Whatever It Takes

What could make Gilmore High's biggest heartthrob team up with an accordion playing geek? A vow to do WHATEVER IT TAKES to win the girl of their dreams.

Unpopular Ryan Woodman has it bad for Ashley Grant, the hottest girl in school. His best friend Maggie Carter tells him he doesn't stand a chance. He wonders if she's right until Ashley's cousin, Chris Campbell, approaches him with a matchmaking plan. The scheme? Simply this--campus cutie, Chris, wants to date brainy beauty, Maggie. If Ryan can show him how to get in good with her, he'll show Ryan how to win Ashley. In the tradition of Cyrano de Bergerac, a series of scripted e-mails, phone calls and dates help the guys win the women they want, only to have them realize maybe it's unwise to mess with matters of the heart.

Marla Sokoloff is sweet and sassy as Maggie. Shane West captures your heart and makes dorky, sexily appealing. And Jodi Lynn O'Keefe and James Franco are perfectly cast in their beautiful, but brainless roles. The real scene stealer however, is Aaron Paul who plays zany, notoriety-seeking Floyd.

While the cast shone, the movie overall did not. Slo-mo shots of Jodi were overused and the sharp, smart wit of last year's teen romantic comedies (10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU, SHE'S ALL THAT) was sorely missing. Furthermore, the movie lacked any true romance. What little there was didn't come into play until the very end. Short on laughs AND love I give this movie two hearts.

Best lines:
"I'm not much of a thespian."
"Good, I'd really be wasting my time if you're only into chicks." Maggie and the ever brilliant Chris.

"I love you Bryan Ryan!" Ashley in a moment of mindless desperation.

"Walk it off." Ryan getting even with the baseball coach.

"Women and children first." Cosmo (Colin Hanks) making a Titanic crack at prom.

"The things I do for you." Maggie's signature comment to her best friend, Ryan.

Best moment:
Ryan playing PLAY THAT FUNKY MUSIC on the accordion in green and white striped boxers and a cowboy hat.

If you liked this (and even if you didn't) you might like:
10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU('99)--Heath Ledger, Julia Stiles, Joseph Gordon--Levitt, Larisa Oleynik.

Did you know?
Jodi Lyn O'Keefe used to be on ANOTHER WORLD and Shane West plays guitar and writes music for his band, AVERAGE JO.

Related links:
Whatever it Takes-official site
Sony Pictures Entertainment

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