Comments on: I’ve given up trying to please you: The intentional crappiness of “Whatever Works” http://www.screenmachine.tv/2009/10/23/ive-giving-up-trying-to-please-you/ Film criticism and cultural commentary based out of Melbourne, Australia. Fri, 30 Sep 2011 11:23:54 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Brad Nguyen http://www.screenmachine.tv/2009/10/23/ive-giving-up-trying-to-please-you/comment-page-1/#comment-434 Brad Nguyen Fri, 23 Oct 2009 03:51:14 +0000 http://www.screenmachine.tv/?p=1038#comment-434 I thought the houseboat dude was a bit of a bore. Melodie loves the way Boris talks as much as she loves sex. They won't last! I wonder if part of the reason people are creeped out by Allen is that he's never been attractive. I get the feeling like people would be happier with a 48-year-old George Clooney dating a 17-year-old than a 44-year-old Woody Allen. I thought the houseboat dude was a bit of a bore. Melodie loves the way Boris talks as much as she loves sex. They won’t last!

I wonder if part of the reason people are creeped out by Allen is that he’s never been attractive. I get the feeling like people would be happier with a 48-year-old George Clooney dating a 17-year-old than a 44-year-old Woody Allen.

]]> By: Rosie http://www.screenmachine.tv/2009/10/23/ive-giving-up-trying-to-please-you/comment-page-1/#comment-433 Rosie Fri, 23 Oct 2009 03:17:38 +0000 http://www.screenmachine.tv/?p=1038#comment-433 I thought he *was* playing Larry David ... I am always struck, when watching 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' how similar Allen and David are in their schtick. I mean Sheryl is also pretty young compared to Larry in the show... SPOILER ALERT (don't read on if you haven't seen) I agree that it doesn't idealise the relationship, as Allen does in some of his other movies (eg Husbands and Wives, Mighty Aphrodite). I thought the break up scene was pretty accurate. I guess the audience is kind of thinking most of the time 'gee why are you with this guy?! Go for the houseboat dude'. But I guess the whole thing is pretty fantastical - highlighted by the 'audience asides' - I mean the houseboat guy falling in love at first sight?! Maybe I'm too much of a cynic. Good review though. Also thought your Polanski defence was interesting ... I thought he *was* playing Larry David … I am always struck, when watching ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ how similar Allen and David are in their schtick. I mean Sheryl is also pretty young compared to Larry in the show…
SPOILER ALERT (don’t read on if you haven’t seen)

I agree that it doesn’t idealise the relationship, as Allen does in some of his other movies (eg Husbands and Wives, Mighty Aphrodite). I thought the break up scene was pretty accurate. I guess the audience is kind of thinking most of the time ‘gee why are you with this guy?! Go for the houseboat dude’. But I guess the whole thing is pretty fantastical – highlighted by the ‘audience asides’ – I mean the houseboat guy falling in love at first sight?! Maybe I’m too much of a cynic.

Good review though. Also thought your Polanski defence was interesting …

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