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{{Short description|2009 film by Woody Allen}}
{{About|the Woody Allen film|the Miami Vice episode|List of Miami Vice episodes#Season 2: 1985–1986}}

{{Infobox film {{Infobox film
| name = Whatever Works | name = Whatever Works
| image = Whatever works.jpg | image = Whatever works.jpg
| caption = Promotional film poster | caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = ] | director = ]
| producer = ]<br />Stephen Tenenbaum | producer = {{ubl|]|]}}
| writer = Woody Allen | writer = Woody Allen
| starring = ]</br />]<br />]<br>]</br />]<br />] | starring = <!-- Per billing block -->{{ubl|]|]|]|]|]|]}}
| music =
| cinematography = ] | cinematography = ]
| editing = ] | editing = ]
| studio = {{ubl|]|Gravier Productions|]}}
| distributor = ] | distributor = ]
| released = {{Film date|2009|4|22|]|2009|06|19|United States}}
| released = June 19, 2009 <small>(USA)</small><br/>June 25, 2010 <small>(UK)</small>
| runtime = 92 minutes <!-- U.S. theatrical release: 91:34 --> | runtime = 92 minutes <!-- U.S. theatrical release: 91:34 -->
| country = United States | country = United States
| language = English | language = English
| budget = $15 million<ref name="numbers">{{cite web|url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Whatever-Works|title=Whatever Works (2009) - Financial Information|work=]|access-date=26 March 2018|archive-date=26 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180326202409/https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Whatever-Works|url-status=live}}</ref>
| budget = $15 million
| gross = $35,085,646<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=main&id=whateverworks.htm|title=Whatever Works (2009)|work=]|accessdate=2010-11-11}}</ref> | gross = $35 million<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=main&id=whateverworks.htm|title=Whatever Works (2009)|work=Box Office Mojo|access-date=November 11, 2010|archive-date=April 25, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100425033138/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=main&id=whateverworks.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
}} }}
'''''Whatever Works''''' is a 2009 American ] directed and written by ], starring ], ], ], ], ], and ]. '''''Whatever Works''''' is a 2009 American ] directed and written by ] and starring ], ], ], ], ], and ]. It was released on June 19, 2009, received mixed reviews and grossed $35 million.


==Plot== ==Plot==
Boris Yelnikoff (]) is a misanthropic chess teacher and former ] professor. Divorced, he eschews human contact except for his friends (], Adam Brooks, ]) and students, criticizing everyone he meets for not matching him intellectually. Boris Yelnikoff is a ], ] chess teacher and former ] ] professor. Divorced, he avoids most people, and except for three friends and his students, is patronizing to anyone he meets who doesn't match him intellectually. He also spends much of the film washing his hands, while singing the song, "]".
Boris comes home one night to find Melodie (]), a simpleminded 21-year-old, lying on his doorstep. He reluctantly lets her in for a meal and soon she tells him her story. She turns out to be of a distinctly ] background, having been born to ] parents in ] and ran away from them. She asks if she can stay the night, which Boris eventually allows, and she stays with him while she's looking for a job. Melodie develops a crush on Boris despite their age difference and their varying cultures and intelligence. Boris comes home one night to find Melody, a simpleminded 21-year-old, on his doorstep. He reluctantly helps her, and she soon tells him her story. Melody turns out to have a distinctly ] background, with ] parents in ], from whom she's run away. She asks if she can stay the night, which Boris eventually allows. While staying with Boris, Melody develops a crush on him, despite their age difference, varying cultures and intelligence.


Melodie finds a job as a dog walker while still living with Boris. Out on the job, she meets Perry (]) and they arrange a date. When she comes back home, she explains to Boris that she didn't like Perry because he loved everything in the world too much. Boris realizes that he loves her and they get married. Melody soon finds a job as a dog walker where she meets Perry Singleton, and they arrange a date. When she comes back home afterwards, she explains to Boris, she didn't like Perry because he loved the world too much. Boris realizes that he's in love with her and they soon marry.


