Land of the Misfit Comics

Larry David and Woody Allen are a match made in heaven--both were standup comedians and are neurotic, self-involved, borderline misogynists who have made a career out of being neurotic, self-involved, borderline misogynists. David has made a fortune creating characters that are mean, selfish and just generally nasty. And Woody Allen has spent his working years writing and directing films about assholes and misfits who you'd totally end up decking if you were forced to spend any time with them at all. And so, it will be interesting to see what happens when these two men come together in the new film Whatever Works. Allen's effort stars David as a brilliant physicist, who--in a plot twist that has never before happened in a Woody Allen film--sleeps with a beautiful young woman despite the fact that he's a total tool. The plot is really secondary in this film, though--what's important to watch here is Allen's continuing documentation of the culture of New York and David's impeccable and unparalleled comic delivery. Appearances by Patricia Clarkson, Samantha Bee and Evan Rachel Wood don't hurt, either. Whatever Works will play at the Modern, 3200 Darnell St., as part of the Magnolia at the Modern series on July 3 at 6 and 8 p.m. and July 5 at 2 and 4 p.m. Tickets are $8.50, $6.50 for members. Visit themodern.org/magnolia.
Fri., July 3; Sun., July 5, 2009