Whatever It Takes

PG-13

Released Mar 31, 2000

1 hr. 34 min.

Comedy

List

16%

67 Reviews

Tomatometer

45%

25,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

A nerdy teen, Ryan Woodman (Shane West) is smitten with the popular and gorgeous Ashley Grant (Jodi Lyn O'Keefe), who apparently has no interest in him. Meanwhile, dim star athlete Chris Campbell (James Franco) has his eye on Ryan's brainy and beautiful friend, Maggie Carter (Marla Sokoloff). The two agree to help each other in their romantic quests, but, as they come closer to their goals, both Ryan and Chris suspect that they might be pursuing the wrong girls.

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Critics Consensus

Whatever It Takes is another run-of-the-mill teeny-bopper romance flick. Cliche jokes and a tired plot capture few laughs.

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Eya G

Boring, cliché storyline and creepy characters. The acting leaves to be desired and the characters are forgettable.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

09/27/23

Full Review

miki t

I kinda like it. It was cliche but Not that bad. James was so handsome in the movie.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Just another teen movie. Just another lesser interpretation Of Cyrano de Bergerac. I don't even remember this film and I was the core demographic when it was released. It does have an impressive cast of up and comers (James Franco, Aaron Paul, Colin Hanks). The featured character actors are really the best part Richard Schiff as a sadistic gym teacher and the wonderful Julia Sweeney that I wished had been utilised more - the film would have been much better and infinitely funnier. Instead it's just another teen movie about the dumb guy who doesn't see what's right in front of him until he lies, manipulates, acts like a jerk to his real friends, gives up everything to be with a girl who is a horrible person but is "hot" and helps a scumbag manipulate his best friend into a relationship - then he wakes up to the fact that the girl who has always been there for him and who he's always under appreciated might be the best person for him. Happy ending?

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This movie is not a masterpiece nor does it pretend to be. It is in the same category as the American Pie, though perhaps a bit less funny and ted more melodramatic. All in all it is a very enjoyable movie.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/23/23

Full Review

steve d

shockingly bad script drags down 4 likable leads!

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Benjamin M

Adequate at capturing cliche and yet adequate in capturing the true mood of those cliches. Breathing is a cliche and yet a breath of fresh air can be refreshing,

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/05/18

Full Review

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David Raynr

Director

Shane West

Ryan Woodman

Marla Sokoloff

Maggie Carter

Jodi Lyn O'Keefe

Ashley

James Franco

Chris Campbell

Aaron Paul

Floyd

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Owen Gleiberman

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: B+

Sep 7, 2011

Full Review

Rick Groen

Globe and Mail

What you're actually hearing is the sound of a really old coot preaching a very practised sermon.

Rated: 2/4

Apr 25, 2003

Full Review

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: B+

Mar 24, 2000

Full Review

Ellen MacKay

Common Sense Media

This is simply an assembly of cinematic cliches.

Rated: 1/5

Jan 1, 2011

Full Review

Michael Dequina

TheMovieReport.com

Please, oh please, make these teen-targeted romantic comedies go away.

Rated: 1/4

Jan 8, 2010

Full Review

Mark Halverson

Sacramento News & Review

Rated: 1/5

Aug 7, 2008

Full Review

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Synopsis

A nerdy teen, Ryan Woodman (Shane West) is smitten with the popular and gorgeous Ashley Grant (Jodi Lyn O'Keefe), who apparently has no interest in him. Meanwhile, dim star athlete Chris Campbell (James Franco) has his eye on Ryan's brainy and beautiful friend, Maggie Carter (Marla Sokoloff). The two agree to help each other in their romantic quests, but, as they come closer to their goals, both Ryan and Chris suspect that they might be pursuing the wrong girls.

Director: David Raynr
Executive Producer: William H. Brown, Victoria Dee
Screenwriter: Mark Schwahn
Distributor: Columbia Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment
Production Co: Phoenix Pictures, I'll Be You Productions
Rating: PG-13 (Thematic Elements|Sexual Content|Language)
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 31, 2000, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $8.7M
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital, Surround
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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