After a year passes, her mother Marietta (]) finds Melodie, explaining that she and her husband John (]) thought Melodie had been kidnapped. She goes on to tell her that John left her and sold their house after John lost money in the stock market. She meets Boris and is disappointed with him, so she tries to convince Melodie to end her marriage. The three go for lunch at a restaurant and meet Boris' friend, Leo (]). As Marietta goes to use the restroom, Randy James (]) inquires about Melodie. Marietta slyly decides to recruit him to end Melodie's marriage. Later that evening, Leo, who had taken an interest in Marietta, asks her over for dinner. They spend the evening together, and they both discover that she is a wonderful photographer and he even makes plans to contract her professionally. A year later, Melody's mother, Marietta, finds Melody, explaining that she and her husband, John, thought Melody had been kidnapped. She goes on to tell her that John left her and sold their house after John lost money in the stock market. She meets Boris and is disappointed with him, so she tries to persuade Melody to end the marriage. The three go for lunch and meet Boris's friend, Leo. When Marietta goes to use the restroom, a young man, Randy Lee James, inquires about Melody and Marietta slyly decides to recruit Randy, who has fallen in love with Melody ], to end her marriage. Later that evening, Leo, who had taken an interest in Marietta, asks her over for dinner. They spend the evening together, and discover that she's a talented photographer.


Boris explains to the audience that the next few weeks, Marietta changed and started experimenting in artistic photography, exotic new habits, and having a ] with Leo and his business partner, Morgenstern (]). Marietta still hates Boris and continues to arrange for Melodie to marry Randy. She takes her to an outdoor craft market and "accidentally" runs into Randy, who questions her about her marriage. Later shopping for clothes, Melodie meets Randy in another planned encounter with her and gets her to admit that her relationship with Boris is not entirely satisfying. He invites her to the boat he lives on, and the two end up kissing and beginning an affair. Boris explains to the audience that over the next few weeks Marietta has changed and started experimenting with artistic photography, exotic new habits, and starting an ] with Leo and his business partner, Morgenstern. Marietta still hates Boris and keeps trying to get Melody to marry Randy. She takes Melody to an outdoor market and "accidentally" runs into Randy, who questions her about her marriage. Melody sees past Marietta's attempt and tells him that her marriage is fine. She warns her mother to stop, but Marietta continues to try. Later, while shopping for clothes, Melody meets Randy in yet another planned encounter and he gets her to admit that her relationship with Boris isn't entirely satisfying. He then invites her to the boat he lives on, and the two kiss and begin an affair.


John arrives at Boris and Melodie's home full of regret and hopes to get the family back together. They all go to Marietta's photography exhibit opening together, and he sees how his ex-wife has changed since she moved to New York. Distraught, he retreats to a bar, drinking away his misery. While there, he meets a recently divorced ] man named Howard (Christopher Evan Welch), and realizes that he is also gay. John arrives at Boris and Melody's home remorseful and hopes to get the family back together. They all go to Marietta's photography exhibit opening together, and he sees how his ex-wife has changed since she moved to New York. Distraught, he retreats to a bar, drinking away his misery. While there, he meets a recently divorced gay man, Howard, and admits what he has known most of his adult life: that he is also gay.


Melodie tells Boris she is in love with Randy. Boris is disheartened by this and jumps out a window again, but this time lands on Helena (]) breaking her arm and leg. As he visits her in the hospital, he asks her if there is anything he can do to make up with her, and Helena says she would like to go to dinner with Boris. Melody finally tells Boris she's in love with Randy, and Boris is devastated, jumping out the window. He lands on another woman, Helena, breaking her arm and leg. When he visits her in the hospital, Boris asks her if there is anything he can do to make it up to her, Helena says she would like to go to dinner with him.


Finally, Boris hosts a New Year's Eve party, at which everyone is seen in their new relationships: Marietta with Leo and Morgenstern, John with Howard, Melodie with Randy, and finally Boris with Helena. Melodie and her parents had, each one separately, completely shed their former southern conservative mindsets and wholeheartedly adopted the liberal New York way of life and values. (John tells that his former membership in the ] had been but a sublimation of his repressed homosexuality). They are now all the best of friends, and at midnight heralding a new year they kiss and Boris tells the audience that you just have to find all the enjoyment that you can, that you have to find "whatever works." Finally, Boris hosts a New Year's Eve party, where everyone is in their new relationships: Marietta with Leo and Morgenstern, John is with Howard, Melody with Randy, and finally Boris with Helena. Melody and her parents have completely shed their former Southern ] mindsets and wholeheartedly adopted the ] ] way of life and values. Everyone is now the best of friends, and at midnight they kiss their significant others.

Afterward, it is revealed that only Boris can speak to the audience and he explains that one has to find all the enjoyment one can to find, "''Whatever Works''".


