Stale retread of previous films, the humor and the characters feel dated. The only surprising thing was listening to such banal dialog issuing from the mouth of Larry David, who I associate with much sharper and fresher observations.

I'm a huge Woody Allen fan and I think this is the best film he's done since his 80's heydays. Larry David is brilliant and I was laughing right from the start and kept laughing throughout. Some people were turned off by the pessimism of the Larry David character, but being a pessimist myself I could relate and thought he was hilarious. I liked it even better than Vicki Christina Barcelona or Point Blank - the other two great recent Woody films.… Expand

I enjoyed every minute.

An excellent Woody Allen film. He seems to go back to his routes with the dry humor about how life is terrible and everyone on this planet stinks. Great movie.

I smiled all the way through. Witty, surprising, easy to watch, and refreshing. Also, for whatever it is worth, there is a lot of sex appeal.

I really feel like maybe this movie got one bad review, and then all the other critics just decided to follow suit. I agree with Norm that this is one of the best Woody Allen movies I've ever seen. Still laughing about some of it the next day.

Not too bad. You gotta like Allen's New York angst to enjoy Larry David as his mouthpiece. As always, Woody's New York looks like a great place to have brunch. Don't understand why one critic called the movie 'sour'. It's sweeter than most Allen movies.

If originality is your thing, then this film is not for you. However, if you think it is Woody Allen's right to remind us -- over and over again -- to protect ourselves from the temptations of nihilism, then "Whatever Works" was made for you. Besides it is very, very funny, sweet and - if that wasn't enough, it is a blue, New York, grenade aimed at the stereotypical heart of red America.… Expand

The Allen mix of cynicism and warmth plays so well with a superb cast making the most of NYC's magiic affect on even the most sarcastic.

Perhaps the worst Woody Allen movie ever. Plot points make no sense: Larry David takes in a homeless girl for no conceivable reason; another man falls and stays deeply in love with her without cause; a woman falls in love with David's character because he falls on her while trying to commit suicide . Southerners are caricatures not characters. And it is unfunny throughout. Even the philosophy and physics he references is more or less out of date. As a number of reviewers mention, _Whatever Works_ is a return to his roots, but this has more to do with Allen's being out of ideas then it is about him updating his classics.… Expand

Whatever Works 2009 Allen’s new film presents a plot deals with the role of luck and the unremitting bleakness of human existence (with humorous and New York(ish )Woody Allen point of view) It follows in the long line of romantic sex comedies with the usual existential ranting that only Mr. Allen has been able to create and sustain. Attempting to impress his ideologies on religion, relationships, and the randomness (and worthlessness) of existence, lifelong New York resident Boris Yellnikoff rants to anyone who will listen, including the audience. But when he begrudgingly allows naive Mississippi runaway Melodie St. Ann Celestine to live in his apartment, his reclusive rages give way to an unlikely friendship and Boris begins to mold the impressionable young girl's worldly views to match his own. When it comes to love, "whatever works" is his motto, but his already perplexed life complicates itself further when Melodie's parents eventually track her down. The critics have been overly harsh regarding this film. It seems to me the age of professional movie reviews is gone. All I read is hate hate hate about Woody Allen yet critics drool over a stupid psychopathic movie like No Country For Old Men. This film is Allen’s best feature since Match Point and his most effective pure comedy in a dozen years. What a genius of a movie to put Larry David in the role of Woody’s personal alter ego as Boris Yellinkoff. ("I'm not a likable guy) The truth is, no matter how misanthropic, sarcastic and neurotic Woody Allen is, he ultimately is a pretty likable personality. Allen's return to Manhattan after three stays in London and a wonderful Barcelona film is yet another great Woody Allen comedy. Allen and Larry David Fans will find plenty to laugh at here, while others will inevitability whine and whimper- I hate Woody Allen! I hate Woody Allen! Don't believe the negative reviews. It's the funniest one from Woody Allen in many years. There were many criticisms of Larry Davids hard-edged savagery Yellinikoff’s line readings. Some felt it threw the film out of balance. Most of the negative reviews thus far have complained that Allen made David's character is "too unlikable" or "unsympathetic." They're missing the point entirely. There is a recording playing in the opening credits, Groucho Marx singing "Hello, I Must Be Going"; Boris Yellnikoff is the kind of sharp-witted, bitter, muttering guy that Groucho or W.C. Fields used to play. Both of those character comics were huge early influences on Allen in his early films. When he wrote this script in the early 70’s, he saw Mostel as the same kind of bigger-than-life comic personality, and wrote the role accordingly. W.C. Fields' character was that of a drunken gambler who hated dogs, loathed his wife, and kicked children. Groucho's was a quick-witted con man who talked fast and insulted everyone in sight. Did anyone ever complain about how unsympathetic they were? No, because they were funny. So is Boris. So is Whatever Works, though it may be somewhat uneven. On the contrary I found David’s role and character hysterically funny and with great irony. It is kind of a deadpan surliness. Allen's ideas here are retreads - depending on how much this 1970s script wasn't rewritten – But for those who enjoy the Woody Allen experience, "Whatever Works" is comfortable enough. Other critics have pointed out the films weakness’s (and there are some-The ending was almost an assault on our intelligence). What makes this film interesting is that this is old-school Woody. This is a 70’s Allen script of which the period is commonly referred to (even mockingly by Allen himself, in Stardust Memories) as his "earlier, funnier movies." Does it hold up, comparatively, to his other films of that era (Sleeper, Love and Death, Bananas)? Not especially; But is it funny? Certainly. The film has a surprisingly optimistic ending (for a Woody Allen movie!!) Allen has written and directed over 40 films in his lifetime completely outside of the movie studio establishment. I think we should celebrate America’s greatest film maker. I like this film and lot and I laughed a lot!… Expand

After the highs of Vicky Christina Barcelona, this was a massive disappointment and possibly the worst Woody Allen movie I've seen. Ludicrous premise, stale and cynical narrative, lack of laughs and genuinely poor acting. Genuinely dreadful. Avoid.

Interesting vintage style Woody Allen film, rather typical in his unique style. Very entertaining and well written. I do feel the cast lacked spark, with the exception of Patricia Clarkson. Evan Rachel Wood’s character needed and actress with more depth, I couldn’t help but think how incredible Amy Adamas would have been.

Feels very woody allen like of course and with a dash of Larry davids Curb charactor. Certainly watchable if you enjoy Curb or Woodies works. NOTHING

Ignore the reviews. This film is excellent. The best Woody Allen film in 20 years. If you love Woody and you love Larry David, there is no way you won't love this film.

I thoroughly enjoyed this film! Yes it does seem like Mr. Allen wrote it originally as a play, but so what. Whatever Works worked for me.

Yes, it's a reprise of all you've already seen and heard from Allen and David. So it's not the cutting edge of cinema. But it is still one of the very few charming, entertaining films of a year already half over.

Do not believe the critic reviews--judging from the roaring laughter in the theater, a good time was had by all!

One of his best works in a decade. A sweet, funny movie that is a great follow-up to Vicky Christina Barcelona. A pure celebration of life. I really am loving his new direction in comedy. Two very good films in a row. (The later even better than the first). Evan Rachel Wood performance is impeccable and to my surprise Larry David exceeded my expectations, and was a joy to watch.

Brilliant movie, beautiful, well-integrated story, fabulously funny lines and characters, basically optimistic, romantic, even mystical. this film in tradition of broadway danny rose. woody's a genius!!!!!

