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Whatever It Takes

Name: Whatever It Takes
Director: Christopher C.C. Wong
Released: 2009

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Representation Score

5.8/10

Fair

2009

Director

Christopher C.C. Wong

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Whatever It Takes succeeds by centering the lived experiences of the South Bronx community. By focusing on the ability to act of local leaders and students, the film addresses systemic social structures and community resilience. The documentary's strength lies in its authentic portrayal of racial and cultural diversity, providing a platform for non-white protagonists to drive the narrative. This approach offers a gritty, realistic look at educational reform through a lens of social progress. However, the film's scope is narrow regarding identity politics. It lacks representation for LGBTQ+ individuals and provides no specific evidence of disability representation, focusing instead on socioeconomic and educational struggles.

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Category Breakdown

Does Whatever It Takes have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film focuses on educational reform and student-teacher dynamics. It does not explore non-traditional gender or sexual identities.

How does Whatever It Takes portray gender?

Fair

Sharifea Baskerville serves as a central protagonist, providing a nuanced portrayal of female resilience. This challenges traditional narratives that often prioritize male leadership.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Whatever It Takes?

Excellent

The documentary centers on the South Bronx, providing significant roles for characters of color. Principal Edward Tom and Sharifea Baskerville represent a non-Anglo-Saxon majority.

How does Whatever It Takes represent religion and culture?

Good

The narrative engages with systemic issues by framing the South Bronx as a community in need of innovation. It prioritizes collective social progress over bureaucratic norms.

Does Whatever It Takes include disability representation?

Minimal

While the film explores troubled youth, there is no specific evidence of characters with visible or invisible disabilities.

Present on Screen

Highlights the diverse racial makeup of the South Bronx community.
Provides strong roles for characters of color, including the principal and students.
Features a nuanced portrayal of female resilience through the central character.

Limited or Absent

Lacks explicit LGBTQ+ representation or non-traditional gender arcs.
Does not include characters with visible or invisible disabilities.
Focuses primarily on socioeconomic and educational struggles without exploring other identities.

Official Synopsis

WHATEVER IT TAKES chronicles the struggles and triumphs of the very first year of the Bronx Center for Science & Mathematics, an innovative public high school set in NYC’s South Bronx. This deeply emotional, character-driven documentary focuses on Edward Tom, the school’s dynamic rookie principal, and Sharifea Baskerville, a talented but troubled ninth-grade girl. Grittily, realistic, yet ultimately triumphant, WHATEVER IT TAKES paints a compelling picture of cutting-edge ideas and dedicated individuals, united in their vision to restore hope to a broken community.

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