Whatever (1998) User Reviews

Life in the eighties seen through the eyes of a teenager.

[philip_vanderveken · 6/10 · 2 August 2005]

Although I don't really think that the era in which they are set makes a big difference in coming of age movies (I've already seen several, so I think I know what I'm talking about), this movie has been set in the year 1981, even though it was shot in 1998. The best known movie talking about teenage life in the eighties is probably "The Breakfast Club", but apparently Susan Skoog was a bit nostalgic to the time that she was a teen herself and therefor situated it in the year that she was 17/18 herself. Whether this movie has been based on her own life, I don't know.

When a teenage girl is growing up in a still carefree world of sex and drugs (it's 1981, they don't know AIDS yet), she is looking forward to life as an artist. She is very good in painting and is stimulated to develop her skill further at college by one of her teachers. But there are several things that could jeopardize her future. Not only doesn't she have a great relationship with her divorced mother and her younger brother, she is also influenced by the wrong friends who prefer to party and drink all night long, to have sex and use drugs instead of thinking about school and their futures...

Perhaps this is the kind of movie that some parents want to show to their kids as a part of their upbringing. Some might want to use it to show how drugs, booze and sex can bring down your entire future, but personally I'm already past that faze, so I don't care about the 'hidden' message in this movie all that much. But that doesn't mean that I can't watch it for another reason of course. The acting for instance is OK and this movie still gives an idea of how the youth acted in the 1980's (not that much has changed ever since).

I wish I could say this was the best coming of age movie ever, but it isn't. I've seen many that were a lot better than this one. However, it certainly isn't a bad movie and to pass a lazy afternoon, this movie is more than good enough. It's perhaps not exceptional but it's worth a watch and that's why I give it a 6.5/10.

Snore

[carebearsrapedme · 5/10 · 3 March 2006]

Caught this late at night somewhere in the middle so I might be biased, maybe something happens at the beginning? If you see anything remotely interesting, stop there and change the channel, it's a one time event.

Sure people might say it's "real", some parts, unpleasant and gritty, oh yea Hollywood would never have the guts to make such a film, a movie being badly directed does not make it an independent must see.

There's not much spoiler do be done because, well.. nothing happens, I guess it's supposed to be a "coming of age" movie, you know the type, teenage girl has sex and does some drugs, fights with mom because she can't stay out all night. I guess there's some sort of lesson to be had somewhere in there. Must've missed it while my mind drifted off to happier places.

VIEWS ON FILM review of Whatever

[burlesonjesse5 · 7/10 · 29 October 2022]

I wasn't totally sure what the title meant in regards to 1998's Whatever. So yeah, I looked up its actual definition. The word has to do with lack of restriction so it makes more sense now. Whatever's characters as spotted wastoids seem like they are bound by nothing.

Whatever is directed by Susan Skoog, a sort of recluse by today's standards (she has only done 2 films in the past 24 years). The flick might have drawn from Susan's own personal experiences growing up in the early 1980s but I could be wrong. Anyway her film is shot with a special lens I suppose making it look like it came out long before '98. Unwashed as a nearly two-hour teen drama, Whatever is a peek in snapshot, all hazy and punk and besmirched for the indie crowd.

Coming out during the Larry Clark heyday with some added, Dazed and Confused flavor, Whatever is a character study, disjointed in its pacing but sometimes hard-hitting (and desolate) when it comes to pre-adult experiences. The movie centers around Anna Stockard (a perfectly cast Liza Weil). Anna wants to become an artist and get out of New Jersey but the allure of sex, drugs, booze, her shady inner circle, and even her mother keeps her grounded in slight, self-doubt.

On reflection, Whatever's narrative seems a little fragmentary but its raw performances and left field, dry humor pull you through. And its sense of time and place is kind of slighted (the personas look more 90s than 80s) but hey, the soundtrack is killer, a mixture of Ramones, The Pretenders, and Rush (how random is that?). Flawed but nearly cultish, Whatever's message will always be clear: Being an angst-ridden teen is a tough job but remember, you got your whole life ahead of you. Just gotta keep livin' man.

A superb, non-glamourized coming-of-age film.

