Reviews on movie Whatever Works (13)

I'm hooked on Woody Allen movies. The film of this talented director always poses the problems of the modern society in which we live. And these problems are always presented in a very original form.
It was no exception to the film “Be what will happen.” In this seemingly harmless comedy, a whole plateau of problems of modern society associated with family and family values is raised.

First of all, the loneliness of the modern elderly. The main character of the film, played brilliantly by Larry David, is an elderly man living alone without a wife and children. His life is doomed to a meaningless existence, which he himself, in fact, talks about all the time. And one day he meets a girl with a very musical name Malody, who is much younger than him, but who changes his life, makes it lighter, fills it with meaning.

Second, there are no boundaries. A girl, having married an elderly man, very easily allows her mother to interfere in her life and dictate what she should do and how to live.
Third, the absence of any moral principles and the corruption of modern Western society. Left without a husband, Marietta, Malody’s mother, quickly degrades as a woman and very easily leads her daughter to betrayal, and at the same time she demonstrates not the best model of behavior.
Fourth, the large age difference between spouses in the family always leads to big problems and misunderstandings. The spouse who is older is always fit to father the spouse who is younger. They have different tastes, views on life, etc.
Fifthly, the whole depraved farce of Malody’s parents is also covered with some kind of ostentatious religiosity, which comes both from Malody’s mother and from Marietta’s father, ex-husband.
And the hint of the same-sex union of men shows all modern Western pseudo-values in all their glory.
The final point about the meaninglessness of life in modern de-Christianized Western society in the film raises the question of the protagonist about the celebration of the New Year: they say, why celebrate it, if every year lived is another step to the grave?
Actors are admirable. Also struck by the presentation in the form of dialogue, which the main character of the film as if all the time leads with the camera in real time, causing misunderstanding among others who think that he talks to himself.
And in that deep black humor, it's all Woody Allen.
10 out of 10

In fact, I often go back to Woody Allen movies to enjoy a picture that's not too loaded with the plot, but also not quite a dumb "Ala American" movie. Despite the fact that the plot seems absolutely flat and uninteresting, it contains a lot of life situations. What only worth all the monologue and reflections of our main character - Boris. There's so much meaning in them and life! You could quote every word he said. But the film does not feel loaded script, everything is perceived quite easily and with humor! The script is never predictable, which I really like about Allen. You do not know what to expect at the end, it catches and you want to watch until the end and learn the fate of our main characters. I want to highlight the picture and colors in this picture. How to choose the color scheme, outfits, light, composition. It's an aesthetic pleasure! You can write a lot, it is better to watch and enjoy a pleasant "uncomplicated" film. Perhaps not everyone will like it, but those who are familiar with the work of Woody Allen will definitely appreciate another great work!

The grumpy man, a former teacher of quantum physics, fell into the margins in his old age. I don’t know what he does for a living (the film turns out that throws chess pieces at children, passing it off as private lessons), but I would also like this – a large apartment of vintage-bohemian orientation, and even in New York! With neon lights outside the windows! And the bonus to this is a very young person unexpectedly found under the stairs, quite cute, not spoiled, simple, and even offering the old man to marry him, if he does not mind.
The main attention of the viewer, of course, is focused on this extraordinary couple, but do not forget that the rest of the characters of our story are called upon to embody the main message of the film on the screen: to find yourself, your place, your fate in each specific period of your life can only go beyond your idea of the world, especially since this is your representation in fact is not yours, but the average result of the mental processes of society. Don’t think of yourself as a person no matter how old you are. Remain a mystery to yourself, although do not worry too much about solving this mystery - less classification, more openness.
I don’t think the film will make an impression if it’s taken simply as an entertaining melodrama about relationships. It will probably seem a bit far-fetched. After all, this film is a stylish philosophical reflection on life not by the rules, but by the circumstances that develop around you.

