Whatever Works

Release Year: 2009
Review: This film is pure, unadulterated, Woody Allen. Every single one of Allen's favorite motifs are crammed into this little gem of a comedy. Oozing with his signature style, Allen has gone back to his roots filming in Manhattan and proving to all the doubters that he still, unquestionably, has the comic genius that he had when he began his career four decades ago. Perhaps the days of Allen acting out his neurotic, self-deprecating, pessimistic character are over, but he has found the perfect replacement in Larry David who carries the torch admirably. Some of the acting seemed a bit stiff, and the entire film felt more like a theater production, but it doesn't matter. It's all about the dialog and the wit, intelligence and cynicism with which Allen writes penetrates through and dominates. It's as if all the philosophy Allen has ever tried to convey about love and life in his past works was all tied up in a neat little package in this film and it can all be boiled down to 'Whatever Works'.
Rating: 5/5