[filmex-2 · 23 June 1999]

It wasn't originally my intent to comment on this film, but, after seeing some of the idiotic postings denigrating this fine effort, I felt compelled.

I was rather taken aback by the honesty of this tale. To quibble about the automobiles or the Hardee's cups shows such a lack of perception as to what was attempted here, that it truly boggles the mind.

The dissenting voices here clearly prefer the artificial, rose-colored-glasses view of high school as offered by "Sixteen Candles" or other films of John Hughes. But, for most, and maybe this realization only becomes apparent once one has some significant distance from one's high school experience, for most the high school experience is NOT a star-spangled memory a la "Ridgemont High", "Dazed and Confused", or even "American Graffiti".

These formulative years, more often than not, are times of discovery, of embarrassment, of confusion. and of long stretches of boring and mundane matters.

Writer/director Skoog captured, with no illusion whatsoever, the awkwardness of this period, with the realism and honesty worthy of of a Ken Loach or Mike Leigh. For most people, life is NOT "Ten Things I Hate About You", it is about self-discovery and awareness, and sorting out one's rightful place in the human equation. Skoog's two main characters superbly realized this human comedy.

Anna is a beautiful, talented young girl who has not come to grips with either her talent nor her beauty. She is so easily buffeted by the forces surrounding her, be it her bad-girl best friend or the men who are more than willing to introduce her to the awkwardness of sexual initiation, that it is often heartbreaking to watch.

The fact of the matter is that bad things happen to good people, and in watching Anna attempt to navigate her way through her voyage of discovery, the film subtly explores its themes with rare honesty.

The treatment of sexuality is amongst the film's strongpoints. The peer pressure to conform and the curiosity of the unknown is explored with sensitivity. The bare boobs approach of most teen films is abandoned here for a heartfelt examination of the myriad of forces that are involved in human sexuality...the various dynamics, be they sexual or power, that make the experience a lot more than just a procreative act.

These aren't "characters", these are living, breathing people with inexplicable, self-destructive urges as well as a completely realistic complacency that often allows them to be drawn into situations that are not in their best interests.

This is one of the finest coming-of-age films I have ever seen. If you are a mature, perceptive cinema lover without need for an artificial, romanticized approach to the teen experience, do yourself a favor and check out, "Whatever".

there are worse coming of age films

[fooms · 6/10 · 1 February 1999]

well cast and well acted, this movie doesn't add anything new to the genre, but hits the mark for its intended audience. some of the editing is a little bumpy between scene transitions and it sometimes feels like it can't decide between being a feel good movie or a rebel movie.

nice middle class girls who want to fantasize about being naughty yet eventually do the right thing will love it.

the rest of us, well, seriously, who really smokes menthol cigarettes ?

I loved it!

[FouFouGrrl · 10/10 · 9 January 2001]

What a movie!!! A pleasant surprise I caught purely by accident the other night on the Sundance channel. As a person who was 13 in 1981, this movie struck a chord in me that wasn't just nostalgia. Most of the characters were memorable and more than just a little familiar to me; Ana, VERY real, I knew half a dozen girls like her, including me. Her English professor, the spiteful and vindictive Mr. Stanley, who didn't have a pain in the ass teacher like this? All of the various heads, drunks and sluts that flocked to Friday night keggers and house parties. Even her ever-hopeful, yet terribly sad mother was a brilliant touch. The script was so well written, in that, while there wasn't much of a real storyline, a few days in the life really, even the secondary characters were anything but one dimensional.

I loved the soundtrack as well, not only did it make me want to break out some of my highschool vinyl, it did a great job of enhancing scenes without taking over and drowning out the actors.

The best thing about this movie though, no FAKE, sugary Hollywood ending!

Perhaps the worst movie I've ever seen...

[Talton · 1/10 · 9 December 1998]

"Whatever" was clearly the most embarrassing moment of my movie life. On a whim, I went with a friend of mine to opening night in Nashville. There were three others in the theatre. I must say that from the opening "gang-rape" scene through the incessant ramblings that Susan Skoog might call a storyline and finally to the trivial, inconclusive ending, this movie is classified as unbearable at best. Several of my friends asked me to describe the movie, and I struggled to even recount the exeperience to them a few short hours later. Even now, I cannot remember either the plot or any distinct qualities of the characters. The movie does not, as some people claim, explore the "awakening" of a high school girl as she chooses between going to art school and basically becoming a human waste--rather it is more of an exploration of the "awakening" of the movie patrons at the end of the film.

