Whatever It Takes (2000)

I love this movie so much

Best movie ever!

I am only giving this movie a 1 for the great cast, though I can't imagine what any of them were thinking. This movie was horrible

Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

Even though creating a modern version of Cyrano de Bergerac is not a novel approach, the idea is still fine if it is executed well.The issue with "Whatever it takes" is that the execution is worst bit. The characters are grossly exaggerated, the scenes that should be moving are in fact outright ridiculous and the ending is awkward, to say the least.As for the acting, Marla Sokoloff appears to be getting progressively bored with her character, as the plot is developing. As for the others, the characters they are playing are so grotesquely meaningless that no serious acting effort would have been needed anyway.Finally, the only reason why this movie is not getting an 1 out of 10 is that are a few brief moments in the movie that could appear funny to someone.

Whatever it Takes is a walking, talking, full-motion cliché built on other scenes taken from movies like It's a Wonderful Life, and a direct remake of the play Cyrano de Bergerac. Besides the respectable performances of the four leads and the catchy soundtrack, whatever small redeeming factors Whatever it Takes had quickly diminished after the first twenty minutes.I'm known to like a lot of high school movies where dorky teenagers lust after the girl of their dreams, and Whatever it Takes almost lured me in until it started walking into every cheap little trap. Right off the bat, anyone who thinks the dream girl is perfect and that the popular kid is going to follow through with his promise clearly hasn't seen any teenage movies.The plot: Nerdy kid Ryan (West) is desperately trying to get a date with Ashley (O'Keefe), the school dream girl. Jocky Chris (Franco) is trying hard to score a date with Maggie (Sokoloff), the school geek. Chris offers to help Ryan with his date if Ryan helps Chris with his. The two agree and venture out through double dates and each others' "smart" advice to win over their love interests.What bothers me is Whatever it Takes does nothing to change the formula. The characters don't act like real-life teenagers at all, they act like poorly created, dim shadows of who they should be playing. West and Franco are not to blame. They are just playing the characters. They didn't write the material they are saying. Both, at that time small, actors do what they can with the paper thin material they have, and needless to say, it all goes in a fair matter.My favorite character was Marla Sokoloff's who played the rebellious teen girl Gia in the nineties sitcom Full House. Years later, she is playing a totally different role, still with her beauty and wit taking a front row seat in the ride.The most frustrating scene in the film, besides the end scene that is abysmal, is the scene in the nursing home. Besides thinking flatulence will get you a cheap laugh, Whatever it Takes spits the few moments in a film I'll never understand; the "I take it back" moments.In this skit, Chris is talking to Maggie in the nursing home discussing her role in theater. Chris says "We have a theater club?" when Maggie brings up that she's in it. Maggie replies with the I-can't-believe-you-just-said-that "what?" as anybody would. Chris says something like "I mean that's cool." The rest of the scene flows as if he never just insulted her hobby like it was unimportant.Why are movie characters so natural and so not concerned when someone just asks a stupid question that insults them. Once he/she reminds themself that what they just said was idiotic, they say something that sounds nothing like what they just said and continue as if it never happened. Just arbitrary.While scenes like that are unnecessary and an insult to the actors and filmmakers, some little moments make Whatever it Takes watchable. It certainly is forgotten, but it might get some sort of revival now that James Franco is making it in the world of acting. Though that may happen, it certainly is likely, that the only recognition he will get from this is the "oh wow, he used to do crappy films" response from many.Starring: Shane West, James Franco, Jody Lyn O'Keefe, and Marla Sokoloff. Directed by: David Raynr.

WHATEVER IT TAKES, in my opinion, is a sweet, charming, romantic, hilarious, and heartwarming romantic teen comedy. If you ask me, Ashley (Jodi Lyn O'Keefe) was, indeed, a very popular, as well as pretty, high school senior. Also, I thought that she, Ryan (Shane West), Maggie (Marla Sokoloff), and Chris (James Franco) looked good in the attire they wore to the prom. That was one of my most favorite parts of the movie. This was because a lot of wacky things happened then. I especially liked the after-prom party. My reason for that is because it took place in a hotel. That makes me wish I had been invited to a party like that when I was a senior in high school. Before I wrap this up, I'd like to say, "Bets like that are stupid. I think you should let the person you love fall in love with you rather than wooing them." Now, in conclusion, if you're a fan of Jodi Lyn O'Keefe, Shane West, Marla Sokoloff, or James Franco, I highly recommend this sweet, charming, hilarious, and heartwarming romantic teen comedy, that is, if you haven't seen it.

"Whatever it takes" is by one line summary really just another teen movie. All though we might need sometimes in our lives to remember to smile and how playful life and love could be from time to time. The story is about two guys, one who's acting out like the school's general geek and the other guy is the school's Johnny Bravo. Both of them wants the same, the girl of their dreams and lives. With using tricks and cheats they try and do whatever it takes to succeed their mission, to finally get the girl. As "the geek" wants the other guys cousin, and as him indeed wants the geeks best mate and neighbor, they decide to team up to score.This is nothing more than another movie about crazy teens, but all though it might give you a laugh at some points. See this only if you got some time to spare and you're really bored.