MOVIE REVIEW
WHATEVER WORKS
Despite his bookish looks and shy demeanour, Director Woody Allen is the last of the original Tinseltown mavericks. Learning early about the machinations of the Hollywood system, his determination to maintain complete creative autonomy kept him in good stead. Still gleefully bucking the trend, Whatever Works continues defiance against commercial formula with a heady mix of quirky comedy and biting drama.
Boris Yelnikoff (Larry David) is a neurotic New York chess teacher devoid of charm. Always happy to insult his clients and the few friends who put up with him, his life is on a ticket to nowhere. Suddenly entering the fray is Melody (Evan Rachel Wood), a young runaway eager to start afresh. Inviting her into his home, Boris does not know of the tribulations about to occur that will rattle his very peculiar existence.
Returning to New York after his foreign based movie quartet, Woody Allen's latest is perhaps the most optimistic. You'd be forgiven for thinking this isn't the case due to Larry David's grouchy character, who is a thinly veiled Allen persona. Although initially a rather unpleasant individual, Boris' weaknesses are there to be unearthed as he attempts to fight against the randomness of life. Whether fate or blind luck guides people, Allen attempts to convey that formalised structure to daily lives is impossible due to unforseen circumstances.
Like most of his recent output, Whatever Works often resembles Allen's penchant for presenting a dark fable rather than genuine comedy. Rarely is it said that a film isn't long enough. Whatever Works could have benefited from some more character moments as what's on offer doesn't quite make for a wholly satisfying experience. It seems to finish just as events become really engrossing, but maybe that's the showman in Allen wanting to leave his audience asking for more.
Perhaps since the early 90's, Woody Allen's movies have varied in quality with his personal life often overshadowing his work. Although some films have made it difficult to distinguish between the two, Whatever Works finds that perhaps even old Hollywood rebels can eventually mellow.
Movie Review Rating 7 / 10
Movie Review by Patrick Moore
Whatever Works released in Australia on Thursday 15th Ocotber 2009.
If you have any comments to make about this Movie Review, then please use the comment box, titling your comments with Movie Review WHATEVER WORKS
Patrick Moore's Movie Review is an alternative look at current movie releases in Australia.
Boris Yelnikoff (Larry David) is a neurotic New York chess teacher devoid of charm. Always happy to insult his clients and the few friends who put up with him, his life is on a ticket to nowhere. Suddenly entering the fray is Melody (Evan Rachel Wood), a young runaway eager to start afresh. Inviting her into his home, Boris does not know of the tribulations about to occur that will rattle his very peculiar existence.
Returning to New York after his foreign based movie quartet, Woody Allen's latest is perhaps the most optimistic. You'd be forgiven for thinking this isn't the case due to Larry David's grouchy character, who is a thinly veiled Allen persona. Although initially a rather unpleasant individual, Boris' weaknesses are there to be unearthed as he attempts to fight against the randomness of life. Whether fate or blind luck guides people, Allen attempts to convey that formalised structure to daily lives is impossible due to unforseen circumstances.
Like most of his recent output, Whatever Works often resembles Allen's penchant for presenting a dark fable rather than genuine comedy. Rarely is it said that a film isn't long enough. Whatever Works could have benefited from some more character moments as what's on offer doesn't quite make for a wholly satisfying experience. It seems to finish just as events become really engrossing, but maybe that's the showman in Allen wanting to leave his audience asking for more.
Perhaps since the early 90's, Woody Allen's movies have varied in quality with his personal life often overshadowing his work. Although some films have made it difficult to distinguish between the two, Whatever Works finds that perhaps even old Hollywood rebels can eventually mellow. Movie Review Rating 7 / 10
Movie Review by Patrick Moore
Whatever Works released in Australia on Thursday 15th Ocotber 2009.
If you have any comments to make about this Movie Review, then please use the comment box, titling your comments with Movie Review WHATEVER WORKS
Patrick Moore's Movie Review is an alternative look at current movie releases in Australia.
No comments:
Post a Comment