One of the simplest ways to understand different periods of history is through watching period films or contemporary-themed films made during those times. The Reagan years are no exception. Future generations will experience 1980s America not through newspaper clippings, contemporary testimonies, or boring statistics, but through Hollywood films. The life of American teenagers in the 1980s will be imagined through Hollywood teen comedies. However, the accuracy of the portrayal of that era in these films is often questionable. Susan Skoog, a filmmaker displeased with this perception, attempted to provide a more accurate depiction of the 1980s in her 1998 semi-autobiographical drama, Whatever.
The plot is set in a small New Jersey town in 1981, following 17-year-old Anna Stockard (played by Liza Weil) who dreams of an artistic career instead of focusing on her upcoming high school graduation. Her divorced mother, Carol (played by Kathryn Rossiter), advises her to find a rich husband for financial security. Mr. Chaminsky (played by Frederic Forrest) encourages her to apply to a prestigious art school in New York. Anna's best friend, Brenda Talbot (played by Chad Morgan), offers a different lifestyle revolving around alcohol, drugs, and casual sex. As Anna spends more time partying with Brenda, her grades suffer, and her love life becomes complicated when Brenda gets involved with Zak (played by Dan Montano), a young man with a criminal past.
Filmed with a relatively small budget, Whatever effectively recreates early 1980s America. Unlike other nostalgic films, Whatever focuses on the flaws and discomforts of the era rather than romanticizing it. Skoog's portrayal of youth in the 1980s as confused, disconnected from adults, and unaware of future troubles is bleak and realistic. The film's lack of a strong plot structure allows Skoog to delve into finer details, such as a realistic and unromanticized depiction of losing one's virginity.
Despite its lack of well-known actors, the performances in Whatever are strong, with Fredric Forrest standing out in a small role. While the film may be unsettling, it serves as a powerful antidote to excessive 1980s nostalgia.
Rating: 7/10 (+++)
(Note: This review was originally posted on the Usenet newsgroup rec.arts.films.reviews on June 21, 2004)
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