Whatever It Takes

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Whatever It Takes

PG-13

Released Mar 31, 2000

1h 34m

Comedy

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Popcornmeter

15%

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65 Reviews

45%

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25,000+ Ratings

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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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

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John Hartl

Seattle Times

Tepid, predictable fantasy.

Jan 1, 2000

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Marc Savlov

Austin Chronicle

With a running time of 92 minutes, Whatever It Takes is too long by an hour and a half.

Rated: 0/5

Jan 1, 2000

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Ellen MacKay

Common Sense Media

This is simply an assembly of cinematic cliches.

Rated: 1/5

Jan 1, 2011

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Michael Dequina

TheMovieReport.com

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

Rated: 1/4

Jan 8, 2010

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Mark Halverson

Sacramento News & Review

Rated: 1/5

Aug 7, 2008

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Tim M

Doing injustice to the classic play of which it modernizes, when it comes to being a smart, funny comedy, Whatever It Takes isn't willing to do the work.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

01/05/25

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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

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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

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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

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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

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steve d

shockingly bad script drags down 4 likable leads!

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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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

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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
Producer: Paul Schiff
Screenwriter: Mark Schwahn
Distributor: Columbia Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment
Production Co: Phoenix Pictures, I'll Be You Productions
Rating: PG-13 (Sexual Content|Language|Thematic Elements)
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 31, 2000, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $8.7M
Runtime: 1h 34m
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital, Surround
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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