Whatever Works

Whatever Works is a 2009 comedy written and directed by Woody Allen. The film stars Larry David and Evan Rachel Wood. Woody Allen returns to his traditional location of New York City after four straight films set outside of the United States. The movie is about a professor who gets involved in a relationship with a woman 40 years younger than him. The plot caused speculation as to whether if the script was based on Allen's relationship with Soon Yi Previn. Allen said this was not the case and that he wrote most of the script in the 1970s.Woody Allen On Life, Films And 'Whatever Works' (June 15, 2009)

• Larry David as Boris Yellnikoff
• Evan Rachel Wood as Melodie
• Patricia Clarkson as Marietta
• Henry Cavill as Randy James
• Michael McKean as a friend of Boris
• Ed Begley Jr. as John

The movie's main character is the pessimistic university professor Boris Yellnikoff (Larry David). His marriage has failed and he is depressed when he meets a woman 40 years younger than him, ( Evan Rachel Wood) starts a relationship with her and later marries her.

As usual for a Woody Allen film, the plot for Whatever Works was at first kept closely under wraps by the notoriously tight lipped writer and director. Photos from the film revealed the film was set in New York City and stars Larry David and Evan Rachel Wood.

In an interview with Suicidegirls.com, Evan Rachel Wood revealed that she also plays the young wife of Larry David's character. Wood states: She's so naive that she comes across really dumb because she just doesn't have the experience but she sees the good in everything and she's just a sweetheart. He's like an Ebenezer Scrooge character. He's just bah humbug to everything, hypochondriac, neurotic. It's very classic Woody Allen but it's still different than anything he's done. But that character dynamic, you can't not be funny when I'm married to Larry David. It's just pretty funny. Suicide girls.com: Evan Rachel Wood: Wrestling with Fame (December 17, 2008)