I Love Woody Allen, But This is Gross

Woody Allen doesn’t make enough films these days. He has entired a new genre in film, a genre that developed out of tribute to his unique vision. Now, younger filmmakers strive to make quirky, introverted, neurotic comedies that sort of cling to each other in a comedy subset, reserved for a specific kind of movie goer, a movie goer who enjoys more subtle, realistic, thoughtful comedy. And some of these films are good - some of them fail miserably, yes, but some of them are good. But, they’re not Woody Allen films, and they never will be. And let’s be honest, Allen’s no spring chicken. I’m not saying he has one foot in the grave, but we can agree that there aren’t too many years left of his work. So as they get fewer and farther between, every film Allen releases is a gem.

Lately his films have been a little…un-Woody; dramas like Matchpoint. But with his latest, Whatever Works, Woody Allen is back. The oh-so-normal-it’s-mundane situation turns into something just a little strange, and we watch subtle caricatures of the realest of real people deal with the events…neurotically. In a match seemingly made in heaven, Allen cast Larry David as his lead. Perfect. Referred to as “schlemiels,” Allen and David are old show biz Jewish, neurotic, New York cynics. Casting David in the lead was like casting Allen’s own reflection.

But there’s one grievance I have this film, and that’s the relationship at the center of the film. David’s character, Boris, ends up letting a Mississippi runaway thirty years his junior, named Melodie, played by Evan Rachel Wood, stay at his NYC apartment - and they fall in love. Okay, first of all, what’s with Evan and old guys? Seriously, though, this is a bit disturbing to me. I get what Allen’s doing here - Boris’ motto for love is “whatever works,” so for him, it’s just whoever he falls for. Things like this do happen in real life and Allen gives us a closer look at these situations with tongue in cheek. It’s this strange thing that we can actually laugh at. Thing is, I don’t know if I can stomach watching Evan Rachel Wood and Larry David make out. I can barely stand the thought of Larry David making out with anyone, let alone someone this much younger than him. But, for Woody Allen, I will put my fears aside. It’s worth it. This is true Allen at his best, and we need to enjoy every one of these works while they’re still coming. Go embrace your neurotic side, Whatever Works is out July 1st.

July 9th, 2009 by Courtney Iseman | Posted in Uncategorized | (0)