The critical critics, and there are many, complain about all the talk...talk...talk...talk. I say funny...funny...funny...funny. "Whatever Works" is the funniest Woody Allen movie ever. At least that is how I feel today, an hour after seeing it. Sure the familiar theme of the old guy hooking up with the young women is there (Without it we would suspect it wasn't really a Woody Allen film). Larry David, with Woody's script, is terrific and does the best job I have ever seen of breaking the "4th wall." He does some hilarious talking to the audience which only he sees (because he is the only one smart enough to see the "big picture.") Evan Rachel Wood brings a break out comedic performance. Patrica Clarkson (always solid) takes advantage of her wide range of acting chops. Supposedly written in the '70s "Whatever Works" has been fine tuned for 2009 (with references to automatic flushing toilets; and a black president).… Expand

Loved the movie. We saw it in N.Y. and can't figure out why it hasn't played in the S.F. Bay Area.

Extremely poor self-indulgent film. There is no "philosophy" - it's just justification as to why an old man (Woody) can use the life of a naive, lost youngster (Soon Yi) and then rationalize the bad, selfish, hedonistic behavior. The critics were dead on accurate. This film should just be titled "the whole world is an orgy of infidelity, just relax and enjoy." The on stage move to camera was ridiculous and doesn't work. The story is absurdly predictable. I give it a 1 for the fact that it had a few funny lines but that is it. People are dumber than a bag of bricks and if Larry David is in it and it has a few lines, then it's "genius." I got it. Go rent a porno and you'll be more satisfied than this tripe.… Expand

Time's review is correct, it is a life affirming film and very funny.

Finally a movie that has made Cube look like quality entertainment. Perhaps like me you saw the previews and thought, hey, what a witty film! Don't worry, you just saw the only four funny lines in the film. Whatever Works should have been advertised as lite porn for octogenarians, and even they might get turned off by the incessant yammering spewed from Bore_us that passes for...intellectual charm? There's only so much poorly phrased "quantum mechanics" based put-downs a person can tolerate from a liberal arts major. Perhaps Melody isn't the only one who could stand to benefit from some college courses. But don't misunderstand, it's not just bad wording this film suffers from. Nor is it the fact that the main character is an opportunistic pedophile, or that all of the women are just waiting to get it on with multiple men (and I use that term loosely as there is only one hot man in the entire film). It's the complete flaunting of religion, life purpose, and basic human decency responsibility. Instead of fathers being fathers you get sex crazed closet homosexuals; instead of mothers being mothers you get promiscuous pimps that are OK with their daughters being whores to older men but really would prefer shallower jerks with nicer exteriors. And instead of younger women being intelligent, responsible, or even mildly desirous of having children you get brainless ditzes who are not just OK with having sex, but have no other life meaning. This movie makes me want to join the American Riffle Association in case there are any zealous fans infesting my neighborhood. I'd be happy to help Woody achieve better results with these failed suicide attempts I hear he's struggling with.… Expand

Wow. i left this feeling not only cheated but depressed. allen, through the medium of an off-time, awkward larry david, throws at us about 200 reasons why we should be unhappy, panicked, depressed and worried. does allen really take us for such fools that he thinks he's the only one who can see 'the big picture' (a phrase used ad nauseam) and that we are all outside of his apartment window hopelessly banging heads with each other, clueless to the whats going beyond our own noses? god, its unspeakably self-righteous and bitter. the most self-righteous movie ever made possibly.… Expand

Any Woody Allen film is a guarantee that it's better than 90% of all the other films out there. He's back in New York and he's got Larry David in one of the most brilliant casting moves in his career, he's brought Patricia Clarkson back for another hilarious turn and with Harris Savides behind the camera how can it not be great! Come on, It's WOODY ALLEN!

This was a very funny movie. Larry David played well Larry David AKA a younger Woody Allen. The professional critics got this wrong. If you are from NYC you will LOVE this movie. Go and enjoy.

Deep philosophy hidden behind superficial humor. Great actors. One of the best American films I watched recently. Meets European quality on acting, while telling an American story.

I loved the film, and so did the audience judging the way they applauded at the end.