Released in March of 1999, 10 Things I Hate About You is another movie in the series of updated Shakespeare writings made in to movies. This movie having been made into a high-school based ’’Taming of the Shrew’’.
Meet the Stratfords
Kat Stratford (Julia Stiles) is the shrew of the senior Padua High School class in Seattle, Washington (actually a school in Tacoma, but who’s paying attention!). Scorned by her popular classmates, she is sarcastic and dives into her passions, which include soccer, music and books. Her sister, Bianca (Larisa Oleynik), is a pretty and outgoing sophomore, who wants nothing more than to date Joey Donner (Andrew Keegan). Mr. Stratford, oddly enough, is a gynecologist who has forbidden Bianca to date anyone until the formidable Kat dates, which he is certain is never, since he knows his daughter has become a social rebel. Favorite date repellant: having his daughters wear the fake pregnant belly before a date to deter them from being ’’impregnated by big fat bikers; full of...’’..uh, never mind. This review is rated G.
Meet the Dates
Joey Donner wants to date Bianca Stratford. He is a popular, good-looking, and full-of-himself senior, who is also a model. He knows, however, the rules of the infamous Stratfords. Cameron is the shy guy who wants to date Bianca as well and is willing to do anything to get her, including pretending he knows fluent French so he can tutor her in it. Both boys know of her father’s strict rules concerning his daughter’s dating, but only one is clever enough to bend the rules to his liking. Patrick (Heath Ledger), the rebel in school, is consequently paid money to the sum of a few hundred dollars to date Kat so Joey can take Bianca to the prom.
Unrelated Hilarity-A Sneak Peek at What You’re In For
The crashing of Bogie Lowenstien’s party. To get back at Bogie for not letting him join his nerd club, Cameron’s friend distributes ’’corrected ’’ flyers about Bogie’s party. Instead of an intellectual cheese and wine party among a small group of friends, the entire school was invited to Bogie Lowenstien’s keg party. Bogie to friends: ’’Oh, that must be Nigel with the Brie.’’ Smug smirk. And a few hundred drinking teenagers storm the house and set up a DJ table and a keg stand within a few seconds. All of the main characters show up, of course, including Cameron in his parents’ Volvo. Bianca gets ditched by Joey so he can practice his model poses in front of an awed audience. Kat, forced into going so Bianca could come (dad’s rules!), becomes annoyed by Joey and drinks until she is dancing on a table top and knocks herself out on the chandelier. Ending a fine night had by all, Patrick takes Kat outside where she becomes charmed by him, then throws up all over his lovely shoes. Choice.
’’Oh, What a Tangled Web We Weave’’-Shakespeare
Patrick breaks out of his bad-boy image to woo the formidable Kat, stooping even to singing and dancing like a goof on the grandstands while she’s playing soccer. Along the way, and unbeknownst to them, they fall for each other. Meanwhile, back at the ranch.....er, school.....Bianca is being wooed by Joey and Cameron and having a grand time. But Patrick feels guilty for taking money to date a girl he genuinely likes and Joey has a secret mission. Things come to a head in the middle of the senior prom, like the proverbial dreaded teenage pimple on the big night.
What I Think
10 Things I Hate About You is a movie that I can watch over and over again, with different audiences. The leading cast is perfect, each actor a match for the actress. The chemistry between the lovebird couples is well played.
This movie was filmed on location in Seattle and Tacoma, Washington. Different sites, such as the Fremont Troll and Gasworks Park, could be seen, although I have never seen a paintball park at the Gasworks. All in all, the location was magical to me, because I am familiar with it, and it made it that much more real to me.
The soundtrack is good listening, if you like punk and ska. However, it fit really well with the storyline. I liked the soundtrack CD, but only really liked the song ’’I want you to want me’’, performed at the end of the movie, from on top of the school.
Considering this is a teen movie, I think it’s one of the best out there, compared with American Pie and the Scary Movie spoofs. There is no blatant sexual undertones, although Kat does flash her PE coach to get Patrick out of detention. Seeing as though I first watched this with my dad, I’d have to say this is tame. My dad didn’t fast forward the movie or cover my eyes at any part (just kidding, he wouldn’t do that........anymore).