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Whatever It Takes

Play trailer Poster for Whatever It Takes PG-13 2000 1h 34m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
15% Tomatometer 62 Reviews 45% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
A nerdy teen, Ryan Woodman (Shane West) is smitten with the popular and gorgeous Ashley Grant (Jodi Lyn O'Keefe), who apparently has no interest in him. Meanwhile, dim star athlete Chris Campbell (James Franco) has his eye on Ryan's brainy and beautiful friend, Maggie Carter (Marla Sokoloff). The two agree to help each other in their romantic quests, but, as they come closer to their goals, both Ryan and Chris suspect that they might be pursuing the wrong girls.
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Whatever It Takes

Whatever It Takes

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Critics Consensus

Whatever It Takes is another run-of-the-mill teeny-bopper romance flick. Cliche jokes and a tired plot capture few laughs.

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Critics Reviews

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Rick Groen Globe and Mail Apr 25, 2003
2/4
What you're actually hearing is the sound of a really old coot preaching a very practised sermon. Go to Full Review Kendall Morgan Dallas Morning News Jan 1, 2000
Although the leads are appealing, you're better off watching them for free on the little screen, in Once and Again.... Go to Full Review Mark Caro Chicago Tribune Jan 1, 2000
What was that movie that finds humor in someone barfing on someone else? Give me a minute, it's on the tip of my tongue! Whatever It Takes. Go to Full Review Ellen MacKay Common Sense Media Jan 1, 2011
1/5
This is simply an assembly of cinematic cliches. Go to Full Review Michael Dequina TheMovieReport.com Jan 8, 2010
1/4
Please, oh please, make these teen-targeted romantic comedies go away. Go to Full Review Mark Halverson Sacramento News & Review Aug 7, 2008
1/5
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Audience Reviews

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Emily E @emilyespinosa Jul 26, 2026 I loved Shane West’s character in this. Loved this❤️ See more Ed R @JustcallmeER Dec 29, 2025 Classic nostalgia with a star-studded cast! See more Tim M @tgmacman Jan 5, 2025 Doing injustice to the classic play of which it modernizes, when it comes to being a smart, funny comedy, Whatever It Takes isn't willing to do the work. See more Eya G @RT09651753 Sep 27, 2023 Boring, cliché storyline and creepy characters. The acting leaves to be desired and the characters are forgettable. See more miki t @Mikimightmineme Nov 24, 2021 I kinda like it. It was cliche but Not that bad. James was so handsome in the movie. See more Sep 19, 2020 This movie is not a masterpiece nor does it pretend to be. It is in the same category as the American Pie, though perhaps a bit less funny and ted more melodramatic. All in all it is a very enjoyable movie. See more Read all reviews
Whatever It Takes

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Cast & Crew

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David Raynr

Director

Shane West

Ryan Woodman

Marla Sokoloff

Maggie Carter

Jodi Lyn O'Keefe

Ashley

James Franco

Chris Campbell

Aaron Paul

Floyd

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Whatever It Takes

Whatever It Takes (2000) Popular jock Chris (James Franco, right) and social outcast Ryan (Shane West) give each other the tools needed to seduce the girls of their dreams High school superjock Chris (James Franco) is thrilled to escort Maggie (Marla Sokoloff) to the prom in Columbia/Phoenix's Whatever It Takes View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis A nerdy teen, Ryan Woodman (Shane West) is smitten with the popular and gorgeous Ashley Grant (Jodi Lyn O'Keefe), who apparently has no interest in him. Meanwhile, dim star athlete Chris Campbell (James Franco) has his eye on Ryan's brainy and beautiful friend, Maggie Carter (Marla Sokoloff). The two agree to help each other in their romantic quests, but, as they come closer to their goals, both Ryan and Chris suspect that they might be pursuing the wrong girls.
Director
David Raynr
Producer
Paul Schiff
Screenwriter
Mark Schwahn
Distributor
Columbia Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment
Production Co
Phoenix Pictures, I'll Be You Productions
Rating
PG-13 (Sexual Content|Language|Thematic Elements)
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 31, 2000, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 1, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA)
$8.7M
Runtime
1h 34m
Sound Mix
SDDS, Dolby Digital, Surround
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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