Whatever It Takes
2009

Representation Score
Fair
2002
Director
Scott Hamilton Kennedy
Runtime
76 minutes
Average Rating
No ratings yetNew Showbiz Analysis
Scott Hamilton Kennedy’s documentary uses Thornton Wilder’s classic play as a metaphor to bridge Western literature with the sociological realities of Compton. It successfully disrupts the idealized, nostalgic cliché of small-town Americana by replacing it with a complex study of community resilience and historical justice. The film's primary strength is its deconstruction of the 'standard' American narrative. By centering the experiences of a diverse student body, it highlights the tension between idealized traditions and the systemic realities of racial and socioeconomic identity.
Category Breakdown
The film focuses on racial and socioeconomic dynamics within Compton. It does not explicitly center LGBTQ+ narratives, as the investigation remains concentrated on racial segregation and systemic exclusion.
The narrative avoids traditional gender hierarchies by emphasizing the collaborative environment where students take a leading role. It highlights the collective human spirit and educational empowerment over individualistic, gendered leadership roles.
The documentary excels by deconstructing the monolithic American town. It provides a significant role in driving the story to underrepresented voices, using Compton to challenge the historical whitewashing of the American archetype.
The film examines Western social structures through a critical lens. It frames past institutional norms as exclusionary, prioritizing a sociological critique of power dynamics and identity-based struggles.
There is no significant evidence regarding the portrayal of physical or neurodivergent disabilities as a primary narrative element.
Present on Screen
Limited or Absent
Official Synopsis
Against all odds, the first theatrical production in over 20 years at Dominguez High School is going to be Thornton Wilder's American classic Our Town. The kids at this Compton school are about to experience more than a culture clash, as they embark on a rich journey and discover the educational and social value of theater. OT: Our Town tells the story of human spirit and its strength against the stereotypes holding them down. Where Thornton Wilder wrote about little Grover's Corners, this documentary exemplifies how Our Town is every town. Our Town is Compton.
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