on many kids' must-see list.