Of course, I doubt that in real life such an approach always promises good luck and a happy outcome, but let us remember that the Cinema is not a clear directive (and so everyone will jump out the windows to meet their Destiny), but only an art used to reach our unblinked inner self.
Strangely, the movie seemed short, although it lasts a good hour and a half. But, despite this “speediness”, the transformation that we see in several characters of the tape looks really natural and convincing. Who should I thank for this? Actors? Woody Allen? Or himself, who was imbued with the mood of the film, and therefore believed that everything is possible in this life?
7 out of 10

I was surprised I missed this movie. Here it was necessary somehow to pass the evening, went to see films for a movie search, went to the page of Woody Allen, one of the most beloved directors, and found that somewhere between the films of recent years and Vicky-Christina-Barcelona there is such a movie, read about the film, realized that the evening will be pleasant, at least. But it was incredible.

This film is the quintessence of the best that the director has. It’s all about him, all about his beloved New York, about the people who “fuck” and the local genius. Only in this city you can instantly become a famous fashion photographer, quickly change your gender preferences. Heroes live, fall in love, philosophize. Their lives change rapidly, and Woody Allen talks about it as something taken for granted and everyday, but, as always, he does it eccentricly.
Yes, and, of course, there is a wonderful cast here, and most of the artists I just did not know, and that is good: no associations with the previous roles did not arise.
It was a great night, a great movie!

Translators-localizers strike another blow. Of course, I understand that Whatever Works is quite difficult to translate, but still you need to somehow adjust the title to the main idea of the film ... and so it turned out that. But unfortunately, nothing unusual.

So, the original title perfectly reflects my perception of the film. How convenient, as you like, and I somehow miss it. I was not impressed, not struck or touched by the style of presentation and storytelling, I was not interested in metaphors, hyperboles and other techniques, I did not like the exaggerated misanthropy of the main character, the bloated dull head of the main character, and the sharp metamarphoses of secondary characters (although they were quite funny and unexpected). In fact, there is only one character in the film that is absolutely not distorted – the hero of Henry Cavill. Although, to the credit of the creator, he does not look like an alien in the midst of the theatrical madness taking place on the screen.
The acting is excellent, as always with Allen, everything is perfectly filmed and staged, the plot is set out consistently, without any confusion, having a clearly defined beginning and ending. All this makes the film quite watchable and somewhere pleasant. Overall, I was not very satisfied.

6 out of 10

You have to understand that Woody Allen and his films have long been a touching warmth. This is where perception takes place. Either you dip into it every time with your head, and you come out all the sparkling in the rhinestones, or you make a dull face and extend "well, normal, but I didn't understand." Sometimes it seems to me that Woody has a special magic wand, with which he comes to the set, fascinates everyone around and they just begin to live the story that they came to shoot. And no scripts, productions, fictions, the classic “I do not believe!”. It turns out that way – subtle, loud, strange, passionate, vital and not very, but certainly brilliant and recognizable. After all, the author is one of the most recognizable by the work of the director. Film artist. I love this movie because I see the cynicism in almost everyone, but I still believe in miracles. Especially in the miracle of human communication. Look, communicate, feel, wrap yourself in your life like a cozy cloak, do what you have to do and be what happens. Because in the end, everything will still be cool (at least, this idea will come to your mind after watching).

"Be what happens" is an ironic, comedic melodrama directed by Woody Allen in 2009. I love this director's films. You watch them and you rest. Woody's films are always full of irony, sarcasm and incredible, comic situations. This movie was very unexpected, pleasant and witty.
We see in this story an eccentric, elderly Boris, who sheltered in his apartment a young provincial woman who had nowhere to live. We see the history of their communication and incredible, further events that are intricate and intertwined, pushing the characters to their true destiny.
I was happy with this movie. Several times I could not help laughing. Cinema is as ironic and witty as it always is in Woody Allen movies. In this comedy, interesting, philosophical themes are revealed, and all this is done easily and amusingly purely in the style of this famous director. The script was extraordinary, rich and sometimes unexpected, so it was interesting to watch, but this movie is of course for an amateur, and it can be enjoyed far at all. This film will appeal only to those who love and appreciate the work of Woody Allen.
Woody himself could play the main role, because the role was directly written for him and suited him 100 percent, but the director gave it to Larry David, and this elderly actor played Boris very funny and talented. I never really liked Evan Rachel Wood. She is always clearly negative roles, but in this film she played a stupid girl who was able to develop and become a real person thanks to her experienced, elderly and intelligent husband. Wood played well, extremely emotional and funny, and I appreciated her performance. As is always the case in Woody Allen's films, the end is impossible to guess, and this film has a couple of unexpected surprises for the viewer. “Be what will happen” is a film for those who love the stories of emotional trials, human values and thoughts, reasoning and incredible, comic situations that will mix and fill the films of this director with positive.
P.S. "Happy birthday, Boris! Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday Boris.
8 out of 10

