 THIS WEEK AT THE CINEMATHEQUE
By Dianna Braginton-Smith
Whatever Works
Written and Directed by Woody Allen (2009). With Ed Begley, Jr., Patricia Clarkson, Larry David, Evan Rachel Wood.
Like him or hate him, Woody Allen is a true artist, and as are all works of pure artistic vision throughout history — this film will be viewed as either complete genius, or complete failure.
For me, it was complete genius. In “Whatever Works,” Allen seems to have finally crafted the opus that defines his particular brand of humor. Not to say it is his best film, (a difficult distinction that would certainly require the mention of several previous works), but this is without a doubt the film that further defines and simplifies the underlying tongue-in-cheek existential message of all his great films.
The greatest and most impressive aspect from a storytelling perspective is that this is, despite its dominant aspects of suicide, intolerance, prejudice, and hopelessness, a story of irrepressible optimism.
In it Allen cooks up all of his most wonderfully painful pet pieces of id, hypocrisy, judgment, meaninglessness, ignorance, stupidity, ennui and cruelty — and produces something genuinely resembling an extremely pure and delicate hope soufflé. The result is all the more authentic and palatable because it comes only after the brutally full-frontal, glaringly light examination of all the aforementioned negatives.
Yes life exceeds the potential of the imagination in its potential for pain, loss, and meaningless horror. But regardless, somehow, we still want more. As Boris says when asked what his favorite Knish is made of: “who the hell knows what disgusting things it’s made of — I don’t want to know, I’ve been eating them for years and I love them.”
Regardless of the potentially disgusting, horrible things life may be made of, when all is said and done, we can’t get enough of it.
Who else but Woody Allen could so seamlessly blend the vast philosophical implications of the meaning of life, entropy and a good Knish?
Though this film was originally written by Allen in the ’70s, (The role of Boris Yellnikoff, played by Larry David, was originally written for Zero Mostel), the themes and struggles also resonate in the similar climate of nationwide crisis we face today. David wraps himself in the cozy mania of Woody Allen’s dysfunctional Boris with the consummate ease and casual disregard of Boris slipping on his well worn, mustard-colored bathrobe. Evan Rachel Wood manages to play the blond southern simpleton Melodie St. Ann Celestine with enough endearing sincerity to make it pleasant instead of painful to watch her prattle on. The wonderful supporting roles played by Patricia Clarkson, Michael McKean, Ed Begley Jr., and Olek Krupa have the feel of familiarity we have come to expect in an Allen film.
If you get Woody Allen, and you identify with his themes of good-natured hopelessness and existential farce, you cannot go wrong with this film.
Friday, Aug. 7, Saturday Aug. 8, and Sunday, Aug. 9 at 9:15 p.m.
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Séraphine
Written and Directed by Martin Provost/France (2009). With Yolande Moreau, Ulrich Tukur, Anne Bennent.
“Séraphine” is the true story of Séraphine Louis, (aka Séraphine de Senlis) played by Yolande
Moreau, a simple and profoundly devout housekeeper who in 1905 at the age of 41 taught herself to paint at the instigation of her guardian angel.
She was discovered in 1912 by Wilhelm Uhde (played by Ulrich Tukur), a German art critic and collector who was one of the first collectors of Picasso and painter Le Douanier Rousseau. Uhde gained a fondness for her brilliantly colorful canvases while she worked for him as a maid in his lodgings in Senlis outside Paris. “Séraphine” forges a testament to the mysteries of creativity and the resilience of one woman’s spirit. In French with English subtitles.
Friday Aug. 7, Saturday, Aug. 8 and Sunday Aug. 9 at 7 p.m.
 Those Three (An seh)
Directed by Naghi Nemati/Iran (2007). With Youssef Yazdani, Dariush Ghazbani, Esmail Movahedi
Just one day from completing their military training, three conscripts desert their camp and escape into the frozen wilderness of Northern Iran. Travel through this mountainous, snowbound region is dangerous, but the three opt for the independence the journey promises. They forge their way through an uncertain landscape, with only friendship to see them through. In this austere and mesmerizing debut feature, director Naghi Nemati’s attention to the minutiae of human relationships is a quiet and deliberate meditation on the value of responsibility, connection and sacrifice. In Farsi and Turkish with English subtitles.
Wednesday, Aug. 12 at 8:30 p.m.
The Miami Beach Cinematheque is located at 512 Espanola Way, Miami Beach.
For more information call 305-673-4567 or visit mbcinema.com.
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