Python Hyena
Whatever it Takes (2000): Dir: David Raynr / Cast: Marla Sokoloff, Jodi Lyn O'Keefe, Shane West, James Franco, Julia Sweeney: Judging from the title it seems that the filmmakers were out to do whatever it takes to make a dumb idea dumber. It places its romantic leads within ear shot next door lofts as seen before in Drive Me Crazy. Jodi Lyn O'Keefe plays a high school beauty whom every guy and his dog has their sights on. Marla Sokoloff plays the girl next door who unknowingly is being set up with a snobbish jock. Easily one of the worst teen comedies ever made as it wallows in the muck of lust in perversion offering absolutely nothing new for the wasted ninety minutes. Directed at best by David Raynr with a screenplay that xeroxed nearly every teen comedy made within the previous decade. Sokoloff plays that plain Jane who turns out to be a hottie. O'Keefe plays the dumbest girl on the block but seems to counter that with her looks. This will get old quickly because most guys would ditch her once someone with half a brain comes along. Shane West and James Franco play the two guys with more guts than brains. We have seen this scheme countless times where bets are made either to lose virginity or bed a particular female, and this one may take the cake as being the worst of them all. Viewers should do whatever it takes to avoid this pointless teen garbage. Score: 1 / 10
mycatslyone
WHATEVER IT TAKES could have been a better teen film. LOVE James Franco but I did NOT like his character, Chris Campbell. His only decent scenes were on the stage with his (real, at the time) girlfriend spouting off lines from the other guy who was actually sincere & secretly in love with her. I did NOT like the school nurse's prop! It was so inappropriate! I cannot believe any school would allow such a thing! I cannot believe any PARENTS would allow it, either! I also can't believe all the kids who went to a hotel after the prom! Do high schools & parents really ENDORSE such a thing?!? Stupidity! These were all rich & snooty-type high school kids who just didn't have a clue. I have to say - I'm sorry I bought this one.
Laura
Not normally being a fan of the teen comedy genre (with the exception of the brilliantly weird "Clueless"), I was hesitant to watch this film. I heard Richard Schiff was in it, which drew me slightly, but the reason I gave in and had a look was because it featured Shane West. There are a few men in the film industry who could take parts where they read from the phone book and I'd still be interested, and Shane West is one of them. (And no, I'm not a teenage girl, I'm older than Shane.)It's not a great movie. It's not even a particularly good movie. The performances are delivered with reasonable enthusiasm and yes, Shane is pretty. But it's not a cinematic masterpiece.However, that said -- this movie has one absolutely hilarious scene that makes it worth the effort to rent, or even buy if you spot it in the bargain bin like my friend did. Shane's character Ryan, at one point, can be seen wearing nothing but boxer shorts and a cowboy hat, with an accordion strapped to his chest, dancing around to "Play That Funky Music White Boy." It is the most stupidly hysterical thing I have ever seen and I about fell off the sofa laughing. I guarantee you cannot watch this scene with a straight face, so the next time you're in dire need of a laugh, look for this movie and find that part!
Catherine_Grace_Zeh
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.
AD
