(NOTE: Capsule version of the review is available here.)
Late 1990s Hollywood trend of using classic literature as basis for teen-oriented films included the works of William Shakespeare. His comedy The Taming of the Shrew became basis of 10 Things I Hate About You, 1999 film directed by Gil Younger.
The plot is set in Padua Hills, fictional suburb of modern-day Seattle. Bianca Stanford (played by Larisa Oleynik) is the most beautiful and the most popular girl who attends Padua High School. As such, she object of desire of most of her male classmates, which includes recently arrived Cameron James (played by Joseph Gordon-Leavitt). Bianca would love to date Joey Donner (played by Andrew Keegan), equally popular male student, but that is prevented by strict rules in the home of Stratfords. Her father Walter Stratford (played by Larry Miller) is gynaecologist afraid that Bianca might become his patient, so he forbids her from going out. Those restrictions for Bianca, on the other hand, might be lifted if her seemingly more mature and responsible sister Kat (played by Julia Stiles) wins the same privilege. The problem is that Kat is grungy pseudo-feminist who uses all the opportunity to express her utter disdain to all males. Although they are rivals, Joey and Cameron, advised by their friend Michael Eckman (played by Dave Krumholtz), seek help from Patrick Verona (played by Heath Ledger), student with “bad boy” reputation. He is asked to use his roguish charm and rebellious disposition to seduce Kat, ask her for a date and thus liberate Bianca. Plan works, but complications arise when Patrick realise that he has actually fallen in love with Kat.
Despite being based on centuries old text and employing decade old cliches of teen comedies set in modern US high school, 10 Things I Hate About You looks surprisingly refreshing. Script by Karen McLullah Lutz and Kirsten Smith almost flawlessly adapt Shakespeare’s text to modern surrounding, with Seattle, arguably the “coolest” major US city in 1990s, providing good setting. What is even more important, scriptwriters find perfect balance between adherence to Shakespeare’s basic plot and modern era humour, with couple of pop culture references and some mild social commentary. What is even more important, humour is much more intelligent and definitely over the toilet standards of films like American Pie. The film also benefits from an excellent cast. Gil Younger, director for whom this film represented feature debut, obviously had some fun with casting and used many opportunities to pay homage to important films and their makers. An example could be found in one of the characters being named after James Cameron, while David Krumholtz and Heath Ledger are made to look like teen versions of Martin Scorsese and Harvey Keitel. The best impression in the cast was made by Julia Stiles who excels in what looked like a thankless role of rebellious shrewish young woman who ultimately succumbs to romantic conformities. For Stiles, as well as young Australian actor Heath Ledger, 10 Things I Hate About You represented big breakout role and Stiles, Ledger and Gordon-Leavitt would in later years accomplish great things on big screen. Supporting cast is also quite impressive, like Larry Miller in the role of overprotective father and Allison Janney as guidance councillor with unusual hobby. Despite predictability of the plot, Younger’s film was charming and likeable for most of its running time and thus, apart from audience, managed to win even critics that are usually not too keen on teen comedies. In 2009 attempt to remake the film as television sitcom lasted for one season, while in 2012 Gil Younger tried to make 10 Things I Hate About Life, some sort of “spiritual” semi-sequel starring Evan Rachel Wood and Thomas McDonnell, which ended unfinished.
RATING: 7/10 (+++)
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