Larry David Hits the Big Screen

Calling all Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm fans, Larry David (Boris Yellnikoff ) is on the big screen starring in Woody Allen’s new film, “Whatever Works.” He plays the main character; a self-centered, egotistical, neurotic, pessimistic, socially inept genius, who falls so hard for a much younger girl, Evan Rachel Wood (Melodie) that he, marries her. The film is focused on the idea that in life you should handle situations with the attitude; ‘whatever works’ as its okay, as long as no one gets hurt.

Woody Allen returns to his favorite ‘film theme,’ older neurotic guys with younger girlfriends. The story has been told many times before in countless Allen films however, this time casting Larry David as the lead seems to give the idea a new twist. He’s actually wonderful to watch as he delivers numerous monologues explaining his persona with expert comedic pacing. Wood plays opposite David very naturally and the two of them are actually quite charming. The script is hysterical and fans will rejoice to see David in action on screen.

The film begins by giving us the back story of Boris and his previous marriage and personal issues. He was once married to a wealthy lady and had what he described as a ‘near perfect match of a partner’. Too perfect for his taste; he divorced and began living a bohemian existence near China Town in New York City. He meets Melodie in front of his house and she begs him to take her inside as she has run away from her home in the South to try and make it on her own in the big city of New York. Melodie is actually wearing her High School letter jacket; one can’t help but wonder where her parents are or what her story is all about as it appears she has just left cheerleading practice. We don’t have long to wait as she explains everything and before you can say ‘gee you look way too young for this guy’ the couple is married.

Both are blissfully happy together as each cares for the other. Boris passes on his intellectual thoughts and opinions as Melodie cooks and takes care of Boris’s hypochondriac tendencies.  All is heaven, until Melodie’s mother, the southern prim and proper Patricia Clarkson shows up. Next mom moves in and begins spending lots of time with Melody as her motive is to steer her away from Boris. Mom begins a photography career and suddenly decides that she finds inspiration in Boris’s friend from the art gallery. So, she decides to move in with the new friend and live the New York ‘artsy’ life. (I’m not sure why Allen repeated the ‘burgeoning photographer theme’ as this was seen in “Vicky Christina Barcelona” with Scarlet Johansson’s character as the wide-eyed, ‘new photographer character’.

With all Allen films more characters emerge and the next one happens to be Dad! A remorseful Ed Begley Jr. manages to find his missing wife and daughter and joins in the New York big city scene. All whilst the story continues showing us non-stop comical monologue by David.  He continually talks to anyone who will listen in the film, at one point he begins to stare out into the theater and talks to the audience.

Bottom -line, Larry David and Woody Allen fans should jump aboard this New York setting film. It’s a first class ride.

Sarah Adamson © 2009