Whatever (1998)

User Rating:

6.2/10   

Director:

Susan Skoog

Writer:

Susan Skoog (writer)

Release Date:

10 July 1998 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

1981. In an era of just say no, they said yes.

Plot:

A teen faces her impending adulthood in the carefree sex and drug revolution years of the early 80's prior to fears of AIDS...

Plot Keywords:

Drugs | Sex | High School | New Jersey | Art Teacher

Cast

Liza Weil	...	Anna Stockard
Chad Morgan	...	Brenda Talbot
Frederic Forrest	...	Mr. Chaminski
Kathryn Rossetter	...	Carol Stockard
Marc Riffon	...	Martin
Dan Montano	...	Zak
John G. Connolly	...	John Woods
Gary Wolf	...	Eddie
Tony Torn	...	Mr. Stanley
Trey Compton	...	Sam
Joe Mantragna	...	Chris
Matt Rumbaugh	...	Tony
Jim Neville	...	Rob
Garret Spencer	...	Joe
Destiny Matranga	...	Lynn

MPAA:

Rated R for pervasive teen drug and alcohol use, language including sexual dialogue, sexuality and some violence.

Runtime:

112 min

Country:

France | USA

Language:

French | English

Color:

Color

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Portugal:M/16 | Argentina:16 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Red Bank, New Jersey, USA

Company:

Anyway Productions

Goofs:

Anachronisms: Sam can be seen in at least two scenes wearing Batman: The Animated Series pajamas. BTAS debuted in 1992. Whatever takes place in 1981.

Soundtrack:

Angel From Montgomery

I loved it!

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!