==Cast== ==Cast==
<!--- Cast and order per tombstone opening credits, roles per closing credits scroll --->
⚫ * ] as Boris Yelnikoff
{{cast listing|
⚫ * ] as Melodie St. Ann Celestine
* ] as Marietta Celestine * ] as Boris
⚫ * ] as Melody
⚫ * ] as John
* ] as Marietta
⚫ * ] as Brockman
⚫ * ] as Boris' friend
* ] as Randy Lee James * ] as Randy Lee James
* ] as Joe * ] as Perry
⚫ * ] as Leo Brockman
* ] as Morgenstern
⚫ * ] as John Celestine
⚫ * Christopher Evan Welch as Howard Cummings (Kaminsky)
* ] as Jessica
* ] as Helena * ] as Helena
* ] as Chess Mother * ] as Jessica
⚫ * ] as Howard
⚫ * ] as Boris' Friend
* ] as Boris' Friend * ] as Morgenstern
}}


⚫ In addition, ] and Lyle Kanouse portray Boris' two other unnamed friends.
⚫ ==Release==
⚫ On February 2, 2009, '']'' reported that ] had purchased U.S. distribution rights to ''Whatever Works''. It premiered at the ] in ],<ref name="nymag"/> on April 22, 2009. Sony gave the film a limited USA release on June 19, 2009. ] released the film in ] theatrically and released the ] in October 2009. The film had its UK release on June 25, 2010.<ref name="teleg">{{cite news| url= http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmmakersonfilm/7838767/Woody-Allen-interview-for-Whatever-Works.html |title= Woody Allen interview for ''Whatever Works''| publisher= ] | date= 22 June 2010 | accessdate=2010-06-27 | location=London | first=Adam | last=Higginbotham}}</ref>


==Production== ==Production==
The film was shot in New York City, marking Allen's return to his native city after shooting four films in Europe. David was hesitant to take the role, pointing out to Allen that his work on '']'' was ], but Allen encouraged him to take the role anyway.<ref name="nymag">{{cite web| url=http://nymag.com/movies/features/56930/ | title=Twilight of the Tummlers]| publisher=''New York'' magazine| date= June 1, 2009 | accessdate=2010-06-27}}</ref> The film was shot in New York City, marking Allen's return to his native city after shooting four films in Europe. David was hesitant to take the role, pointing out to Allen that his work on '']'' was ], but Allen encouraged him to take the role anyway.<ref name="nymag">{{cite web|url=http://nymag.com/movies/features/56930/|title=Twilight of the Tummlers|work=New York magazine|date=June 1, 2009|access-date=June 27, 2010|archive-date=November 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109043616/http://nymag.com/movies/features/56930/|url-status=live}}</ref>


In part to counter assertions that the film is autobiographical,<ref name="teleg"/> Allen points out that the script was written in the early '70s, with ] in mind for Boris; it was shelved after the actor's death in 1977. Thirty years later, Allen revisited the script in an attempt to create a film before a potential threat of a ] strike.<ref name="nymag"/> According to Allen, the only significant changes to the script involved updating the topical references.<ref name="teleg"/><ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2009/06/16/woody_allen_larry_david_evan_rachel_wood Partly to counter assertions that the film is autobiographical,<ref name="teleg"/> Allen has pointed out that the script was written in the early 1970s, with ] in mind for Boris; it was shelved after the actor's death in 1977. Thirty years later, Allen revisited the script in an attempt to create a film before a potential threat of a ] strike.<ref name="nymag"/> According to Allen, the only significant changes to the script involved updating the topical references.<ref name="teleg"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2009/06/16/woody_allen_larry_david_evan_rachel_wood|title=Woody Allen, Larry David, Evan Rachel Wood & Others Discuss 'Whatever Works'|work=Starpulse Entertainment News|date=June 16, 2009|access-date=June 19, 2009|archive-date=June 20, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090620175418/http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2009/06/16/woody_allen_larry_david_evan_rachel_wood|url-status=live}}</ref>
|title = Woody Allen, Larry David, Evan Rachel Wood & Others Discuss 'Whatever Works'
|work = Starpulse Entertainment News
|date = 2009-06-16 |accessdate = 2009-06-19
}}</ref>