The acting was less than desirable--the lines were forced and rough, the actors' motivations were randomly disjointed from the words they were speaking. The writing itself is reminiscent of a first draft of a 9th grade archetypal story. The choice of camera shots was predictable with the one glaring exception of a 45 second close up of a guy's face as he gets a blow job from Anna. (As a male, this DOES NOT add to any movie, I mean who wants to see THAT for 45 seconds).

Perhaps the only redeeming quality to the movie is that it marks another cinematic milestone for character actor Frederic Forrest. He got his break as the chef in "Apocalypse Now" and was made famous as the "Nazi" surplus store owner in "Falling Down" ("these boots are good...for stomping queers"). I must caution you that seeing this movie rivals operating on your own appendix. Don't make the mistake I did.

Excellent coming-of-age film

[wmadavis · 9/10 · 16 June 2002]

I don't think I'd ever heard of this film, but it caught my eye in a table of used videos for sale. I enjoy the TV show Gilmore Girls and recognized Liza Weil on the cover. What a gem this film is! It's not "entertaining" like most escapist films, it's a fairly realist look into the life of a girl who may have a future or who may slide into a miserable life of drugs and drink, perhaps even crime. I found it engrossing, and marveled at Liza Weil, so little utilized in the TV programs I've seen her in. Frederick Forrest also stands out as an enthusiastic art teacher, and I enjoyed how the ex-con was more than a stereotype.

Juvenile Nonsense

[mcjensen-05924 · 2/10 · 31 August 2021]

It takes a shocking lack of talent to make a movie set in this era and end up with such a horrible end product. Susan Skoog proves she didn't have one inkling how to make a compelling movie, yet alone even one remoteliy interesting scene. No wonder it was almost 20 years before anyone let her direct anything since this embarrassing flop. She even managed to choose dull music when there's so much fun and upbeat stuff to choose from. No offence to The Pretenders, but their music was ill suited to the on screen action. The party scenes were silly, with the conversation unoriginal and dumb. Bad haircuts abound. The sex and make out scenes were outright disgusting. So much of the movie was taken up with silly action that didn't anything or serve any purpose except to add running time. The adults, parent and teachers, were overplayed in such a cliche manner as to make them extremely unbelievable. It's not a coming of age drama it's just a bunch of kids doing what others in successful movies do, but without the talent, humor or interest. The hippie art teacher was incredible dense too. Easily the worst movie of it's type, what with Fast Times, Dazed and Confused, Kids and even Gummo out there, as well as all the films on drug addicted youth. A bunch of people sleepwalking through their roles, spouting inane dialogue with no conviction behind their words or actions. This movie redefines awkward ineptitude. I was kind of like a deer in headlights midway through this, thinking no way it could really be this bad and bland. You couldn't even really laugh at how awful it was because it was so far beyond the worst of the worst. The funniest parts were the ones that were supposed to be the most dramatic. Warning sign of total failure. When breaking into someone's home while they're home, you would think that they would try to be a little quiet right? Nope, not here. And it's always the ultimate copout to have someone taking long dramatic drags on a cigarette to substitute any actual meaningful action or comments. This film relies heavily on that. Especially with the main character's Mom, who is actually not much more that a cheap tramp with layers of makeup on. The other main character's father is an abuser-big shocker there. It's hard to muster sympathy even for her. No attention to detail. They got everything wrong from start to finish. It shows no insights or offers any lessons. Who cares about any of these people? I certainly didn't.....

Drugs, sex, lawlessness, life

[jester-30 · 1 June 2003]

Whatever is a great slice-of-life coming of age story, this time about two young girls in their last year of high school. One girl is awkward looking and shy, but talented with a bright future as an artist. The other is prettier and popular, but not really destined for much. Both live their formative years in a backwater New Jersey suburb and their lives are far less polished and sanitized than those portrayed in most teenage coming of age films these days (TEN THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU, SHE'S ALL THAT, etc...) This film is gritty and real and the characters are powerful. It's hailed as a great 'chick flick" because it's focus is these two girls, but it's more than that.

