Whatever Works (2009): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Whatever Works is a 2009 romantic comedy starring Evan Rachel Wood and Larry David. It earned $36 million worldwide. Critics gave it 50% on Rotten Tomatoes and 45 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10.
- Released
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Sony Pictures Classics
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Whatever Works About?
The premise of Whatever Works without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A cynical and grumpy older man finds his predictable life disrupted by a vibrant, young runaway in this New York-set comedy. When her concerned parents arrive to take her home, they become unexpectedly drawn into a chain of romantic events. The film explores the unpredictable nature of love and the importance of accepting life's unexpected turns, ultimately suggesting that embracing change and finding joy in the unexpected is key to happiness.
Whatever Works Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- runaway
- quantum mechanics
- limp
- atheist
- religion
- new york city
- marriage
- chess
- grant's tomb
- gay
- reference to william shakespeare
- two word title
+38 more Show fewer
- chess lesson
- impatience
- reference to ted bundy
- psychiatrist
- reference to gianni versace
- reference to marlene dietrich
- sarcasm
- reference to michelangelo
- wax museum
- mother in law
- reference to william faulkner
- college professor
- manhattan new york city
- reference to bill clinton
- double decker bus
- fred astaire
- reference to richard nixon
- knish
- reference to mahatma gandhi
- chinese restaurant
- reference to the dalai lama
- reference to pope john paul ii
- aside
- art exhibit
- reference to franz schubert
- pygmalion
- panic attack
- riding a bicycle
- reference to martin heidegger
- mother in law son in law relationship
- love at first sight
- male with a limp
- coming out
- atheism
- polyamory
- evangelical
- gay parent
- gay father
Whatever Works Cast
Evan Rachel Wood leads the cast, with Larry David.
Whatever Works Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Whatever Works 50% on Rotten Tomatoes and 45 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10.
-
IMDb 7.1 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 50% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 61%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 45 Metascore
User score 7.0
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 71% User score
See on TMDB
Whatever Works Plot Summary
What happens in Whatever Works from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Boris Yelnikoff is a cynical, misanthropic chess instructor, once a professor of quantum mechanics at Columbia. After his divorce, he isolates himself, interacting only with a few friends and students, often looking down on anyone who doesn’t match his intellectual standards. A quirky habit of his is frequently washing his hands while cheerfully singing “Happy Birthday.”
One evening, Boris discovers a young woman named Melody on his doorstep, who is somewhat simple-minded and just 21 years old. Though initially reluctant, he helps her and soon hears her story of escaping her strict, fundamentalist upbringing in Mississippi. After some hesitation, he allows her to stay the night, leading to a unique relationship where she develops a crush on him, despite their obvious differences in age and background.
Full summary
The whole story of Whatever Works, scene by scene
Whatever Works Box Office
Whatever Works grossed $36 million worldwide. $5.3 million came from the US and Canada and $30.7 million (85%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$36M
- US & Canada
- $5.3M
- International
- $30.7M
Whatever Works Trailers & Videos
6 videos: 1 trailer and 5 clips.
- Clip Official Clip
- Clip Larry David and Marcis Debonis - Official Clip
- Clip Larry David and Even Rachel Wood - Official Clip
- Clip Larry David and Carolyn McCormick - Official Clip
How Well Do You Know Whatever Works?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is Boris Yelnikoff’s profession?
Cars in Whatever Works
10 cars on screen, including the 2007 Alexander Dennis Enviro500 and the 2005 Ford Crown Victoria.
-
2007 Alexander Dennis Enviro500 Minor role -
2005 Ford Crown Victoria Minor role -
1996 Dodge Caravan Background role -
2005 Ford Expedition Background role
Whatever Works Also Known As
25 alternative titles, including “紐約遇到愛” and “מה שעובד”.
- Also known as
-
- 紐約遇到愛
- מה שעובד
- Whatever Works - Liebe sich wer kann
- Bármi megteszi
- Si la cosa funciona
- 總之得就得
- Whatever Works - Basta che funzioni
- Basta che funzioni
- Kim Kiminle Nerede?
- Tudo Pode dar Certo
- Whatever Works - Liebe sich, wer kann
- Mig og Melody
+13 more Show fewer
- Будь что будет
- 怎样都行
- Co nas kręci, co nas podnieca
- Κι αν σου κάτσει;
- Užívej si, co to jde
- Orice merge
- Lai notiek kas notikdams
- Каквото дойде
- 왓에버 웍스
- Kad ir kas benutiktų, იყოს რაც იქნება
- Si funciona...
- Будь що буде
- 人生万歳！
Seen Whatever Works?
Movies Like Whatever Works
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Hit and Runway, Anything Else and Something Wild.
Whatever Works FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Release Date
Release date, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Whatever Works, each answered in a sentence.
When was Whatever Works released?
Whatever Works was released on June 19, 2009.
Who is in the cast of Whatever Works?
Whatever Works stars Evan Rachel Wood and Larry David.
How much did Whatever Works make at the box office?
Whatever Works grossed $36 million worldwide ($5.3 million domestic, $30.7 million international).
How is Whatever Works rated?
Whatever Works has 7.1/10 on IMDb, 50% on Rotten Tomatoes, 45 on Metacritic and 71% on TMDB.
Does Whatever Works have a post-credit scene?
No. Whatever Works has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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