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Updated 04/23/2009 12:31 PM

New Woody Allen Film Opens Tribeca

By: George Whipple

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The 8th annual Tribeca Film Festival opened Wednesday night at the Ziegfeld Theatre in Midtown with the world premiere of "Whatever Works," a film by Woody Allen.

"I love shooting in New York," said Allen. "It's a very expensive city for me to shoot in because I don't have a lot to make films with, so I can't make all my films here, but I was able to afford this one."

Actor Even Rachel Wood is the center of the film's love triangle.

"I honestly think sense of humor is the sexiest thing, so as far as humor goes, [co-star Larry David] is the sexiest man alive," Wood said.

David plays an older man who takes in the younger Wood.

"I would never allow somebody I didn't know into my house," he said. "And I don't even like people I know in my house, much less a stranger, yeah. So I differ from the character in that regard."

Patricia Clarkson plays Evan Rachel Wood's mother.

"It's a wonderful great southern mother, a transplant who has come up to the city to save her daughter, but she gets sucked in and she's Larry's nemesis, Larry's biggest nightmare," explained Clarkson of her character.

British actor Henry Cavill is the third wheel in the love triangle.

"[Wood and Clarkson] are both exceptionally beautiful in their own way," said Cavill of his costars.

While Allen is noted for his comedic flare, he said he does not believe comedy alone will save Americans in this troubled time.

"I don't think it really gives people release," he said. "When they're home laying in their bed at night at 3 o'clock in the morning and everything's black they think about their bank account and their mortality and the shadow on their X-ray, things like that, the comedy flits out of their mind."