WHATEVER WORKS

(PG-13)

Woody Allen has made some of my favorite films. Of course there are his classics (Annie Hall, Zelig, Manhattan, Sleeper, Love and Death) and following those the marvelous complications of Hannah and Her Sisters, Crimes and Misdemeaners, Sweet and Lowdown. When he's good there's no director more imaginative, interesting, original. The last few years have become mediocre Allen, though Vicky Christina Barcelona had good moments (mostly with Penelope Cruz/).

His newest is the tale of a retired physics professor (Larry David) constantly addressing the audience with his cynical views about life. We've met this character before in his TV show Curb Your Enthusiasm. The dark comedy and self-involved persona is fun to watch, until the story becomes ridiculous. Evan Rachel Wood turns up on his Manhattan doorstep as a homeless, former beauty queen (big surprise) who is something like 18 years old (another big surprise.) The gorgeous young thing falling hard for the older guy is cliched and redundant for recent Allen movies. The secondary characters, including Patricia Clarkson and Ed Begley, Jr., drive up the film but cannot save it. Originally written for Zero Mostel, the film could've used his theatrical flair. There are some laughs here, especially with David's dark ideas and behavior. A disappointing two hats.