Boris then turns to the screen and begins to tell his story to a non-existent audience. It is a brilliant breaking of the fourth wall. From here we move onto the story proper where we get to learn a bit more about what makes Boris tick. In particular, we learn about his "whatever works" philosophy and how love is a funny thing and you never know when you may be called up to give some, take some, or share some. Just be ready for its fickle nature.
Boris reveals himself to being a quantum physicist who was once almost nominated for a Nobel Prize, a retired professor who is divorced from his perfect match because he could not stand it. He now lives in a low end walk-up and makes some extra money teaching chess to "inchworms" who he is more likely to smack with the chess board than he is to offer any sort of encouragement.
One day, he returns home to discover a poor girl at his door begging for food. He initially rebuffs her begging, but eventually relents and invites her in. The girl is Melody St. Ann Celestine (Evan Rachel Wood) and she buys into what Boris is selling, hook, line, and sinker. The two end up becoming an item, much to the chagrin of everyone, including Boris. Things get even stranger when her mother (Patricia Clarkson) and father (Ed Begley Jr.) arrive, separately, considering their estranged status.
A number of characters float into view, all of whom give meaning to the "whatever works" philosophy. They are transformed by the city around them, their eyes are opened, their minds cleared of the barriers that have been put in place. They recognize the change inside of themselves and they act appropriately.
The film is actually rather interesting, offering up philosophical meanderings on life that impart some ideas and concepts that we are to used to hearing, some even running counter to what many have been taught over their lives. I am not saying this will change anyone's lives or belief systems, but there is a definite truth behind the words that could be worth pondering.
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