Main Cast: Tom Mason, Chris Weatherhead, James Rebhorn, Maura Shea
Release Year: 1986
Country: US
Run Time: 93 minutes
Plot
In this uneven drama, Jeff (Tom Mason) is a Vietnam vet trying to eke out a living in New York when his already difficult life gets worse. In order to keep his head above water, he takes on several different, low-paying jobs in addition to driving a cab. He really wants to sell his cartoons so he can have a chance at syndication, and at the same time he satisfies his artist's calling by painting scenes of the war. But then the rent on his father's diner is raised through the roof, so it looks like his dad will be out of business soon. The rejections of his cartoons continue, and even his ex-girlfriend is having her separate problems. Without a doubt, Jeff decides it is time to retrench. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
William Bogert - Timmy Shaughnessy; Rosetta Le Noire - Millie; Joey Ginza - Curley; Fred Morsell - Mr. Bunyon; Edward Binns - Mr. Kingsley; Thomas Barbour - Hilbourne; Martin Balsam - Hap Perchicksky; Tom Mason - Jeff Perchick
Credit
Molly Maginnis - Costume Designer, Bob Demchuk - Director, Bob Demchuk - Editor, Garry Sherman - Composer (Music Score), Maher Ahmad - Production Designer, John Drake - Cinematographer, Bob Demchuk - Producer, Walter J. Scherr - Producer, Bob Demchuk - Screenwriter, Chris Weatherhead - Screenwriter
Ryan is a bit of a geek with eyes for the school sex bomb, Ashley, which induces cringing in his neighbor and best friend, Maggie, a cute intellectual girl. But popular jock Chris has his eye on Maggie, and he offers to help Ryan win Ashley if Ryan will help Chris with Maggie. So begins a two-headed variation on Cyrano de Bergerac; Ryan composes soulful e-mails for Chris, and Chris advises Ryan to treat Ashley like dirt, which seems to be the only way to get her attention. At first, neither finds it easy to change their ways; Chris comes on too strong, and Ryan is too nervous to be a jerk. But as they start to succeed, Ryan begins to see Maggie in a new light and wonders if he's pursuing the right girl. The film examines the themes of staying true to oneself and finding self-worth.
Whatever It Takes was first released on DVD in North America in August 2000. It was released in Australia later that year, then released in the UK in 2001.
