Comments on: Movie Review: Whatever Works

By: Joel Friedlander

Joel Friedlander — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:14:09 +0000

The Mostel thing makes perfect sense. “The Front,” came out in September, 1976 and Zero Mostel died in September, 2007, which was probably about the time that Allen finished the first rewrite of the script. I can really see Mostel in the part; he had an inherent warmth which would have changed Boris’s persona while using the same script. I wonder who the girl he imagined for the Wood part in the 1970s?

I also wonder if Allen made any real effort to update the script before he filmed? As it is, I think it would have done better at the theaters if it had been set in the 1970’s.

By: Jason Ihle

Jason Ihle — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:21:10 +0000

I agree exactly with what you said about Clarkson’s entrance into the film breathing fresh air into it exactly when it was necessary.

I don’t really care that he’s too cheap to pay for the rights to show an old film clip. If the addition of the clip adds nothing to the film but an increased budget, then what’s the point, other than for people to be able to watch and have a moment of recognition and nostalgia at seeing something they recognize.

Interesting you should note the elements that feel like the 1970s, including some of his techniques used. I learned recently that this script was written in the 70s for Zero Mostel and then shelved. When there was an impending actors strike, he pulled this one out for his next quick project.

Uneven, perhaps, slightly divorced from reality, okay. But I was thoroughly entertained by what I felt was a sharply funny script.

By: Joel Friedlander

Joel Friedlander — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:05:24 +0000

Well, courtesy of my son I was able to see “Whatever Works,” last night. I found it to be a very uneven film, although I thought that it improved as it went along. I will say this, if I was married to the Boris he would only have to throw himself out of a window if the poison I gave him didn’t work.

What was strange is that the lifestyles portrayed, such as polyandry were creatures of the 1970s and are not apparent now. Also, the Wood character, is a middle/old age fantasy that doesn’t comport with any sense of reality. Patricia Clarkson was wonderful in her role, coming in at a low ebb in the film and revitalizing it.

All in all however, I felt that the film was a look back on techniques Allen had used in the past. Note too, that he is still too cheap to pay to show an old film on television in his movie. Some things never change.

By: Joel Friedlander

Joel Friedlander — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:07:05 +0000

“Vicky Cristina Barcelona” was a well done film, or so I for one thought. I don’t know how it will hold up during repeat viewings but Penelope Cruz was terrific in her part and I look forward to seeing it again.

By: Jason Ihle

Jason Ihle — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 10:29:36 +0000

Well, I did say “mostly forgettable films”.

Match Point was not nearly as good on a second viewing. I think Jonathan Rhys Myers fails to capture the moral weight of what he’s done, whereas Martin Landau in Crimes and Misdemeanors (which I recently watched) is perfect. Okay, the latter film is meant to be self-reflective and Match Point much less so. Myers is allowed one moment of reflection immediately after the murders. Then it’s back to business as usual.

Cassandra’s Dream attempts to capture something more akin to Crimes and Misdemeanors, but it felt more like broad comedy at times. Colin Farrell’s performance was a bit to strung out.

I would say Whatever Works is better than Match Point, but the two films are so different that the comparison is rendered meaningless. I suppose I can say I enjoyed this new one more.