Boris Yellnikoff (played by Larry David) is a protagonist in Whatever Works.
Boris Yellnikoff is a cynical, misanthropic chess teacher and former Columbia quantum mechanics professor who avoids most people. He reluctantly shelters Melodie St. Ann Celestine, falls in love with her, and marries her, but is devastated when she chooses Randy James. After an impulsive jump causes Helena's injuries, he begins a new relationship with her. Boris' Friend #1 (played by Adam Brooks) appears in Whatever Works.
Marietta (played by Patricia Clarkson) appears in Whatever Works.
Marietta is Melodie St. Ann Celestine's mother, who finds her in New York after believing she had been kidnapped. Disappointed by Boris Yellnikoff, she tries to separate the marriage and recruit Randy James for Melodie. After meeting Leo Brockman, she transforms through photography and adopts a more unconventional life. Boy on Street (played by Clifford Lee Dickson) appears in Whatever Works.
Perry's Friend (played by Nicole Patrick) appears in Whatever Works.
Boris' Friend #2 (played by Lyle Kanouse) appears in Whatever Works.
Morgenstern (played by Olek Krupa) appears in Whatever Works.
John (played by Ed Begley Jr.) appears in Whatever Works.
John is Marietta's estranged husband and Melodie St. Ann Celestine's father. After losing money in the stock market, he leaves Marietta and sells their house, then returns remorseful and hopes to restore his family. At a bar, he acknowledges that he is gay and later begins a relationship with Howard.
Whatever Works (2009) character relationship network mapped with AI analysis. Explore the connections, alliances, and conflicts between characters.
Characters
Boris Yellnikoff
(played by Larry David) — protagonist
Boris Yellnikoff is a cynical, misanthropic chess teacher and former Columbia quantum mechanics professor who avoids most people. He reluctantly shelters Melodie St. Ann Celestine, falls in love with...
Boris' Friend #1
(played by Adam Brooks) — supporting
Marietta
(played by Patricia Clarkson) — supporting
Marietta is Melodie St. Ann Celestine's mother, who finds her in New York after believing she had been kidnapped. Disappointed by Boris Yellnikoff, she tries to separate the marriage and recruit Randy...
Boy on Street
(played by Clifford Lee Dickson) — minor
Perry's Friend
(played by Nicole Patrick) — minor
Boris' Friend #2
(played by Lyle Kanouse) — minor
Morgenstern
(played by Olek Krupa) — minor
John
(played by Ed Begley Jr.) — supporting
John is Marietta's estranged husband and Melodie St. Ann Celestine's father. After losing money in the stock market, he leaves Marietta and sells their house, then returns remorseful and hopes to rest...
Boy's Mother
(played by Yolonda Ross) — minor
Howard
(played by Christopher Evan Welch) — supporting
Howard is a recently divorced gay man whom John meets in a bar while drinking away his misery. Their conversation helps John admit that he has known for most of his adult life that he is gay. Howard l...
Perry
(played by John Gallagher Jr.) — supporting
Canonical Relationships
Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.
Boy's Mother → Boy on Street
(mother)
John → Howard
(Romantic Partner)
After meeting Howard in a bar, John admits that he is gay, and the final party shows John with Howard.
Marietta → Morgenstern
(Romantic Partner)
Marietta begins an open relationship with Leo and his business partner, Morgenstern.
Marietta → John
(Romantic Former Spouses)
Marietta explains that John left her and sold their house after losing money in the stock market. John later arrives remorseful and hopes to restore t...
Story Dynamics
Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.
Perry's Friend → Perry
(friend)
Boris' Friend #2 → Boris Yellnikoff
(friend)
Boris' Friend #1 → Boris Yellnikoff
(friend)
Story Analysis
A cynical marriage and its surrounding relationships transform as the characters abandon fixed social identities and pursue unconventional happiness.
