Dir. Gil Junger, US, 1999, 97 mins
Cast: Heath Ledger, Julia Stiles, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Larisa Oleynik
Review by Matthew Rodgers
10 Things I Hate About You (or TTIHAY, as it will be referred to from here onwards) will most likely be remembered as the film that launched Heath Ledger’s (underachieving) career. It should however be noted as one of the most sharply scripted and charming entries into the teen comedy genre that became an overcrowded classroom at the beginning of the decade, with films such as American Pie, She’s All That, and Road Trip all showing up for roll call. The extra credit given to this pupil is the fact that it has a very credible influence, Mr William Shakespeare.
Say it very slowly and even the title matches the source material, “The Taming of the Shrew” on the iambic pentameter. One of the least subtle references of the film but effective in educating the target audience of Freddie Prinz Jnr fans to the fact that there is more than just a charisma void and polished smile on offer. It’s no coincidence that prior to this, the most critically acclaimed film of the genre was Clueless, which also borrowed from a literary classic with Jane Austin’s Emma.
Essentially Shakespeare for the MTV generation, TTIHAY unfolds due to the crush Cameron Josh (3rd Rock’s Joseph Gordon-Levitt) develops on his first day of school. His object of affection is the popular Bianca Stratford (get it? Upon-Avon!) whose father will not allow her to date boys until her man despising sister Kat (Julia Stiles) does the same. Cameron decides to overcome this obstacle by offering to teach French, which he doesn’t speak, to Bianca and setting up Kat with the rebellious hunk Patrick Verona (get it?) played by the aforementioned Ledger.
The clever screenplay is complimented by the universally impressive cast. Julia Stiles has subsequently not matched her performance as the thawing ice maiden, and Larry Miller is hilarious as the gynaecologist father who in one classic scene forces his daughter to parade around in a pregnancy simulator as a warning of underage sex. Top of the class honours go to Heath Ledger, his reluctant charm is the catalyst for Kats transformation and the majority of the films key developments. He is also responsible for the obligatory musical scene that surpasses both Ferris Buellers Day Off, and more impressively John Cusack’s iconic boombox above the head moment in Cameron Crowe’s Say Anything, as he serenades Kat with “too good to be true”.
You may find one or two things to hate about the film but definitely not ten. It should be considered for graduation from your average school of teen comedies because although it’s obvious from the opening scene where the story is going, the enthusiasm of the ensemble cast make sure that the journey is incredible fun.
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