I thought they did a great job portraying a realistic world. Hell, the high school party scene was stolen right out of my life! ;)

In any case, the acting is superb. The two girls, Anna and Brenda are played by Liza Weil (Stir of Echoes, A Cur for Serpents) and Chad Morgan (Co-Ed Call Girl). They find themselves looking for their own identity in the midst of messed-up family lives and peer pressure. Anna's the daughter of a single mother who works as a waitress and has affairs with rich married men to help support her kids. Brenda suffers through years of sexual abuse at the hands of her step-father. Both find escape and comfort in their pursuit for adulthood -- hopping from one new experience to the next in search of themselves. Drugs, sex, lawlessness... all of these things become part of their lives, and things which they must overcome in order to survive.

a subtle portrait

[exidor411 · 8/10 · 30 November 2000]

I thought this film was a thoughtful reflection on an overlooked period of time. The significance of it's taking place in 1981 was the last hurrah of the "Sex, Drugs, and Rock & Roll" era. AIDS soon followed, and casual sex died. The sex is a big part of the story, a realistic portrayal of a teenage girl's struggles with her newborn womanhood.

The peer pressure to do drugs, smoke, and have crazy meaningless/meaningful sex, all induced by the young idiots around her, happens to most American kids. Anna's dreams of art school are nearly crushed by the combination of her friends, her lonely, pathetic mother, and the usual teenage self-deprecation. It's not hard at all to relate to this character.

It seems that this movie was too subtle for some viewers. Perhaps some people don't want to know the female side of stories we've seen the male counterparts of (quite redundantly) through the years. I welcomed the fresh point-of-view the film possesses. My only true beef would be that it may have been a little too long, but then again, wasn't this writer/director Susan Skoog's first film?

A good film with fine direction of realistic performances (with the exception of the "nerdy" teacher - ugh) and a nice accompanying soundtrack. Overall, I liked it quite a bit.

Gritty Breakfast Club, without the smarm...

[maimonecp · 8/10 · 16 October 2002]

Okay, this was not light entertainment, as so many teenager flicks are. Perhaps I am biased, because it is set in a place and time not too different from my own high school years, but this rang true to my recollections of HS. certainly better than Sixteen Candles, Say anything, etc.. (not that I don't enjoy those movies, but...) This was a less polished Breakfast Club, without the sappy smarmy feel good ending. Mostly.

Ms. Weil was very engaging, attractive enough and very believable, without being the usual beauty queen female lead common to HS films. Particularly revealing was the two girls talking about her loss of virginity, when she says "It felt really good at first. Then he put it in." and her friend replies "yeah, it does kind of hurt. Unless you're drunk." Not great wisdom, but probably recalls many girls first experiences.

Whatever? This is probably what you are saying to yourself.

[John-76 · 14 September 1998]

Yes, this is a "real" movie. It's certainly not getting the attention of the mainstream Hollywood summer blockbusters but it's a lot more powerful and enjoyable.

Synopsis: The story takes place in a working class new jersey suburb set in 1981 and centers on a young woman, Anna Stockard played by newcomer Liza Weil. Anna, in her senior year of high school, comes from a broken family, hangs out with the party crowd and is uncertain of her future. Although seemingly intelligent and artistic, she lacks focus. It's unclear if Anna will end up like her hard drinking and drugging friends or fulfill her ambition to go to art school in New York City.

The film was written and directed by New Jersey native Susan Skoog and unlike other films about the 80's (e.g., Boogie Nights), "Whatever" provides a very realistic view of this era. The clothing, hair styles, slang, and music all represent the suburban early 80's not the Hollywood version.

Although many of the characters are unappealing, the film still manages to capture you. I was both riveted and disturbed by it. Weil carries the film by playing Anna with a stoic integrity - you sense that she is a survivor. Skoog has created a film where you feel as if there was a hidden camera viewing a real teenager's life back in 1981. Skoog and Weil appear to have promising careers ahead of them.

