There’s something disturbing about the trailer for Woody Allen’s next flick, Whatever Works. It could be the implied romantic pairing of the 61-year-old Larry David with the fresh-faced Evan Rachel Wood, who’s 21. It could also be the apparent complete lack of any sort of plot or narrative. But, most likely, it’s the fact there are zero laughs in the trailer. Not one. Allen seems to have written yet another ditzy blond who is dumb as nails, and while David seemingly makes a perfect surrogate for Allen himself, something about the whole thing comes off as smug.
As a huge fan of both Allen and David, please excuse me while I go wallow in disappointment and self-pity. To be fair, it could just be a bad trailer: Studios never seem to know how to sell Allen’s movies. But I in no way, shape, or form can support a Larry David and Evan Rachel Wood union. That’s just plain Gross. (I capitalized for dramatic effect.) Watch it below and decide: Does this make you want to see the movie? Or were you underwhelmed, too? And who else agrees there’s not nearly enough of Patricia Clarkson?
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It actually looks like Evan Rachel Wood kisses another guy in the promo, someone age-appropriate. I think she and Larry David are just the stereotypical jaded old man meets feisty young daughter-like figure who encourages him to appreciate life. In a non-creepy sort-of way. But I’ve noticed…is Ed Begley Jr. in freakin’ everything now?!
I didn’t see anything implying a romance between the two… At least he didn’t cast that monotone voiced, plays-every-role-exactly-the-same Scarlett Johansson again.
Looks funny to me.
I love Woody so either way im gonns check it out.
I think the author of this blog saw a different trailer than I did. I chuckled quite a few times. Larry David checkmates and insults a small child within the first 5 seconds. I thought that was funny. I think it looks like typical Allen fare, and I’m looking forward to it.
Also, the girl kisses some young hunk in the middle of the trailer. I don’t know why the author assumes she’s sleeping with Larry David based on their innocent interaction in the trailer. It seems more like a strange father/daughter type relationship *coughWOODYALLENHASFATHER/DAUGHTERISSUEScough*
I think it looks cute.
I agree with you 100%. Grumpy dude wandering around New York, quipping? I’ve seen it before.
You read too much into things. It looked funny to me, Woody Allen funny which I guess at this point in life is not for everyone. And you just want it to be Larry-Even so you can continue your stereotypes. Get off that — how many years ago was Manhattan?
I’m a huge Woody Allen fan, and I agree that this trailer isn’t the best in the world.
However, it’s from from as horrible as the author of this post is making it sound. More importantly, when’s the last time the TRAILER for a Woody Allen movie looked awesome? I’ll probably still check this one out.
I don’t know what you’re talking about, Jeremy Medina. There’s no implied romantic pairing in the trailer.
American version of Lost in Translation? That accent by Woods, ugh.
or better yet, As Good As It Gets
The author of this is waaaaaayy off. There is not even an inkling of a romance between David and Wood. David is supposedly a darker version of himself in Curb Your Enthusiasm so I’ll likely be checking this out. What the hell was Medina watching?
I dont know what this writer was talking about, I think that looks pretty good, and there is no sign of a romantic relationship between the two of them, in fact im pretty sure you see her kissing some other guy her own age about 1:55 into the trailer.
You only have to go onto the film’s website and read the press kit to learn whether Larry David and Wood are a couple in this, so I won’t ruin it for people who don’t want to know going in. People need to learn to research more. As for the trailer, I thought there were several funny moments. It wasn’t a stellar trailer, but ones for Allen’s film rarely are. I have faith in the Allen and the strong cast that this will be a good film.
I thought it was funny. Ive seen annie hall, crimes and misdemeanors, match point, parts of manhattan. I think itll be good. Yeah larry david is 61 and evan rachel wood is 21. Woody likes younger women. Woody is 73 an Soon Yi is 38. Leave Woody Alone!!!!!
The ‘age appropriate’ one she kisses is Henry Cavill from The Tudors… and was hoping he was more central to the movie.
Allen and Farrow’s only biological son, Seamus Farrow, said of Allen: “He’s my father married to my sister. That makes me his son and his brother-in-law.
I think it looks really good. Maybe not laugh-out-loud funny, but good nonetheless.
Jeremy, I think you need to rewatch. The “I think I’m dying… I mean eventually!” line had be bursting into laughter. Allen has never made a comedy that featured laugh out loud trailer moments, but this looked good, I can’t wait to see it and, I don’t think you’re right about this one.
In what way does it look like there is anything romantic going on between the two of them?
Medina, you are so wrong about this film that words don’t even exist to describe how wrong you are.
Is that really what you came away with? Seriously? Woody/Soon-Yi? Do you prefer Allen’s early, funny pictures? Or read a lot of tabloids?
Not only did I not catch anything romantic going on between David and Wood, but the line I came away with had to do with “whatever measure of grace is possible…” In other words, Allen’s trying to identify what things in our lives have actual value, regardless of what we may think they are. It made me happy, sad, and nostalgic at the same time.
You may want to avoid commenting on, er, anything, ever again.
you’re nuts. it’s funny and i don’t see any romantic relationship in it and even if there was who cares.
She definitely kisses the gorgeous Henry Cavill in the trailer – if I end up seeing this movie, he is the sole reason!
I laughed. I also don’t see the romantic chemistry between the two. Seems more like Woody and Scarlett Johansson in ‘Scoop.’
There’s no implication AT ALL. It’s clearly just a friendship. A hilarious frienship I plan to see. Larry pretty much plays Woody though which means Woody finally wasn’t up for another movie. What a shame.
Larry David and Evan Rachel Wood are married in this according to the reviews and the films website, so there is a romantic relationship but who cares?
Not funny. Wood’s accent is awful. Don’t appreciate the constant religious people bashing of so many recent films. Seems altogether unoriginal.
You are so wrong about this movie. I saw it at Tribeca…it is very funny! Woody doesn’t write bathroom jokes and Superbad type humor. ( I, personally, don’t find that stuff funny.) Wood and David are married in the film, but it is more a marriage of convenience….there are no romantic moments for them. Clarkson is funny, and yes, her character is a stereotype…but, it’s supposed to be. You don’t think the teens in Superbad are stereotypes?
Go see the movie it’s good.
You are so wrong about this movie. I saw it at Tribeca…it is very funny! Woody doesn’t write bathroom jokes and Superbad type humor. ( I, personally, don’t find that stuff funny.) Wood and David are married in the film, but it is more a marriage of convenience….there are no romantic moments for them. Clarkson is funny, and yes, her character is a stereotype…but, it’s supposed to be. You don’t think the teens in Superbad are stereotypes?
Go see the movie it’s good.