Whatever Works: A Quick Review

First of all, if you have never watched a Woody Allen movie (he writes and directs all his movies by the way, and years ago used to star in them too...fun little fact right there) before, stop reading this review and go watch"Annie Hall" (aka the only other Woody Allen movie I have personally watched and also one of Woody Allen's best). It's a great, funny movie from 1977 that stars Woody Allen and Diane Keaton. Anyway, back to "Whatever Works"... It has a strong cast that includes Larry David, Rachel Evan Wood, Ed Begley Jr., and Michael McKean (who is a great comedic actor and is used far to little in the movie). The plot is pretty predictable: somehow Larry David's character, an extremely angry man who basically doesn't believe in anything and hates all people, falls in love (sorta, kinda) with Rachel Evan Wood's character...she runs away from home and ends up at Larry David's house...yes. Larry David is a good 40 years older...yes, that is weird and gross on a couple levels. Let's move on...their whole relationship seems contrived and there really is no chemistry between the two...of course the end comes and everyone gets thrown a little curveball. The ending by the way isn't that great and I found it to be unbelievable and abrupt...but the movie as a whole was pretty funny. Larry David had the best lines, many times talking directly to the audience which I do like, but Woody Allen did it better in "Annie Hall." And generally speaking, angry people ranting about everything they can think of is pretty amusing for me...but Woody Allen could have done better...and the fact he is 73 is no excuse. A certain Clint Eastwood is nearing 80 and still making wonderful movies (yes, I would call "Changeling" and "Gran Torino" both wonderful. If you haven't seen them yet...what are you waiting for? Just do it....two of the best movies of 2008 in my opinion).

-Joseph Sbrilli