OK for kids 15+
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.
- Families can talk about what the story says about relationships. Why does Melody seek the company of a much older man -- and vice versa? Is there anything wrong with a younger person taking up with a much older partner? How do movies usually portray that kind of relationship?
- Fans of Woody Allen can also discuss how this movie compares to his other films. What do his movies tend to have in common?
The good stuff
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Messages: Despite the fact that the movie deals with subjects like infidelity, a dismal worldview, and even suicide attempts, there’s also a lot of hope and humor.
What to watch for
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Violence: Heated arguments, with yelling. A man jumps out of a window, and, on his second attempt, lands on a person.
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Sex: Actual scenes are fairly chaste, but scenarios aren’t: A conservative married woman arrives in New York and transforms herself into an artist involved in a happy threesome (three people are shown under covers, but no body parts are revealed). Her estranged husband takes up with a man. Another married character cheats on her husband. Open discussions about sex. Some suggestive photographs are shown.
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Language: Insults aplenty, such as “stupid,†“cracker,†and “imbecile.†Also “goddamn.â€
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Consumerism: Pellegrino labels.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Some drinking at a bar; a little bit of smoking.
Fan Reviews provided by
1
One of the Season's Worst ! by Santa_Fe_Ranger
I've always enjoyed Allen's humor and self-absorbed neurosis, but this film was terrible. I knew I was in for a disappointment when "Boris" started talking directly into the camera to the "audience". The film had a grating quality which would have prompted me to just get up and leave had it not been for my date who seemed willing to sit through it until the end. Admittedly, the material occasionally was engaging during the second half, but overall not enough to make me want to stay in my seat.
I think Allen has completely lost it with this disaster.
4
I laughed and that what works for me by Powerhugs
After sifting through a myriad of your typical anti-Woody Allen reviews I was determined to see this film for myself because I wanted to be my own judge..Yes its true that its not Woody's best work but call me crazy I actually enjoyed the escapism of the story and the characters. It was good fun to see some familiar New York locations being used for a change since this was the filmmaker's return to New York...And suprisingly the audience clapped at the end of the film so apparently I wasn't the only one who enjoyed it..I will spare everyone the technical faults and the social commentary that Woody Allen films naturally bring to mind....Its just that you go in with extraordinary expectations and if it doesn't deliver the film gets panned.. I can tell you that listening to Woody's words being spoken by Larry David were smart and classic Woody and that was worth 90 minutes of laughter...
5
WHATEVER WORKS---Terrific by Supreme Being
Larry David & Woody Allen , WOW! It's taken me years to actually like Woody Allen movies, but this one is one of his best and he has officially gained a fan for life.
Larry David is a comic genius. Just watch his CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM show on HBO. His performance in WHATEVER WORKS brought one laugh after another for me. I saw it at ShowWest back in March and cannot wait to see it again.
There is a great supporting cast supplying lots of laughs. What else could you possibly ask for from a Comedy?
I hope everyone sees this movie. If you don't laugh about every 5 minutes you need to get your sense of humor analyzed.
5
Whatever Works is a must see! by wilewskip
My expectation were relatively low going in. After all, last year Woody Allen directed Casandra's Dream and Vicky Cristinal Barcelona. Latter was my movie pick of the year, hands down. So I was very pleased to see that humor and fast pacing were back on display. I laughed often and hard. The only negative is movie's low budget which occasionally shows in production. Overall, it's a must see movie of this summer.
5
Hilarious! Typical Woody Allen and Larry David fashion - entertaining and funny! by elibutton
I thought this movie was hilarious! I was excited to see Woody and Larry team up for this film. If you're a fan of Woody Allen - or Larry David - then you'll definitely love this movie as it will keep you laughing and engaged.
At first it seems to be a show about Larry David's usual quips - almost like he was blogging to the world. After that the storyline develops and you meet each character and start to get involved with them and their story. In the end it all comes together in some dysfunctional sort of way to sustain the notion of "Whatever Works".
Woody has a knack for making great films that are full of substance and good dialogue - which this movie has plenty of. This kind of reminded me of "Mighty Aphrodite" as far as the relationship between the 2 main characters, and you will definitely laugh your socks off at this one. I highly recommend it! Hats off to Larry and Woody on a great movie!
5
Whatever Works by judyesq
Ignore the reviews, this is one of Woody's best.Terrifically funny and clever. A pure delight. GO SEE IT, Whole theater applauded at the end.
4
If you're a Woody Allen fan ... by mazart
you will find Whatever Works very comfortable, from the banter and dialogue to the characters' problems and their resolutions. At some places where the movie wanted to be funny, it was not; however, it was just funny enough. On balance, I'm happy I saw the movie and I recommend it to Allen fans especially.
5
Whatever Works by steven.axelrod@gmail.com
A very funny, smart, and touching film. It's nicely written, with some prime Woody Allen jokes, and it's beautifully acted. Patricia Clarkson is indelible, but everyone in the film is terrific. This is the best american movie I've seen this summer.