Larry David,
Evan Rachel Wood,
Ed Begley Jr,
Patricia Clarkson,
Conleth Hill
... see more 
Woody Allen writes and directs this "blackish comedy" about an eccentric upper-class New Yorker (Larry David) who abandons his comfortable lifestyle in favor of leading a more bohemian existence. Afte... read more
Directed by: Woody Allen
Release Date: June 19, 2009
Keywords:
funny,
woody allen,
larry david,
evan rachel,
rachel wood,
Woody Allen ,
Larry David ,
Evan Rachel Wood,
Whatever Works
DVD Release Date: October 27, 2009
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Stats: 2,757 reviews
Your Rating
Flixster Reviews (2,757)
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January 8, 2012Larry David stars in this Woody Allen off beat comedy. Based in New York, an upper class guy leaves his wife for a more chilled out existence. He befriends and helps a homeless girl and his life changes again. Interesting characters.
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July 10, 2011While I don't believe ANY of the things in the movie would ever happen (other than because the script said so) I can't say I wasn't entertained, and I can't say I didn't laugh. I was and did on both counts.
If you're in the mood for a giggle, check it out but only if you haven't... read more -
July 2, 2011Mom: Where should I go for fun with my daughter?
Boris: Holocaust Museum!
I liked it. Mainly because I'm a fan of David's show Curb Your Enthusiasm. Some parts I laughed so hard I was crying. Highly recommended if you are a fan of David or Woody Allen. -
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February 20, 2011This isn't as bad as I was led to believe, but it's not terrible either. Honestly, I think the only major problem (but it's a big one) is that Woody is just way too out of touch with the world. Either that, or we as a society went off the rails at some point, and are the wrong on... read more
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February 7, 2011Larry David is my hero, if I didn't know better I would think he was my father and somehow there was a terrible administrative mistake back in Hammersmith in the late 70's. Unlikely, if not, impossible though. I like Woody Allen most of the time but many of his film I've always t... read more
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December 23, 2010Another thoroughly enjoyable film from the great Woody Allen and one which is brilliantly written, witty and incredibly insightful. A film which is back to his usual New York setting and contains a brilliant performance by Evan Rachel Wood. Full credit goes to Allen for casting... read more
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November 28, 2010Felt like old school misanthropic Allen filtered through David, his obvious modern day cipher. Some whip smart lines and able support from Clarkson help to balance the implausible central relationship between David and Wood, and Wood is sweetly charming. Trite ending is a cop out... read more
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November 2, 2010I have to see it again, but I say that for Woody Allen and Larry David, this is B+ because it's solid but exactly what you'd expect, no avant garde surprises. Definitely funny and well worth watching. Imagine Allen directs David in a post post-modern spin of Manhattan. It's 92 mi... read more
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August 21, 2010"I don't have anywhere to go. And if you throw me out and I wind up an Asian prostitute, that's gonna be on your conscience."
Whatever Works may be a clunker, but it's a charming clunker. I expected a pairing between Woody Allen and Larry David to be an absolute home-run, especi... read more
Critic Reviews
October 15, 2009
Ruth Hessey, MovieTime, ABC Radio National
July 7, 2009
Joe Baltake, Passionate Moviegoer
Woody's latest shrewdly upends the filmmaker's own comic pessimisms Full Review
July 3, 2009
Lisa Kennedy, Denver Post
After the fiercely enjoyable Vicky Christina Barcelona, this return to New York City is a letdown, though not without a few charms. Full Review
July 3, 2009
Tom Long, Detroit News
The result is a witty, well-played work without an adequate center. If you can get past that, Whatever Works does. Full Review
July 3, 2009
Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune
Whatever Works isn't topnotch Woody Allen, but it's still immensely funny. Full Review
July 3, 2009
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel
Whatever Works isn't deep, but with Grandpa Woody, you accept the warmed over, the recycled, just relieved he hasn't made a spectacle of himself. Full Review
July 2, 2009
Ann Hornaday, Washington Post
This toxic, contemptuous, unforgivably unfunny bagatelle finds Allen at his most misanthropically one-note. Full Review
June 26, 2009
Tom Maurstad, Dallas Morning News
The dialogue is forced and stagey, the actions as predictable as they are improbable and the insights little more than dusty clichés.
June 26, 2009
J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader
It never registers as more than a writer's conceit. Full Review
June 26, 2009
Peter Howell, Toronto Star
We've seen this kind of May-December setup in many Allen movies, but this one follows a less predictable path and with more amusing secondary characters. Full Review
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Whatever Works
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