Whatever It Takes
Ryan (Shane West) is a bit of a geek with eyes for the school sex bomb, Ashley (Jodi Lyn O'Keefe), which induces cringing in his neighbor and best friend, Maggie (Marla Sokoloff), a cute intellectual girl. But popular jock Chris (James Franco) 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. He realizes Ashley is not meant for him, and tries to convince Maggie about Chris's affection for her. Maggie is reluctant to take him "back" at first, but then realizes Ryan has a change of heart.
The film struggled financially against its mid-range budget of $15.0M, earning $9.9M globally (-34% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its innovative storytelling within the comedy genre.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Whatever It Takes (2000) showcases deliberately positioned narrative architecture, characteristic of David Raynr's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 34 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.2, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Ryan gazes at Ashley Grant from his bedroom window while Maggie teases him. Establishes Ryan as a nerdy romantic pining for the unattainable popular girl next door, while his tomboy best friend Maggie clearly cares for him.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 10 minutes when Ryan learns Ashley has broken up with her boyfriend and is now available. Opportunity presents itself, disrupting his passive longing with the possibility of action.. At 11% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 22 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Ryan agrees to the deal with Chris, choosing deception over authenticity. He actively decides to help Chris pursue Maggie (betraying her) in exchange for help winning Ashley through false pretenses., moving from reaction to action.
At 47 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat False victory: Ryan gets a date with Ashley and it goes well. Maggie and Chris are also connecting. Everything seems to be working perfectly according to plan. Stakes raised as both relationships deepen, making the inevitable revelation more dangerous., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 68 minutes (73% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The truth is revealed at the prom. Maggie discovers Ryan was helping Chris deceive her. She feels utterly betrayed by her best friend. The friendship "dies" - the relationship that mattered most is destroyed by Ryan's choices., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 75 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Ryan realizes he loves Maggie and must win her back by being completely honest and himself. Synthesis: he must use his genuine self (not borrowed charm) to fight for real love (not fantasy)., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Whatever It Takes's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Whatever It Takes against these established plot points, we can identify how David Raynr utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Whatever It Takes within the comedy genre.
David Raynr's Structural Approach
Among the 2 David Raynr films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.3, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Whatever It Takes takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete David Raynr filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more David Raynr analyses, see Trippin'.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Ryan gazes at Ashley Grant from his bedroom window while Maggie teases him. Establishes Ryan as a nerdy romantic pining for the unattainable popular girl next door, while his tomboy best friend Maggie clearly cares for him.
Theme
Maggie tells Ryan he should be himself and stop pretending to be someone he's not. Theme stated: authenticity in love vs. deception and pretense.
Worldbuilding
High school social dynamics established. Ryan is smart but unpopular, obsessed with Ashley. Maggie is athletic and real. Chris Campbell is the popular jock who wants Maggie. Floyd is Ryan's player friend who gives terrible advice.
Disruption
Ryan learns Ashley has broken up with her boyfriend and is now available. Opportunity presents itself, disrupting his passive longing with the possibility of action.
Resistance
Ryan debates how to approach Ashley. Chris approaches Ryan with a plan: Chris will help Ryan win Ashley if Ryan helps Chris win Maggie. Ryan wrestles with the ethics but is tempted by the possibility.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Ryan agrees to the deal with Chris, choosing deception over authenticity. He actively decides to help Chris pursue Maggie (betraying her) in exchange for help winning Ashley through false pretenses.
Mirror World
Ryan feeds Chris lines to woo Maggie (Cyrano-style), while Chris helps Ryan get close to Ashley. The subplot with Maggie represents what Ryan really needs vs. what he thinks he wants.
Premise
The deception game unfolds. Ryan coaches Chris on how to romance Maggie while Chris helps Ryan impress Ashley. Comic situations arise from the double-dealing. Ryan gets closer to Ashley through borrowed sophistication while Maggie falls for Chris's Ryan-written words.
Midpoint
False victory: Ryan gets a date with Ashley and it goes well. Maggie and Chris are also connecting. Everything seems to be working perfectly according to plan. Stakes raised as both relationships deepen, making the inevitable revelation more dangerous.
Opposition
Complications mount. Ryan realizes Ashley is shallow and that he's losing Maggie. Chris starts developing real feelings for Maggie. The lies become harder to maintain. Ryan sees Maggie falling for Chris and realizes what he's losing, but is trapped by his own deception.
Collapse
The truth is revealed at the prom. Maggie discovers Ryan was helping Chris deceive her. She feels utterly betrayed by her best friend. The friendship "dies" - the relationship that mattered most is destroyed by Ryan's choices.
Crisis
Ryan sits alone, having lost both girls. He processes that he had real love (Maggie) and destroyed it chasing an illusion (Ashley). Dark realization that his deception cost him everything that mattered.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Ryan realizes he loves Maggie and must win her back by being completely honest and himself. Synthesis: he must use his genuine self (not borrowed charm) to fight for real love (not fantasy).
Synthesis
Ryan makes a grand public gesture, declaring his real feelings for Maggie authentically. He rejects Ashley and social status, choosing to be vulnerable and honest. Confronts Chris and fights for Maggie, not with borrowed words but with genuine emotion.
Transformation
Ryan and Maggie together, both authentic and happy. Mirrors opening image but transformed: instead of gazing at the wrong girl through a window, Ryan is present with the right person, being himself. Love through authenticity achieved.