Whatever It Takes (2000)

Whatever It Takes is a breezy, early-2000s teen rom-com that understands the delicious awkwardness of wanting someone just out of reach—and the quiet thrill of realizing you might be chasing the wrong dream. It’s got that sunny, high-school vibe where emotions feel huge, mistakes are made loudly, and sincerity sneaks in through the cracks of the comedy, helped along by charming turns from Shane West, Marla Sokoloff, and Jodi Lyn O’Keefe. The movie’s central “deal” between a brainy romantic and a well-meaning jock creates a steady stream of funny misfires and surprisingly sweet moments without pretending teenagers are any wiser than they are. If you’re allergic to classic rom-com contrivances, it may feel familiar, but if you want something light, likable, and gently heartfelt, this one goes down easy.

Whatever It Takes is clearly aiming for a light, late-’90s/early-2000s teen rom-com vibe: mismatched friends, romantic schemes, and the inevitable realization that the “perfect” crush isn’t so perfect. The problem is it plays the hits a little too faithfully—predictable beats, clichés you can see coming from a mile away, and some dating “advice” that lands as more dated than charming. If you’re sensitive to manipulative rom-com setups or want characters who feel emotionally believable, this will likely test your patience. Still, if you’re in the mood for an easy, glossy time capsule with a few cute moments and you don’t mind a formula, it can work as background comfort viewing.