If you want to see asteroids, bombs, fireballs and explosions, the 10 plex has a whole bunch of them. If you want to see a movie that is affecting, albeit, slightly disturbing, drive a little further and checkout "Whatever ".

worth seeing

[shcodra · 8/10 · 26 December 2004]

I've seen this movie during the preparation for broadcast at editing machines and during the dead period of night, somewhere around 3-4 in the morning and I think it's a brilliant example of auteur conceptually clean peace of work, visually balanced and with realistic atmosphere shots, especially during parties. It's female movie, and that's also what I like, so I can explain the lack of strong point, so usual in man movie making business. The plot is about growing and search for identity in confusing and ruthless capitalism. Under the shiny surface there are always confused kids entering in world of grownups and so aware of all filthy things they folks do. They don't know what is good or wrong any more, easily misunderstand and lost. Although, I could be pain in the ass and search for dramatic holes and some cliché in portrait of some of the characters. Some of them are more types then characters – example – Art professor is type of looser in the world of art, and boldly enthusiastically supportive for Anne but hardly expresses any of his goals, his own characteristics. But those are small lacks.

Definitely worth seeing.

Brilliantly Realistic; Deadpan Genius

[Kleist · 10/10 · 22 December 1999]

WHATEVER is one of the best first-time-director/writer films I've ever seen. It's up there with Whit Stillman's METROPOLITAN: intelligent script, beautifully photographed, tragicomic, sensitive and bull's-eye psychology, a cast of unknowns whose performances rise off the celluloid in their perfection. Susan Skoog, bless you: may you have a long, long career in an industry which seldom allows such living and breathing females and males onto its screens! I bought a videocassette copy and will enjoy it again and again. What slice-of-life realism! This stuff happens all the time, but we seldom see it so artistically processed and integrated. I like this film lots: can you tell?

Brilliantly executed coming-of-age drama

[spamwamm · 18 February 1999]

While many will write this off as a slow and plotless waste of celluloid, I found it to be an excellent portrayal of the disconnection and confusion that plagues our youth. Sad to say, this could have had a "based on a true story" title card at the beginning. I've known girls who expressed their praise towards this film for it captures their growing-up period perfectly. If it feels like it's going nowhere, well that just adds to the film's realism. Unlike KIDS, the lead character finally is conscious of her transgressions and thus finds redemption. I find that reason alone, as well as the entire film, worthy of the recognition that it deserves. Rent it with an open mind...

Honest portrayal of growing up in white middle/working class America during the 80's

[JDG-3 · 8/10 · 15 February 1999]

I very much enjoyed this movie. I recognized many of the characters from my own childhood. I'm glad their stories are being told.

Excellent!

[luvangel · 10/10 · 11 June 1999]

Not only did I find this film to be brilliantly directed with a great story line but I have a personal connection to it because I'm located where some of the filming was done. In fact most of the in class/school the scenes were filmed at West Liberty state college. I'm an Art Ed. major so I know the art room that was in the film pretty well. I also go to classes with some of the extras in the film which makes it feel weird when I watched the film. I really enjoyed the film.

Excellent characterization

[JPLemme · 1 December 1999]

The most striking thing about this movie was the depth of the characters. Maybe it's because I'm a child of the Eighties, but I recognized everybody in the movie from my adolescence. (There was actually one exception. The english teacher wasn't like anybody I've ever met.) I've rarely seen a movie populated with characters who were this realistic.

Which brings up the second reason I really liked this movie. The situations the characters found themselves in were very realistic. I like stories about teenagers who thwart gangs of smugglers as much as the next guy, but it was a nice change to watch a movie about real people dealing with real life. It was sort of like a Lifetime chick flick, but with almost all of the melodrama removed so you can enjoy it.

An excellent simple description of most American teen

[jose21madrid · 10/10 · 4 July 2005]

I just saw the movie passed on a late time show in a local TV in Madrid -Spain. I was a little sleepy, but the film caught my attention from the very beginning. Both the two girls starring are really interesting characters, especially the non-pretty one.

The film is highly recommendable for those who want to understand the slight border between a full optimistic teen future and a likely disgusting and useless life.

