Whatever Works

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"A new comedy!"
  • PG-13
  • 2009
  • 1 hr 32 min
  • 7.1  (76,238)
  • 45

Whatever Works is a 2009 film directed by Woody Allen, starring Evan Rachel Wood, Larry David, and Henry Cavill in the lead roles. The film is a comedy-drama that follows the life of Boris Yellnikoff (Larry David), a middle-aged former physics professor who is now a grumpy and cynical part-time chess instructor living in New York City.

Boris believes that the world is a cruel and meaningless place, and he has no faith in humanity or society as a whole. He constantly rants about the stupidity and mediocrity of the people around him and considers himself an intellectual superior to all. He has a failed marriage and no friends, and he spends his days reading and writing. However, everything changes after he meets Melodie St. Ann Celestine (Evan Rachel Wood), a teenage runaway from Mississippi, hiding in the alley behind his apartment.

Melodie is completely opposite to Boris in every way possible. She’s young, innocent, excited about life, and believes that everything is possible if you just try. She convinces Boris to let her stay with him for a while, and he becomes her mentor in the ways of the world. As he tries to teach her his cynical philosophy, he finds himself falling in love with her. They get into an unlikely relationship that challenges their ways of thinking and challenges the way they see life.

The film explores different themes such as love, relationships, and individual perspectives on life, and how sometimes, opposites attract. This bittersweet comedy reflects the evolution of our perceptions of love and happiness as we mature and grow. Boris tries his best to understand and teach Melodie everything he knows while at the same time, trying to avoid his own emotions. Melodie, on the other hand, tries to bring happiness to Boris’ life and helps him see the world in a different light.

As the story unfolds, Boris is forced to confront some uncomfortable truths about himself and the way he sees the world. He realizes that life isn’t black and white, and sometimes you have to take a leap of faith to find happiness. Similarly, Melodie learns that the world isn't all sunshine and rainbows and that sometimes things don't work out the way we want them to.

The film is a perfect blend of humor and tragedy, exploring themes of love and life while offering insight into the complexities of human relationships. The performances by Larry David and Evan Rachel Wood are superb, and their chemistry makes the film highly watchable. The supporting cast also adds to the success of the film, with Henry Cavill as a rich, handsome and boring man, who Melodie chooses to marry and experience life or money.

Overall, Whatever Works is a witty, clever, and engaging movie that will make you laugh, cry, and reflect on life at the same time. The film is an excellent example of how individuals with different ideologies and personalities can learn and grow from each other. It encourages us to be more accepting of others and give different perspectives a chance.

Whatever Works is a 2009 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 32 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1 and a MetaScore of 45.

Whatever Works
Description
Where to Watch Whatever Works
Whatever Works is available to watch, stream, download and buy on demand at Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play, YouTube VOD and Vudu. Some platforms allow you to rent Whatever Works for a limited time or purchase the movie and download it to your device.
  • Release Date
    2009
  • MPAA Rating
    PG-13
  • Runtime
    1 hr 32 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    7.1  (76,238)
  • Metascore
    45
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