Whatever Works is a 2009 film written and directed by Woody Allen. The film is a comedy that tells the story of Boris Yellnikoff (played by Larry David), a nuclear physics genius who has abandoned his academic career and luxurious life to live as a misanthrope in New York City's Greenwich Village. 

Plot

Boris is a cynical and disdainful man who despises most people and considers the human race in general to be insignificant. His life changes when he meets Melodie St. Ann Celestine (played by Evan Rachel Wood), a young woman from the southern United States who has run away from her conservative family to seek her fortune in New York.

Despite their age and personality differences, Boris and Melodie end up living together, and their cohabitation becomes the center of the story. Boris begins to teach Melodie his pessimistic view of the world, but things take an unexpected turn when Melodie's mother, Marietta (played by Patricia Clarkson), arrives in the city.

Marietta is determined to bring Melodie back home and embarks on a journey of personal transformation. Meanwhile, other characters, including a friend of Boris and his wife, become entangled in their lives, creating a series of comedic and eccentric situations.

The film explores themes of existential philosophy, unconventional love, and acceptance of differences. "Whatever Works" is a witty and ironic comedy that reflects Woody Allen's distinctive style.

Director: Woody Allen

Writer: Woody Allen

Producers: Letty Aronson, Stephen Tenenbaum, and Gareth Wiley

Music: Various artists

Main Cast:

• Larry David as Boris Yellnikoff
• Evan Rachel Wood as Melodie St. Ann Celestine
• Patricia Clarkson as Marietta
• Ed Begley Jr. as John
• Michael McKean as Joe
• Henry Cavill as Randy James
• Jessica Hecht as Helena

Major Awards: The film did not win major Oscars but received some nominations.

Box Office Gross: The film was a commercial success.

Critical Reception:  The film explores themes such as love, art, philosophy, and Woody Allen's signature intellectual humor. Larry David delivers an outstanding performance as Boris. Although the film did not win major Oscars, it received positive reviews from critics and was a box office success. It was appreciated by Woody Allen fans for its witty dialogue and existential analysis.