Boris is a strange man who arrives in the firm belief that all his actions are being watched on the other side of the screen. A failed genius, once a talented physicist, now a completely disillusioned person in life, always murmuring and building great theories about the universe. Most of all, he probably lacks a listener: preferably young and inexperienced, so that without hesitation he believed Boris and even applied his theory in practice. Therefore, when a girl from the province suddenly appears near Boris's house, catching every word of a new acquaintance - the lives of both change dramatically. Boris, no matter how tedious and bad a person may seem, still brings to light a stream of common sense. In his face Woody Allen contained a collective way of life of people: not too old, but already reached the age when favorite activities are instructions and memories. By the mouth of Boris in the moments of addressing the audience, Woody Allen himself verbs. These truths come as if from the height of a person who has already seen a lot, and at the end came to an unequivocal conclusion, with which it is very difficult to argue: do what you think is necessary and be what happens.
“Be what happens” is not just a title, it’s a slogan under which the whole film runs, from beginning to end. If in the first minutes you do not understand what this refers to at all, then in the middle it is as if you say these words to yourself. Film in the style of Dale Carnegie - the author of wonderful books about the human structure in society and the world as a whole. This film, like an appendix to the works of the writer, makes you think about yourself and throw away unnecessary prejudices. Perhaps “Be what happens” and goes a long way in its philosophy of life, but in general the ideas of Allen and Carnegie are very close.
“Be what will happen” has a calm, measured beginning. Many may find it too tedious and insufficiently meaningful. After all, events do not begin to develop immediately: they are preceded by a dialogue in a cafe and memories of the time spent by Boris in marriage. Boris himself at first does not cause much sympathy, as, indeed, the rest of the characters of the film. This tape of Woody Allen, although full of dialogue, but not a huge amount of humor to treat the film as an easy entertainment movie. At the same time, “Be what will happen” contains other undeniable virtues for which the film is really worth watching: just to calm down and start living.

Woody Allen's 2009 film is both typical and unusual. The director invites us to a direct dialogue with the main character - to communicate with him, listen to his problems and draw our own conclusions, NOT to help Boris, but to put everything in place exclusively for himself, since Boris has long decided everything.
The beginning of the film gives us initial indications that Boris came to the conclusion that his marriage to an intelligent, beautiful and successful woman was too perfect, and, in fact, too correct - to a degree of formality and obviousness. I have no idea what he was counting on with his worldview, and I believe that his first marriage was for him happiness and the only way to perceive his present. But men, even such, are not looking for easy ways, so he decided to fix this situation by jumping out of the window of the apartment. This act became nothing more than a replenishment - another item on the list of things he openly hates.
He is a real hardened and incorrigible cynic, moreover, in no other form personally I do not see him. And, although a young and lively Melody appears in his life, this does not change him, however, unknowingly, he exerts a huge influence on her, courting her until she adopts his manner of talking, style of thinking and expressing thoughts.
What is bad and wrong is that she perceives his pessimism as wisdom, or rather, over time she is no longer able to share these concepts, although she intuitively feels anxious and loaded with pressure from him. Such clearly expressed neurotic tendencies lead to their marriage, although this emphasizes that this is possible only in the movies, at least I sincerely hope so. .

