Whatever It Takes (2000) – Movie Review
Whatever It Takes (2000), directed by David Raynr, is a lighthearted teen romantic comedy that offers a fun, if predictable, twist on the classic Cyrano de Bergerac story. Set against the backdrop of high school social life, the film captures the drama, awkwardness, and humor of teenage romance at the turn of the millennium.
The story centers around Ryan Woodman (Shane West), an average, somewhat nerdy high school student who harbors a secret crush on the beautiful and popular Ashley Grant (Jodi Lyn O’Keefe). Meanwhile, his longtime best friend and neighbor, Maggie Carter (Marla Sokoloff), has been right under his nose all along, but he’s too blinded by superficial desires to notice. Ryan makes a pact with Chris Campbell (James Franco in one of his earliest film roles), the school’s arrogant jock. In exchange for helping Chris win over Maggie, Chris promises to help Ryan impress Ashley.
What follows is a series of typical high school hijinks, as Ryan tries to become the kind of guy Ashley would like—abandoning his true self in the process—while Chris uses shallow tricks to charm Maggie. As expected in this genre, Ryan eventually realizes that being someone you’re not isn’t the path to real happiness, and that the perfect girl for him might have been right beside him all along.
Shane West brings a likable sincerity to Ryan, making him relatable despite his often misguided choices. Marla Sokoloff shines as Maggie, delivering a smart and down-to-earth performance that makes it easy for audiences to root for her. James Franco, even in an early role, shows glimpses of the charismatic screen presence he would later become known for. Jodi Lyn O’Keefe plays Ashley with the right balance of allure and shallowness, fitting the “dream girl” trope that the story critiques.
The film’s humor often leans into slapstick and over-the-top situations, typical for early-2000s teen comedies. While some jokes haven’t aged particularly well, there’s a sweetness underlying the film’s message: the importance of authenticity and valuing someone for who they are rather than their social status or looks.
Stylistically, Whatever It Takes embraces all the trends of its era—low-rise jeans, cheesy pop soundtrack, and the teenage obsession with status and image. Watching it today feels like a time capsule back to the late ’90s and early 2000s, which adds a layer of nostalgia for audiences who grew up during that time.
While it doesn’t reinvent the teen rom-com formula, Whatever It Takes is an enjoyable, breezy watch with enough heart to make it worthwhile. Fans of classic high school movies like She’s All That or 10 Things I Hate About You will likely appreciate its familiar charm, even if it doesn’t reach the same iconic status.
In the end, Whatever It Takes reminds viewers that sometimes, the love you’re searching for is already right there—you just have to open your eyes and your heart.
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