==Soundtrack== ==Soundtrack==
* "Hello I Must Be Going" - ] and Cast * "]" – ] and Cast
* "Salty Bubble" - Tom Sharpsteen and His Orlandos * "Salty Bubble" – Tom Sharpsteen and His Orlandos
* "Butterfly By" - ] * "Butterfly By" – ]
* "Honeymoon Swoon" - Werner Tautz * "Honeymoon Swoon" – Werner Tautz
* "]" - ] * "]" – ]
* ] in D Minor, Op. 125 - ] * ] in D Minor, Op. 125 – ]
* ] - ] * ] – ]
* ] in C Minor - ] * ] in C Minor – ]
* "]" - ] and ] * "]" – ] and ]
* "Spring Will Be A Little Late This Year" - ] * "Spring Will Be A Little Late This Year" – ]
* "Menina Flor" - Charlie Byrd * "Menina Flor" – Charlie Byrd
* ] - ] & His Orchestra * ] – ] & His Orchestra
* "Happy Birthday To You" - Larry David * "Happy Birthday To You" – Larry David

⚫ ==Release==
⚫ On February 2, 2009, '']'' reported that ] had purchased U.S. distribution rights to ''Whatever Works''. It premiered at the ] in New York City,<ref name="nymag"/> on April 22, 2009. Sony gave the film a limited US release, beginning June 19, 2009. ] released the film in ] theatrically, and on ] in October 2009. The film had its UK release on June 25, 2010.<ref name="teleg">{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmmakersonfilm/7838767/Woody-Allen-interview-for-Whatever-Works.html|title=Woody Allen interview for ''Whatever Works''|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=June 22, 2010|access-date=June 27, 2010|location=London|first=Adam|last=Higginbotham|archive-date=June 25, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100625062003/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmmakersonfilm/7838767/Woody-Allen-interview-for-Whatever-Works.html|url-status=live}}</ref>


==Reception== ==Reception==
The film received mixed or average reviews from critics.<ref name="mt">{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/whateverworks | title=Whatever Works (2009): Reviews | publisher=Metacritic | accessdate=2009-06-21}}</ref> ] reported that 49% of critics gave positive reviews based on 141 reviews with an average score of 5.3/10.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/whatever_works/ | title=Whatever Works Movie Reviews, Pictures | publisher=Rotten Tomatoes | accessdate=2010-06-27}}</ref> Among Rotten Tomatoes' Top Critics, the reviews were decidedly more negative, with an overall approval rating of 31% based on 36 reviews.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/whatever_works/?critic=creamcrop | title=Whatever Works Movie Reviews, Pictures - Top Critics| publisher=Rotten Tomatoes | accessdate=2010-06-27}}</ref> According to another review aggretator, ], which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 top reviews from mainstream critics, the film has an average score of 45% based on 30 reviews.<ref name="mt">{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/whateverworks | title=Whatever Works (2009): Reviews | publisher=Metacritic | accessdate=2009-06-21}}</ref> On ] the film holds an approval rating of 50% based on 165 reviews, with an average rating of 5.4/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "Based upon a script written in the 1970s, Woody Allen's ''Whatever Works'' suffers from a lack of fresh ideas."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/whatever_works/|title=Whatever Works Movie Reviews, Pictures|work=Rotten Tomatoes|access-date=June 27, 2010|archive-date=August 11, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100811085357/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/whatever_works/|url-status=live}}</ref> According to another review aggregator, ], which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 top reviews from mainstream critics, the film has an average score of 45 out of 100, based on 30 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".<ref name="mt">{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/whateverworks|title=Whatever Works (2009): Reviews|work=Metacritic|access-date=June 21, 2009|archive-date=June 19, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090619205915/http://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/whateverworks|url-status=live}}</ref>


