The Citizen Review " A man goes to the movies. A critic must be honest enough to admit that he is that man." -Robert Warshow

Matthew says: C+

For the past 20 years or so, Woody Allen has made and released a film ever year. Perhaps this reflects on his work. Well, in any case, it certainly has in his latest release, Whatever Works.

The movie is very "Woody Allen-like" but that's basically all it is. When you watch the movie all you think is him trying to recreate his success with his previous, and better, New York set film. It's been four films since his last New York picture, and let me just say, maybe he should go back to Barcelona.

Whatever Works is the morality tale of an intelligent but has a very dark view of the world. One day he stumbles upon a teenage southern belle, comfortably residing in the dumpster by his house. She ran away from her constrained life in the south and wants a place to stay. Well, she and he get more than they bargained for when the incidentally fall in love (or something like that).

Her very southern, bible beating mother comes along and gets swept up in the mad world of New York City. Her father also drops by, and gets swept up as well.

In the end of this messy, confused tale, the only lesson I found is do "whatever works", whatever that means.

Sincerely,