Title: 10 Things I Hate About You
Starring: Julia Stiles, Heath Ledger, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Larisa Oleynik
Synopsis: As a new student, Cameron James (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is given a tour of Padua High School by audiovisual geek Michael Eckman (David Krumholtz) in which he notices the pretty and popular Bianca Stratford (Larisa Oleynik). Cameron instantly becomes infatuated with Bianca, despite being warned by Michael that she is a ‘conceited, snotty little princess’, in this modern day take on William Shakespeare’s ‘The Taming of the Shrew‘.
After attempting to ask Bianca out on a date, Cameron learns that Bianca and her sister Kat (Julia Stiles) have been set strict rules by their controlling father: they’re not allowed to have relationships until after graduation. However, later this rule is adjusted after their father learns of Kat’s attitude towards dating and so he agrees: if Kat starts dating, then Bianca can start dating too. Therefore, if Cameron could set Kat up with another guy, then the girl of his dreams – Bianca Stratford – would ultimately become available.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uE7qjQlfoRs]
Sounds simple, right? Well, maybe so, if Kat wasn’t a rebellious feminist who was against dating (and spent her days listening to Riot Grrrl music and reading the works of Sylvia Plath). However, desperate to take Bianca out, Cameron searches for a guy who he thinks Kat would give the time of day, to which he finds Patrick Verona (Heath Ledger). Known for his careless attitude, smoking habits and general ‘bad boy’ reputation, Cameron is convinced that if any guy can win Kat over, it’s Patrick. After all, he’s the closest thing to the male equivalent of Kat herself.
Patrick is reluctant to ask Kat out, but soon changes his mind when fellow student Joey Donner (Andrew Keegan) offers to pay him, as Joey also plans to court Bianca. Kat initially rejects Patrick’s advances, but can he woo her in an attempt of making Bianca available to date? If so, with Joey and Cameron competing against each other, who will ultimately win Bianca’s heart?
Watch it if you liked: Clueless, Never Been Kissed, Strike!, She’s All That
Rating: 7/10 – It’s satirical; yet romantic, amusing and thoroughly enjoyable viewing – as far as teen movies go. Prudently written, Karen McCullah Lutz and Kirsten Smith successfully steer clear of the ‘cheesy romantic-comedy’ that this movie could’ve easily been turned into, however timeless the original theme may be.
Breakout performances from Stiles, Ledger and Gordon-Levitt also make 10 Things I Hate About You all the more impressive – and arguably one of the best teen movies of the 90’s.
Words by Megan Wilson