Whatever

REVIEW
A painfully hip '90s-era title marks an affecting, realistic coming-of-age drama set in the early '80s. Weil is extremely convincing as an alienated high schooler with a great talent for painting (guided by her supportive art teacher played with over-the-top zeal by Forrest), who is caught between her ne'er-do-well friends and her artistic dreams. While the inappropriate title suggest a sneering, pandering, clichéd slam at suburbia (and there is a dollop of that, unfortunately), Whatever is, for the most part, a tough but heartfelt portrait of a good but troubled kid going through universal growing pains. Nothing new here, but Skoog's sensitive script and direction, Weil's highly appealing performance, and a knockout soundtrack make this a winner. The ending is oddly moving and evocative.