'Whatever Works' doesn't for Woody Allen
After making four films in Europe, Woody Allen returned to his usual Manhattan haunts with "Whatever Works." Critics were dismissive of this pairing of curmudgeon Larry David ("Curb Your Enthusiasm") and free spirit Evan Rachel Wood ("The Wrestler"). "Whatever Works" managed a mere 44 at Meta Critic and 53 at Rotten Tomatoes.
For his 40th film as a director, Woody Allen dusted off a three-decade-old script he had written for Zero Mostel, his costar from 1976's "The Front." However, as Claudia Puig of USA Today noted, "One would think Allen had worked though his
on-screen fascination with the older man-young girl scenario by now.
This latest exploration just feels derivative and musty. Allen is like
a miner doggedly re-combing every inch of the Manhattan landscape for
comic gold."
The critical indifference to "Whatever Works" stands in marked contrast to the enthusiastic reception for last year's "Vicky Cristina Barcelona." That film rated a solid 70 at Meta Critic with the final score including a string of raves as well as several pans that skewed the aggregate number downwards. And it earned an even more impressive 82 at Rotten Tomatoes.
While Woody Allen missed out on a 15th Oscar writing nomination, Penelope Cruz became the 15th performer to earn an Oscar nod under Allen's direction. And she was the fourth of Woody's women to win when she took the supporting actress Academy Award for her serio-comic portrayal of a woman on the verge.
The other three actresses who owe their Oscars to Woody Allen are: Diane Keaton, lead actress, "Annie Hall" (1977); Mira Sorvino, supporting actress, "Mighty Aphrodite" (1995); and Dianne Wiest, supporting actress, "Hannah and Her Sisters" (1986) and "Bullets Over Broadway" (1994). Michael Caine — supporting actor, "Hannah and Her Sisters" (1986) — is the only man to be directed to an Oscar by Allen.
The 10 more who earned Oscar nods are: Woody himself, lead actor, "Annie Hall" (1977); Judy Davis, supporting actress, "Husbands and Wives" (1992); Mariel Hemingway, supporting actress, "Manhattan" (1979); Martin Landau, supporting actor, "Crimes and Misdemeanors" (1989); Samantha Morton, supporting actress, "Sweet and Lowdown" (1999); Geraldine Page, lead actress, "Interiors" (1978); Chazz Palminteri, supporting actor, "Bullets Over Broadway" (1994); Sean Penn, lead actor "Sweet and Lowdown" (1999); Maureen Stapleton, supporting actress, "Interiors" (1978); and Jennifer Tilly, supporting actress, "Bullets Over Broadway" (1994).
Woody Allen was at one time a perennial Oscar nominee. After ignoring him throughout the first decade of his blazing career ("Bananas," "Sleeper"), members more than caught up with him afterward. Allen holds the record for most screenplay nominations (14), compared with 12 for Billy Wilder. However, both Allen and Wilder have 21 nominations overall. And while Wilder won six Oscars for his efforts — screenplay, directing, "The Lost Weekend" (1946); screenplay, "Sunset Boulevard" (1951); screenplay, directing, producing, "The Apartment" (1961) — Allen has three Oscars for writing and directing 1977 best picture champ "Annie Hall." and for his 1986 script for "Hannah and Her Sisters."
Perhaps Woody Allen's next film, which shoots in London this summer, will bring him better luck. Freida Pinto — the love interest in the Oscar-winning "Slumdog Millionaire," — is the latest young beauty to be cast as Woody Allen's muse. Pinto joins Oscar winner Anthony Hopkins ("The Silence of the Lambs") and Oscar nominees Josh Brolin ("Milk") and Naomi Watts for this untitled project.
'Bruno' premieres in London to raucous reception and rave reviews
Can 'The Hangover' cure the awards curse for comedies?
Leonardo DiCaprio showcased by Martin Scorsese in 'Shutter Island'
Eminem finally admits MTV Movie Awards ambush was a stunt
Photo: SPC
Get Gold Derby on Twitter. Join the Gold Derby Group at Facebook. Become friends with Tom O'Neil on Facebook. Get Gold Derby RSS feed via Facebook. RSS Feedburner. RSS Atom.
Woody Allen is a cynical con artist, trying to engage us in this banal, boring movie with stock characters and stock pseudo-philosophical dribble, lacking bite and irony with no surprises. It just makes us feel had.
Posted by: sara nicoll | July 26, 2009 at 04:18 AM
@Pecos45 - you seem to just not understand anything. stop reading tabloids and try to enjoy something. by the way, learn something new. andré previn is soon yi's adopted father, not woody allen. woody allen was never her father or a father figure. and your analysis of his movies is far beyond truth. if you even tried to watch his movies you would learn this as well. there has been only 1 movie that fits into your idea that his movies revolve around "old man-much younger woman" scenario. 1 out of 42. I hope this doesn't make you feel stupid because I am sure you already know that fact.
Posted by: jaredjt | July 04, 2009 at 08:52 AM
Woody Allen was boring 20 films ago. He makes the same thing over and over again. Every now and then I catch one on cable, and invariably turn it off. So boring! Maybe he should be a cobbler.
Posted by: Tom L | June 19, 2009 at 09:39 PM
And someone tell Freida Pinto to run for her life!!!
That old pervert will have his grimy hands all over that girl.
Enough of this guy already.
Posted by: Pecos45 | June 19, 2009 at 01:47 PM
Am I the only person who has come to the conclusion that Woody Allen is a pervert?
Besides his sick affair with his adopted daughter, he now makes a regular plot of his movies to be old man-much younger woman.
Would someone please alert the authorities???
Posted by: Pecos45 | June 19, 2009 at 01:44 PM
Is Woody the director with the most wins for actresses?
Who gets the overall prize for most actors/actresses winning from their films?
Posted by: Matt Mazur | June 19, 2009 at 11:19 AM