Reflecting the evenly split approval of the critics, Matthew Oshinsky of '']'' wrote that the film was a good example of Allen's "ability to write great roles for women" and the film is nowhere near his best work, but it has some funny lines and that "it's at least pleasant".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nj.com/entertainment/tv/2009/06/woody_allen_brings_his_neurose.html |title='Whatever Works' movie review - Woody Allen brings his neuroses home |first=Matthew |last=Oshinsky |work=] |date=2009-06-18 |access-date=2020-04-19 |archive-date=2020-09-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922153605/https://www.nj.com/entertainment/tv/2009/06/woody_allen_brings_his_neurose.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
Upon the film's USA release, ] of ''The New York Times'' wrote:<ref>{{cite news| title= Kvetch Your Enthusiasm |url= http://movies.nytimes.com/2009/06/19/movies/19whatever.html| publisher= ]| date=June 19, 2009| accessdate=2010-06-27 | first=A. O. | last=Scott}}</ref>
<blockquote>] and ], as a mother out of ] and a daughter out of '']'', bring not only feminine sparkle but also acting discipline to what feels, all too often, like a run-through of an unfinished play. The scenes, shot by the excellent ], ]’s longtime director of photography, have a static, blocky feel. Their deliberate pacing and the decorous rhythms of the dialogue might charitably be described as classical, given the picture’s occasional evocation of a Broadway-to-Hollywood adaptation from the 1930s. A less generous word might be sloppy, given the near-total absence of the kind of ] verve of which Mr. Allen, when he’s on his comic game, is capable. To be sure there is a measure of vigor in ]’s performance in the central role of existential kvetcher, a formerly eminent physicist named Boris Yelnikoff. Mr. David does a lot of shouting and some antic gesticulating, and even throws himself out a window. But frantic action is not the same as acting, and there is barely a moment in ''Whatever Works'' in which Mr. David rises even to the level of credible impersonation.</blockquote>


==See also== ==See also==
* ]
*]


==References== ==References==
Line 93: Line 96:


==External links== ==External links==
* {{official|http://www.sonyclassics.com/whateverworks/}} * {{Official website|http://www.sonyclassics.com/whateverworks/}}
* {{IMDb title|1178663}} * {{IMDb title}}
* {{TCMDb title}}
* {{rotten-tomatoes|whatever_works}}
* {{metacritic film|whateverworks}} * {{AFI film}}

* {{mojo title|whateverworks}}
⚫ {{Woody Allen}}
{{Authority control}}


⚫ {{Woody Allen Films}}
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Latest revision as of 11:38, 7 January 2025

2009 film by Woody Allen This article is about the Woody Allen film. For the Miami Vice episode, see List of Miami Vice episodes § Season 2: 1985–1986.
Whatever Works
Theatrical release poster
Directed byWoody Allen
Written byWoody Allen
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyHarris Savides
Edited byAlisa Lepselter
Production
companies
Distributed bySony Pictures Classics
Release dates
  • April 22, 2009 (2009-04-22) (Tribeca)
  • June 19, 2009 (2009-06-19) (United States)
Running time92 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$15 million
Box office$35 million

Whatever Works is a 2009 American comedy film directed and written by Woody Allen and starring Larry David, Evan Rachel Wood, Patricia Clarkson, Ed Begley Jr., Michael McKean, and Henry Cavill. It was released on June 19, 2009, received mixed reviews and grossed $35 million.

Plot

Boris Yelnikoff is a cynical, misanthropic chess teacher and former Columbia quantum mechanics professor. Divorced, he avoids most people, and except for three friends and his students, is patronizing to anyone he meets who doesn't match him intellectually. He also spends much of the film washing his hands, while singing the song, "Happy Birthday".

Boris comes home one night to find Melody, a simpleminded 21-year-old, on his doorstep. He reluctantly helps her, and she soon tells him her story. Melody turns out to have a distinctly Southern background, with fundamentalist parents in Mississippi, from whom she's run away. She asks if she can stay the night, which Boris eventually allows. While staying with Boris, Melody develops a crush on him, despite their age difference, varying cultures and intelligence.

Melody soon finds a job as a dog walker where she meets Perry Singleton, and they arrange a date. When she comes back home afterwards, she explains to Boris, she didn't like Perry because he loved the world too much. Boris realizes that he's in love with her and they soon marry.

A year later, Melody's mother, Marietta, finds Melody, explaining that she and her husband, John, thought Melody had been kidnapped. She goes on to tell her that John left her and sold their house after John lost money in the stock market. She meets Boris and is disappointed with him, so she tries to persuade Melody to end the marriage. The three go for lunch and meet Boris's friend, Leo. When Marietta goes to use the restroom, a young man, Randy Lee James, inquires about Melody and Marietta slyly decides to recruit Randy, who has fallen in love with Melody at first sight, to end her marriage. Later that evening, Leo, who had taken an interest in Marietta, asks her over for dinner. They spend the evening together, and discover that she's a talented photographer.

