In a never-ending current of commercially-manufactured teen flicks, one may have difficulty deciding whether a film merits the cost of a non-matinee show or whether it can wait for a delayed video viewing. After all, a variety of teen sub-genres appear to have emerged in recent years: the horror series, the sex comedy, the graduation flick and the Shakespearean/classic play-based modern interpretation.
In "Whatever It Takes," a contemporary, post-"Roxanne" adaptation of "Cyrano de Bergerac" by director David Hubbard, the classification is obvious. But while newer versions of older plays have provided a fresh perspective on classic stories, "Whatever" just doesn't warrant a trip to the theater.
|
The movie's main flaw is that it tries a little too hard. Forcing sexual humor into an already clichéd script, "Whatever It Takes" unsuccessfully imitates the tactless comedy present in predecessors such as "American Pie." Although previews suggest an almost identical type of unabashed comic style, "Whatever It Takes" is surprisingly different from the hyped summer blockbuster.
The film's plot revolves around a male-female friendship that faces obstacles as a result of a complicated love triangle. Maggie ("The Practice"'s Marla Sokoloff) and best friend Ryan (Shane West of "Once and Again"), are long time buddies as well as Dawson and Joey-esque next-door neighbors.
Ryan has an obsession with the tube top-sporting Ashley Grant ("She's All That"'s Jodi Lyn O'Keefe), a popular, self-absorbed beauty who, in the tradition of teen movies, has no interest in her pursuer-especially since he plays the accordian and surrounds himself with underachieving geeks.
|
Maggie, however, has an admirer of her own, the cocky jock Chris Campbell who conveniently is Ashley's cousin. Chris, with his pornographically painted bedroom furniture and player reputation, sees Ryan's obsession with Ashley as the perfect opportunity to get what he wants.
One main problem with this double matchmaking is the fact that neither of the two potential couples are compatible, and romantic interests are based purely on physical appearance.
Convincing Ryan that helping him woo Maggie will lead to a relationship with Ashley, the two get started, giving each other advice and tips on what will make the ladies swoon. Chris convinces Ryan that acting like a complete jerk is the way to Ashley's heart, while a skeptical Ryan tries to soften Chris' brash technique.
Hesitant at first, Ryan grabs Ashley's attention by sending her a scathing e-mail, the subject of which is her "butch hair." Chris, on the other hand, uses Ryan to write poetry to Maggie and tell him her favorite movies, books, etc.
In an implausible conclusion to both of the boys' efforts, each of them end up with their respective romantic interests after a few mildly amusing episodes (one of which ends in Ashley's puking on an amusement park ride). This doesn't say much for the girls' intelligence. In the meantime, Ryan becomes disappointed and disillusioned with Ashley, while he predictably enough falls for his best friend.
The film's characters are hard to relate to, as they embody trite high school stereotypes. The audience is forced to believe the film's unbelievable character types, while the actors themselves are bland and miscast. Ryan, the most appealing character in the circle, is both intelligent and good-looking, but fails as an unconvincing underdog. Maggie is just plain boring and although she is portrayed as a well-to-do goody-goody, doesn't deserve the attention of the arrogant Chris or the romantic Ryan. Ashley is, without a doubt, beautiful, but adds no interest as a one-dimensional bitch.
"Whatever It Takes" does have a few good points, considering its underlying message focuses on true friendship and the unimportance of superficiality in relationships. But its good intentions can't make up for weak writing and unoriginality. Unfortunately, "Whatever" just doesn't have what it takes to reach the teen flick ranks of films such as "Ferris Bueller's Day Off."
Read More
The best albums of 2014
By Noah Zeidman | December 4, 2014Across genres, it has been a pretty great year in music.
Top 10 movies of 2014
December 4, 2014This has been an excellent year for film, offering everything from gripping blockbusters to innovative personal films.
Iggy Azalea is “Reclassified”
December 4, 2014It has become common practice among music artists to repackage their albums in an effort to simultaneously boost single sales and dish out new content by slightly renaming the album or slapping “Deluxe” onto the title.
