Everyone Says I Love You (1996)

If Charade was ridiculous, Everyone Says I Love You is downright wacky. The amount of suspension of disbelief required to accept this movie is more than could be asked of most movie-goers. And to top it off, it's a musical.

I didn't realize that last part going in, only to be greeted by Edward Norton singing to Drew Barrymore in the film's opening. That's right. Edward Norton. Singing. Happily. Director Woody Allen did round up an extensive well-known cast. The movie is narrated by Natasha McLyonne as DJ, the daughter of ex-couple Steffi (Goldie Hawn) and Joe (Woody Allen). She tells the story of her life with her mom, step-dad (Alan Alda), step-brother (Lukas Haas), step-sister Skylar (Barrymore), and half-sisters (Gabby Hoffman & Natalie Portman) as well as the time she spends with her Dad.

Oh, wait. Did I mention Julia Roberts is in this too? Yes, she is - as the woman Woody Allen's character is interested in, of course. And of course with it being a Woody Allen comedy and an ensemble like this hijinks ensue. There's even a man in trouble with the law and gasp! - it's not Edward Norton. It's Tim Roth.

I'm sure many people would find this whole thing charming and silly. I got hung up on the silly part and was too busy staring in disbelief at the screen. The singing is not perfect, but they say that's what Allen was going for. The dancing is sort of impressive.

It's just all so.... wacky.

Rating: 3/5

Recommended for: viewing on a day you're feeling giddy

Whatever Works (2009)

Whatever Works features a character who keeps turning away from the people in his world and directly addressing the audience. It's something you just don't find all that often in films today—and probably for good reason. The breaking of the 4th wall provides grand opportunity for awkward corniness. Not to mention it messes with the whole suspension of disbelief thing.

But the main character of this feature, Boris Yellnikoff (Yes, he does yell.), is so disenchanted with the people around him that, even though he tries to talk to the others, he really has no one else to turn to besides the audience. Plus, I guess it wouldn't be a Woody Allen comedy/commentary without something off-kilter like that. Larry David, who is well known for playing disgruntled and bitter, easily yammers on in the role of Boris.

He's a former physicist who almost won the Nobel Prize. One day he finds former southern beauty pageant contestant Melodie sleeping outside his door. He agrees to let her stay while she tries to get on her feet in New York and meanwhile pushes his views on relationships, religion, and existence in general into her incredibly impressionable brain. Evan Rachel Wood takes a refreshing change for her usual rebel roles to play Melodie although oftentimes her performance runs along the borderline of just plain silly. Eventually, Melodie's parents come looking for her and that's when Patricia Clarkson glides in, takes charge of the film, and completely steals it right through the end.

It's definitely not Allen's best, but it's amusing enough if you forget about that suspension of disbelief thing and just listen.

Rating: 3/5
Recommended for: Anyone wondering what Woody Allen's been thinking about lately.