Boris explains to the audience that over the next few weeks Marietta has changed and started experimenting with artistic photography, exotic new habits, and starting an open relationship with Leo and his business partner, Morgenstern. Marietta still hates Boris and keeps trying to get Melody to marry Randy. She takes Melody to an outdoor market and "accidentally" runs into Randy, who questions her about her marriage. Melody sees past Marietta's attempt and tells him that her marriage is fine. She warns her mother to stop, but Marietta continues to try. Later, while shopping for clothes, Melody meets Randy in yet another planned encounter and he gets her to admit that her relationship with Boris isn't entirely satisfying. He then invites her to the boat he lives on, and the two kiss and begin an affair.

John arrives at Boris and Melody's home remorseful and hopes to get the family back together. They all go to Marietta's photography exhibit opening together, and he sees how his ex-wife has changed since she moved to New York. Distraught, he retreats to a bar, drinking away his misery. While there, he meets a recently divorced gay man, Howard, and admits what he has known most of his adult life: that he is also gay.

Melody finally tells Boris she's in love with Randy, and Boris is devastated, jumping out the window. He lands on another woman, Helena, breaking her arm and leg. When he visits her in the hospital, Boris asks her if there is anything he can do to make it up to her, Helena says she would like to go to dinner with him.

Finally, Boris hosts a New Year's Eve party, where everyone is in their new relationships: Marietta with Leo and Morgenstern, John is with Howard, Melody with Randy, and finally Boris with Helena. Melody and her parents have completely shed their former Southern conservative mindsets and wholeheartedly adopted the liberal New York City way of life and values. Everyone is now the best of friends, and at midnight they kiss their significant others.

Afterward, it is revealed that only Boris can speak to the audience and he explains that one has to find all the enjoyment one can to find, "Whatever Works".

Cast

In addition, Adam Brooks and Lyle Kanouse portray Boris' two other unnamed friends.

Production

The film was shot in New York City, marking Allen's return to his native city after shooting four films in Europe. David was hesitant to take the role, pointing out to Allen that his work on Curb Your Enthusiasm was improvisation, but Allen encouraged him to take the role anyway.

Partly to counter assertions that the film is autobiographical, Allen has pointed out that the script was written in the early 1970s, with Zero Mostel in mind for Boris; it was shelved after the actor's death in 1977. Thirty years later, Allen revisited the script in an attempt to create a film before a potential threat of a Screen Actors Guild strike. According to Allen, the only significant changes to the script involved updating the topical references.

Soundtrack

Release

On February 2, 2009, Variety reported that Sony Pictures Classics had purchased U.S. distribution rights to Whatever Works. It premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City, on April 22, 2009. Sony gave the film a limited US release, beginning June 19, 2009. Maple Pictures released the film in Canada theatrically, and on DVD in October 2009. The film had its UK release on June 25, 2010.

Reception

On Rotten Tomatoes the film holds an approval rating of 50% based on 165 reviews, with an average rating of 5.4/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "Based upon a script written in the 1970s, Woody Allen's Whatever Works suffers from a lack of fresh ideas." According to another review aggregator, Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 top reviews from mainstream critics, the film has an average score of 45 out of 100, based on 30 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".

Reflecting the evenly split approval of the critics, Matthew Oshinsky of The Star-Ledger wrote that the film was a good example of Allen's "ability to write great roles for women" and the film is nowhere near his best work, but it has some funny lines and that "it's at least pleasant".

See also

References

  1. "Whatever Works (2009) - Financial Information". The Numbers. Archived from the original on 26 March 2018. Retrieved 26 March 2018.
  2. "Whatever Works (2009)". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on April 25, 2010. Retrieved November 11, 2010.
  3. ^ "Twilight of the Tummlers". New York magazine. June 1, 2009. Archived from the original on November 9, 2020. Retrieved June 27, 2010.
  4. ^ Higginbotham, Adam (June 22, 2010). "Woody Allen interview for Whatever Works". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on June 25, 2010. Retrieved June 27, 2010.
  5. "Woody Allen, Larry David, Evan Rachel Wood & Others Discuss 'Whatever Works'". Starpulse Entertainment News. June 16, 2009. Archived from the original on June 20, 2009. Retrieved June 19, 2009.
  6. "Whatever Works Movie Reviews, Pictures". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on August 11, 2010. Retrieved June 27, 2010.
  7. "Whatever Works (2009): Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on June 19, 2009. Retrieved June 21, 2009.
  8. Oshinsky, Matthew (2009-06-18). "'Whatever Works' movie review - Woody Allen brings his neuroses home". The Star-Ledger. Archived from the original on 2020-09-22. Retrieved 2020-04-19.

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