Post by StevePulaski on Aug 28, 2011 9:23:53 GMT -5
Larry David talks to we, the viewers, in Whatever Works.
Rating: ★★★
I was just introduced to Larry David's style of comedy not too long ago because I began watching his hit HBO series Curb Your Enthusiasm consistently. In only a matter of a month, I'm just about to begin season five, and now believe that Larry David is one of the funniest comedians working today. I'm not recommending his style to just anyone because I feel that not everyone can get into Curb, or find David himself funny. If you like dry wit, awkward moments, mindless ranting, and just odd-quirks, than you may be a contender for Larry David's sense of humor.
Whatever Works was directed by Woody Allen, quite possibly one of the hardest working men in the film industry. He is prolific in his career, but because of that, a lot of his films are hit and miss works. Some can be praised, some can be panned, but most take the route or artsy and different. Whatever Works is no exception to Allen's rules.
The film focuses on grumpy genius Boris Yelnikoff (David) who walks with a limp because of a failed suicide attempt. He is hard to live with, extremely odd in his views, and is normally brutally honest to everyone. One day he stumbles upon a homeless woman named Melodie (Rachel Wood). Reluctantly taking her in for a night, which turns into weeks, Boris seems to be constantly annoyed by her, when really, he is in need for some dire company and enjoys her presence.
Melodie is a runaway because she dislikes her parents. She lived in Mississippi, and wanted to try and become lucky in New York. The girls parents, played by Patricia Clarkson and Ed Begley Jr., come at separate times in the film both equally shocked that Melodie is living with Boris. Boris and Melodie's unlikely relationship leads to marriage, also to the couple's dismay.
Whatever Works, mainly, because of its eclectic casting and their perfect fitting into their respective roles. Larry David is always cracking some sort of off color, odd, or just plain annoying joke on Curb Your Enthusiasm, and does the same here. Evan Rachel Wood, who I absolutely loved when she played the rebellious teen in Thirteen, is now all grown up and able to play roles that show off her beauty and her acting skills.
At times, Larry David stops to talk to the audience. One technique I was never fond of. There is something about film characters knowing they're putting on a show for us I don't like. I wasn't entirely consumed by the act in Ferris Bueller's Day Off, in Fight Club it didn't bother me as much as I anticipated, but here, the breakage of the fourth wall quickly becomes idiotic and unnecessary. "Hey, look it's the audience!" the film tells us frequently. Yes, we are here, now put on the movie we paid to see.
This isn't a perfect film, and at times, can be dreary and way too artsy. It's almost like it keeps trying to tell you it's an independent film in the most annoying ways. Like "Look at me! I'm different!" But because of Woody Allen practically putting himself into Larry David's character with his great writing, and a cast that does nothing but sparkle together, Whatever Works just works for the most part.
Starring: Larry David, Evan Rachel Wood, Patricia Clarkson, and Ed Begley Jr. Directed by: Woody Allen.