Friday, Jul. 03, 2009

Latest Woody Allen movie: Sunshine for curmudgeons

"Seinfeld" co-creator Larry David has carefully cultivated his role as a curmudgeon in the entertainment industry, so it's not surprising that he is the perfect stand-in for Woody Allen in "Whatever Works."

David, star of the outrageously funny improvised "Curb Your Enthusiasm" on HBO, excels as misanthrope Boris Yellnikoff, a nuclear physicist who lectures everyone on his world views and is frustrated by the widespread stupidity he witnesses on a daily basis.

He's obsessive about washing his hands, belittles the kids he's teaching chess to, and goes through life expecting to be miserable. Life changes dramatically when a young Southern beauty queen, Melodie St. Ann Celestine, runs away to New York and convinces him to let her stay at his apartment.

Melodie, as played by a sublime Evan Rachel Wood ("Across the Universe," "The Wrestler"), is as sunny as Boris is grouchy. She's impressionable and innocent, and becomes Eliza Doolittle to his Henry Higgins. Her spewing nihilistic views in a honey voice to date Perry (John Gallagher Jr., Tony winner for "Spring Awakening") is funny.

These opposites become an unlikely couple, despite the big age difference. He's still sarcastic, only now he has someone to help him through his panic attacks.

While not exactly vintage Allen, this latest comedy is a sweet-and-sour mix of crochety rants and winsome performances. After making his last four films overseas, Allen returns to his beloved streets of New York City, and once again, Manhattan appears as an inviting place for free spirits.

The odd coupling of David and Wood isn't all that off-putting (and, thankfully, no public displays of affection). You can read what you want into the May-December romantic parallels of Allen's own life. Or just enjoy the funny side.

When Melodie's estranged parents track down their daughter, the story careens into some kinky territory, but Patricia Clarkson is splendid as a repressed woman letting loose while Ed Begley Jr.'s conversion from right-wing bigot is predictable. Let's just say that Manhattan has a big effect on the Mississippians.

Allen's movies often feature big-brained intellectuals commenting on relationships, religion, and existence. "Whatever Works"" is the mantra of the lead character, who learns about accepting the inevitable pitfalls along his journey without wanting to jump into the abyss.

If you enjoy the talky nature of some pretty colorful characters, you'll accept "Whatever Works" as a wispy romantic comedy.

Both Wood and Clarkson stand out here. It's not a stretch to consider that there might be Oscar nominations for these memorable turns.

You can quibble with plot points, especially the questionable addition of a hunky British actor (Henry Clavill), but overall "Whatever Works" has some real zingers.

David, who had brief parts in "Radio Days" and "New York Stories," delivers Allen's dialogue in a believable way. Even though the part was initially written for Zero Mostel years earlier, it's hard to distinguish where David's character leaves off and his real persona begins.

Just as you count on Groucho Marx to insult people on screen, you figure David is going to carry on about the atrocities of the world. So it's your choice whether you want to listen or not.

Whatever works, right?

3 stars

Starring: Larry David, Evan Rachel Wood, Patricia Clarkson, Ed Begley Jr.

Director: Woody Allen

Rated: PG-13 for sexual situations in dialogue, brief nude images and thematic material.

Length: 1:32

Should You Go? Get off my lawn ... and go to the theater.

Second opinion: 2 1/2 stars. "... Every now and then, vintage Allen writing meets vintage David rant, and it all comes together." -- Roger Moore, The Orlando Sentinel