I wonder why Allen himself did not claim the title role, it seems to me that he would be able to decorate this picture, and his presence would not have been so negative. The reasons for the latter are: 1. Allen’s desire to rectify the situation and humor and irony, it is hard for him because the film lost its charm and was unsuccessfully adapted for 2009, there are attempts to appeal to modernity (Obama’s name and mention of global warming), which are forced steps 2. Boris himself is more depressive, his image is burdened with himself, there is constant pressure, moralization and perception of only his own position and in no case others. His immorality and neglect are more like pity, and it is because of this that the general impression of disappointment is formed.
Boris is a person who hates everyone and everything around him, but in fact, in my opinion, he is nothing more than an ordinary loser, in fact he does not understand what he wants, because he is not able to see beauty and can not reach a state of harmony with himself. Characteristic of him is the lack of simple ability to engage in dialogue, we listen to his monologue, and one more, and one more and another. He hides it deep in himself right away, and he doesn't even hide it in front of people, but in fact, he's afraid of this big world. Boris’s tirades on camera seem far-fetched and emphasize the artificiality of trying to communicate with the viewer, because they are as interesting to him as those who surround him there, on the other side of the screen. I feel like I’ve heard this before and it’s not new. The film itself does not focus on the complexity and versatility of images, nor on the mystery and exclusivity of the city where the plot unfolds.
Initially, the name itself indicates a clear definition of the vector of events, or, as in this case, the imposition of the will of the fate of a weak smug person. Unknown way, he still found at the very end what helped him, but again attributing to himself the solution of life difficulties and love twists and turns of all the characters.

7 out of 10

Woody Allen himself does not play in this film, but his image - a boring old philosopher, a spectacle and an incomprehensibly charming cynic - is perfectly performed here by Larry David. With the only difference that he will be taller, and the young actress Ivan Rachel Wood looks next to him comically, but not to the point of hysteria.
Remembering the film a few days later, I somehow felt more sympathy for it than immediately after watching it. It now seems to me more amusing, because if you remember individual scenes, comic situations, lines, then everything, the film remained inside me, caught on.
And the main idea, the core fell to my taste - live today, and be what happens.
Even if you're over seventy and you're lame from a failed suicide attempt. Or you’re out of town, spending the night in cardboards, and parents looking for you all over the country are even bigger losers who also need change.
Great ironic film, light, but not lightweight.
8 out of 10

The idea of the film is simple: don’t go to New York or you’ll become aesthetics, liberals and other homosexuals. Allen either acquired or decided to make an optimistic comedy for a change, although not without a small fraction of traditional misanthropy and neurasthenia.

A daughter, mother and father from the conservative South alternately appear in New York, which immediately takes them into circulation and tears the outer gloss of religion, traditions, prejudices.
The daughter begins to live with a seventy-year-old suicidal Jewish physicist, the mother who came after her opens a porn laboratory and gradually gets drawn into a menage a trois with a philosophy teacher and the owner of a photo gallery.
Frankly speaking, I was waiting until the very end for some trick, the events were very happy, but the final was the most classic. It is still good that the Empire State Building is not on the roof, although in a set of stamps that Allen enthusiastically builds throughout the film this would be appropriate.
In general, the film is quite good - with trademark Allen's barbs and sarcasm, good actors. The director keeps Mark anyway. And he can finally allow himself to remove an easy comedy, at least to wipe the noses of high-brow critics who are set to see another masterpiece with psychological heaps, dignity and branded neurasthenia.

It's worth watching!

The task of the experimenter is to confront the uncollectable. Only with this approach will the experiment be interesting. Boris and Melody, so different, collided like an electron with a positron and turned out quite interesting. This is one of those comedies that is so missing. The American version of the Service Romance, only free, open and modern.
A few words about the hero. Yelnikov is attractive for his hostility, you want to talk to him, disturb the peace of a hermit genius with a cynical and funny sense of humor, and see what happens? Have a good time.