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Whatever Works (2009)

7.1
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Ratings: 7.1/10 from 38,981 users   Metascore: 45/100
Reviews: 148 user | 210 critic | 30 from Metacritic.com

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 ... See full summary »

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Title: Whatever Works (2009)

Whatever Works (2009) on IMDb 7.1/10

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
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Boris' Friend
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Boris' Friend
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Boris' Friend
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Boy on Street
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Boy's Mother
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Jessica
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Chess Mother
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Brockman
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Lady at Chinese Restaurant
...
...
Perry
Willa Cuthrell-Tuttleman ...
Chess Girl (as Willa Cuthrell Tuttleman)
...
Perry's Friend
...
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Storyline

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. Written by The Massie Twins

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

runaway | limp | religious | chess | religion | See more »

Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for sexual situations including dialogue, brief nude images and thematic material | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

|

Language:

Release Date:

1 July 2009 (France)  »

Also Known As:

Untitled Woody Allen Project  »

Box Office

Budget:

$15,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£72,678 (UK) (25 June 2010)

Gross:

£203,555 (UK) (2 July 2010)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

|

Sound Mix:

(Mono)

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Evan Rachel Wood mentions Plaquemine County to Larry David. Not only is there no Plaquemine County in Louisiana, but it is also the only state to not have any counties, only parishes.(Melodie mentions PC in relation to losing her virginity, growing up in Mississippi, not Louisiana.) See more »

Goofs

After Melody firsts enters Boris' apartment and is offered a can of sardines, she removes the high school jacket she is wearing. Then, after the next jump-cut, she is again shown in the process of removing the jacket. See more »

Quotes

[first lines]
Boris Yellnikoff: That's not what I'm saying, imbecile. You guys completely misrepresent my ideas, why would I even want to talk with those idiots.
Boris' Friend: Just calm down.
Boris' Friend: That's not true, Boris.
Boris Yellnikoff: No, don't tell me to calm down, I am calm. Just stop.
Boris' Friend: Don't jump on us just because we don't understand what you're saying.
Boris Yellnikoff: I didn't jump on you. It's not the idea behind Christianity I'm faulting, or Judaism, or any religion. It's the professionals who've made it into corporate business. There's big money in the ...
[...]
See more »


Soundtracks

"Buttmeat Boogie"
Written by Kent Buchanan (as Kent Bucchanon)
Performed by Kent Buchanan (as Kent Bucchanon)
Courtesy of Extreme Production Music
See more »

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User Reviews

Another really good one from Woody
28 June 2009 | by (New York, NY) – See all my reviews

Well, my first review for the IMDb. I picked one that I thought I was not going to like, but I like Woody Allen, so I gave it a shot.

I thought I would not like Whatever Works, because I read and heard some of the critics' negative reviews.

So, the first ten to fifteen minutes or so into the movie, I'm thinking that Larry David is better at improvising, as on his own show, than doing someone else's lines, albeit Woody Allen's.

But then, as usually is the case with Mr. Allen;s movies, I got hooked half way through. I got hooked because it was very well done. The story, the direction, the acting - yes, Larry David was perfect for this. It was a risky casting move on Mr. Allen's part, but it worked beautifully.

I like it also because Mr. Allen interjects philosophy in all of his movies. He courageously exposes himself, allows us to hear his thoughts and does these things by seducing us with entertainment.

Excellent work.

The only thing I wasn't crazy about was the sort of "tying up" philosophy about how we should go with whatever works. Such a happy ending. Why?

That said, id didn't interfere with my overall appreciation of the movie.


41 of 64 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

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