The secondary roll of the main character's mother is also dramatic as well as the very realistic portrait of so many miserable housewives in the world. Just two drawings are enough to suggest an entire life of frustration.

A little slow moving and BORING...

[delft_blue · 28 March 2004]

Contains spoilers!!!! I picked up this movie while I was on an Indie-film kick and I was a little disappointed because it moved very slow. The whole movie, the main character fretted over whether she'd get into Cooper Union, a VERY prestigious free art school in New York City. As a graduate of an art school, I STILL felt that I couldn't identify with her whiny-artsy persona at all and I felt like screaming to the dumb girl, "LIKE 10 PEOPLE A YEAR GET INTO COOPER UNION SO DON'T THINK YOU HAVE IT IN THE BAG!!!!!" (most people apply to Cooper Union knowing there's no chance in heck they'll get in). Hm, maybe in 1981 one didn't have a .0001% chance of acceptance there? Well, when she doesn't get into Cooper Union the director wants you to sympathize with her moping...hmmmm....I wonder if State College ever crossed her mind? She gets jilted by guy too old for her and mopes about that too. My friend watching this with me left in the middle because she was falling asleep...anyway, if you want a good "coming of age film" I recommend "All Over Me", or looking up some dvds of "My So-Called Life". This film was as exciting as filling out my own art-school applications!!! Grade= D

Whatever the heck happened to good behavior

[TrickGum · 16 October 2002]

I'm kinda on the fence on this movie. I didn't think it was great but it wasn't terrible either. It kinda goes through the motions it doesn't stray far from the path. You won't see anything surprising or shocking here just things in the daily lives of some teenage girls.

(Anna) Lisa Weil well like I said her performance is solid but not outstanding. Typical moody teenager doesn't know if she wants to study art or just become a bum and smoke and drink all day. Of course at the end of the movie she finally knows what she wants but if she knew right away then we wouldn't have a movie would we.

Brenda, her friend played by Chad Morgan is the worst best friend and role model a girl could have. She wants her best friend to hook up with 2 guys who just got out of prison. What kinda friend is that ??? If she wasn't so heavily into drinking, partying and drugs maybe Anna wouldn't be too. It's a case of everyones doing it so you go along with the crowd. They try to explain the background of why she does what she does with a scene with her stepfather. They also show her doing something to him which I didn't totally believe. Over dramatizing if you ask me.

The cinematography is decent here this is a cheap movie but it looked fine. There's a lot of annoying 80's songs played during the movie to convey that this movie takes place during the 80's. Duh ! Coulda done without them if you ask me.

Again, I've seen quite a bit of independent films about teenagers and this one falls somewhere in between great and bad. It's a good movie just don't expect anything earth shattering to happen. Good look into the everyday life of messed up and bored kids. If you like plot twists and turns look elsewhere.

Don't waste your time..

[hrlaser · 28 May 2000]

Whenever I see films like "Whatever" the thought that crosses my mind is.. why didn't the producers just donate all the money they wasted on making it to charities instead, where it could feed some hungry people, help out some homeless people, or.. whatever.

If I want to see packs of aimless, confused teenage girls "come of age" while trying to look and act ten years over their age as they try to figure out who they are, and what they want to be, I'll just visit the nearby shopping center when the high school next door lets out for the afternoon, where they travel in herds, hang out in front of Starbucks, chain smoking and trying to look cool and impress who.. each other? The teenage boys from the same school who all want to dress like gang members?

This movie simply goes nowhere. Suggestion to the producers and the director - next time, hire some real writers. Two thumbs down. More, if I had any more thumbs.

Do NOT waste any time on this movie!

[80sChild · 14 April 2000]

Okay, this is supposed to be set in 1981? I sure couldn't tell by the baggy, dull "grunge" era type clothes they wore! I mean, what was the point of setting it in '81? I guess for the soundtrack maybe? Oh well. I had almost no sympathy for these girls, except for Brenda, because she was abused by her evil stepfather. I just did not see the point to this movie. All it was were 2 high school girls sleeping around, taking drugs, and partying. That's pretty much the whole concept of the movie (and it's ironic title). Don't bother with this one. AT ALL!