Whatever Works – Blu-ray Review
The Film:
Not that my new friend, Boris Yellnikoff (Larry David) and I, expect you all to understand, since we’re geniuses, but you inchworms might just outright dismiss Woody Allen’s latest film, Whatever Works, for a few reasons right off the bat. It’s true that this film isn’t as fresh and fun as his past efforts, and feels like a letdown after last year’s Vicky Cristina Barcelona, but that doesn’t matter. It’s whatever works. Allen directs once again in New York, a city he’s made famous in his films on relationships, so in Whatever Works, those themes return.
Boris is Allen’s alter ego played pitch-perfect by Curb Your Enthusiasm’s Larry David, who takes Allen’s neurosis, stuttering, wordage to a whole new level. Boris is the only person who can see everything clearly (sounds like me, when reviewing films-I kid, I kid). He’s caustic and pessimistic, but a new friend I will have around. It’s not like I had to succumb to his ideologies on religion, relationships, and the meaningless of life, because I already knew those things, he just reinforces it. Of course, many of you won’t like his outlook, but that’s why you’re a simpleton (his words, not mine-I love my loyal readers). Larry David just engulfs Woody’s words, and cracks them into his own neurotic ways that will make for some really funny moments. This film is funny, mark my words.
Boris is the film’s center of the universe, and the randomness is part of the fun in the film, while reiterating his ideas. Evan Rachel Wood is damn good here too, playing the younger, beautiful, lover of Boris. She’s almost too innocent and naive to fully understand his ideas, but she just excepts that he’s a genius and she might not ever understand his logic, but blindly listens. Their relationship mirrors Allen’s, as the script was written in the 70s, prior to his own controversial marriage. Hmm, but it matters not, because Boris viewpoints, and perhaps Allen’s own, on love and relationships are about the randomness of it all. Whatever works.
I will say that in comparison to his last film, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, this film lacks a fully developed story, as this story just meanders to and fro softly, and while David and Wood are good, they are over-shadowed by the powerful performances of Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem in that film. Again, that film felt like it had more to say, but Allen is in his 70s now, and it’s more than worthwhile to just roll with a master and listen. That’s whatever works. The film has the Allen character here with Larry David, and he narrates the story, even sometimes breaking the fourth wall. There’s love and lovemaking, relationship talk, and humor. So it can be viewed as a stiff, retreat for Allen, but I don’t think that was Allen’s motivation to make this film. I don’t think he was like, “How do I top Vicky Cristina Barcelona?” Well, you don’t. If you’re him, you do what you do best; talk and be humorous about relationships, it’s whatever works.
The Blu-ray:
Audio/Video: Sony offers us a decent looking Blu-ray. Woody Allen will never be considered a visual artist, so it should be no surprise that Whatever Works looks decent, but not amazing on Blu. Colors are muted, but well reproduced, and contrast is high, but expect a few soft scenes. It won’t blow your mind, but it’s sufficient. The audio, while DTS, is front and dialogue heavy. Little to no rear activity, and little bass, but again, Allen is about dialogue, and never constructs an audio assault. Keeping in those expectations, Sony delivers a good disc.
Again, like other Woody Allen films, he offers no extras. There are two Trailers for Whatever Works and An Education.
Conclusion: I just love how bitter Larry David is in this film. It’s funny, yet cranky. Allen fans should like it, and casual fans should rent first.
The Film: Rating: 
The Blu-ray: Rating:
