Director: Gil Junger
Starring: Julia Stiles,Heath Ledger,Larisa Oleynik,Joseph Gordon-Levitt
At the beginning of “10 Things I Hate About You,” Bianca Stratford (Larisa Oleynik), one of the most popular (and desirable) girls in school says to her friend Chastity (Gabrielle Union), “There's a difference between like and love. I mean I like my Skechers, but I love my Prada backpack.” Chastity replies, “But I love my Skechers,” and Bianca, always the wiser, explains, “That's because you don't have a Prada backpack.”
Later in the movie, Bianca asks her dad, “Can we for two seconds ignore the fact that you are severely unhinged and discuss my need for a night of teenage normalcy?” Like most teenybopper high school movies, “10 Things I Hate About You” attempts to shed some light on teenage normalcy. Unlike most teen romps, “10 Things,” manages to do this somewhat successfully, including smart, witty dialogue, wonderful romantic chemistry, and characters we can actually relate to.
Julia Stiles gives an intelligent and charming performance as Katarina (Kat) Stratford, a Daria-like high school student who is just plain sick of high school. Bianca is her very popular sister who wants to take high school by storm. When new guy Cameron (Joseph Gordon Levitt of “Third Rock from the Sun”) moves to their high school, he is immediately smitten with Bianca. However, there are two problems with this. First, Bianca has her eye on the school stud (i.e. womanizer), Joey (Andrew Keegan). Secondly, the Stratfords’ extremely overprotective single dad won’t let Bianca date until Kat does. Since Kat doesn’t plan on giving any of the guys in her school the time of day, poor Cameron’s chances don’t look too good. Finally, he coerces Joey to bribe Patrick (Heath Ledger), the resident bad guy, to take Kat out. In any other movie, this plot would be overused and childish, but in “10 Things,” it works.
Part of this movie’s charm comes from the performances. Stiles is intelligent beyond her years, and delivers each sarcastic comment with impeccable comic timing. Oleynik is perfect as the materialistic princess Bianca. She spends most of the movie trying to make Kat miserable, and the two actresses clearly had fun with it. Ledger is outstanding (and looks pretty good too) as Patrick, whom everybody thinks is such a rebel, but really is simply sick of high school just like Kat. Although he looks a little too old to be in high school, he and Stiles bicker hilariously ad believably. Additionally, the two have amazing chemistry, and the sparks really fly when they get into a hot and heavy game of paintball.
Aside from the lead characters, the supporting characters are just as interesting. Larry Miller gives a deadpan performance as the Stratfords’ dad, and the teachers in the school are as interesting as the students. For example, Allison Janney plays a bored guidance counselor who is trying to finish writing a trashy romance novel, and Daryl “Chill” Mitchell plays an English teacher who likes to rap the words to Shakespearean sonnets.
Finally, there are a few added bonuses. Since “10 Things” is based on Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew,” look for some subtle, some not so subtle references to Shakespeare interspersed throughout the movie. Also, look for hilarious outtakes during the ending credits. Strategically placed extras, such as those, coupled with strong writing and standout performances make “10 Things” a must see. I guarantee that once you start, you won’t be able to stop watching it. I certainly can’t take me eyes off it, especially when Heath Ledger is in the scene.
