Michelle SweeneyReview - Whatever Works
November 1st 2009 03:16
Boris Yellnikoff (Larry David) considers himself a genius (he tells us at every opportunity he gets) and lets everyone around him know that he was considered for a Nobel prize in Physics. He suffers from anxieties (a la Woody Allen's numerous characters) and after a failed suicide attempt, prefers to live a simpler life free from all the trappings that only further unhappiness and suffering in people's lives.
Upon returning to his apartment one night, he comes across a young runaway named Melodie St. Ann Celestine (Evan Rachel Wood) who is hungry and looking for a place to stay. Fast forward a month later and she is still there although has now found employment as a dog walker much to Yellnikoff's chagrin. The circumstances surrounding their meeting is contrived but manages to provide enough meat on the bone to form the relationship which holds the movie together. He quickly identifies her as being a simpleton and she enjoys being surrounded by his so-called genius. He sees the bad in everything and she likes to view the world in pretty rose coloured glasses. Despite their differences they wed and it is not long before Melodie's parents enter the scene in search of their long-lost daughter.
New York turns out to be a place for people to experience earth shattering changes. A wonderful Patricia Clarkson is Melodie's mother Marietta who is by all rights, a prim lady who hates the fact that Melodie has been (in her opinion) coerced into the marriage with Boris. Despite her dislike for Boris, she moves in with the married couple as she is left homeless and partnerless after her husband John (Ed Begley Jr) lost his job, their house and leaves her for her best friend. Marietta constantly tries to convince Melodie to leave Boris at every turn and attempts to hook her up with a young handsome actor who lives, romantically, on a house boat. And as New York takes hold, it isn't long before Marietta discovers that she has an artistic as well as a sexual streak, moving in with two men to carry out a very happy menage a trois. Melodie's father John too has an earth shattering realisation when he visits New York to seek out his wife and daughter. Wow - New York - what a place!!
Yes it could've been Woody Allen playing the role and personally I think I liked it more, because it wasn't. And I think seeing a 70 old man hooking up with a 21 year old girl is a bit creepy. Not that a 60 year old man is much better - but it works for the most part moreso because we are spared from any form of closeness between the two characters. The movie is theatrical in its approach with Boris Yellnikoff (David) approaching the actors fourth wall and speaking directly to the audience, much to the amusement of his friends.
Melodie St. Ann Celestine: Boris, what are you doing? Who're you talking to?
Boris Yellnikoff: What? There's people out there watching us!
Helena: What?
Marietta: Out there?
Boris Yellnikoff: Yeah, they're watching...
The acting from all the characters involved is charming particularly from the female actors Clarkson and Wood, despite the contrived scenarios which are presented to them by way of the script. Interestingly enough, the script was actually penned by Allen over 30 years ago which just goes to prove that given our relationships and views, not a lot changes in the grand scheme of things. Whatever Works is a fun cautionary tale about grasping love in whatever scenario it presents itself, even if it seems at odds with what you thought you were searching for all along.
As Yellnikoff himself says: "And just so you know, this is not the feel good movie of the year.", although I beg to differ slightly as you can't help but leave with the feeling that maybe all is right in the world - somewhere - somehow.
Voyage Review: 3.5/5
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