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Synopsis

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. —IMDb

Director

Original

Woody Allen

Actor, director, screenwriter, and playwright Woody Allen redefined film comedy during the 1970s, bringing a new measure of sophistication and personal complexity to the form. Born Allen Stewart Konigsberg in Brooklyn, NY, on December 1, 1935, he adopted his stage name at the age of 17, and in 1953 enrolled in NYU’s film program, and soon dropping out of school to begin writing for comedian David Alber. Two years later, Allen graduated to writing for television; during his five-year in television, his efforts won him an Emmy nomination. He eventually decided to try his hand as a stand-up performer. After slowly gaining a reputation on the New York-club circuit, he became a frequent talk show guest and in 1964 issued his self-titled debut comedy LP. With 1966’s What’s Up, Tiger Lily?, a puckish re-tooling of a Japanese spy thriller complete with his own story line and dubbed English dialogue, he made his directorial debut. In 1969 Allen directed two short films for a CBS television special… read more

Wall

Displaying 4 of 81 wall posts.
Picture of Jordan Kaltz

Jordan Kaltz

12May13

Offensive to all of my senses. Every character in this abhorrent, repugnant film is a fucking asshole. Horrible sets and ugly colours; this film is an embarrassment and wholly disgusting. Woody why did you put me through this heinous crime of a film? I feel like I need a long shower to wash this off. Ugh.

Picture of Jordan Kaltz

Jordan Kaltz

12May13

i'm 8 minutes through and i already have a headache

Picture of James Barrett

James Barrett

10Feb13

God I love Larry David so much. It's a shame Woody Allen drags him down so much in this.

Picture of laritza

laritza

28Dec12

pairing with annie hall as a favorite!

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Fans

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Articles

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By Carson Lund on October 20, 2012

A look at the work of cinematographer Harris Savides.

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Harris Savides 1957 - 2012

By Notebook on October 11, 2012

One of the great cinematographers has left us. Savides worked with Van Sant, James Gray, Fincher, Noah Baumbach, Sophia Coppola, and more.

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Cinematic Shrugs: Woody Allen's "Whatever Works" and Harold Ramis' "Year One"

By Daniel Kasman on June 30, 2009

Above: "Let me explain the world to you," — the directorial attidue of Woody Allen's terrific Whatever Works. Suddenly I think I may have

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Lists

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Reviews

Displaying 4 of 10

Vintage Allen is seriously...lacking

By Phoenix Rising on July 26, 2010

I’m a moderately-sized Woody Allen fan, and I can say with a modicum of authority that Whatever Works is not one of his better films. I loved the film’s running gag of breaking of the fourth wall—a…  read review

Whatever Works? I guess...

By olivia marion on July 17, 2010

Whatever Works was, in many respects, a very watchable film but in light of the fact that it’s a Woody Allen film, which I naively always expect to be wonderful…this film’s motto “whatever works” didn’t…  read review

Whatever Works

By Neo-Glo​om on January 29, 2010

After a second viewing I really warmed up to this movie. In Whatever Works, there is a lot of ground Woody Allen has clearly covered before, but there is just as much he hasn’t. I think those who feel…  read review

Bad dudes, dumb broads, what's not to love?

By Maicol Andrés Ordoñez on January 11, 2010

What I love about whatever works is that no matter how unlikeable, stupid, or whimsical the characters are they seem to truly find themselves in New York. Who is better qualified to deliver that message…  read review

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