10 Things I Hate About You (1999)

 

We have now arrived at the third and concluding film for our project on Teen Classic Literary Adaptations. This is a childhood movie that my sister and I both enjoyed immensely. Here, we’ve rectified many of the issues raised about the two films I covered. For example, the girl who is being bet on takes center stage as the main character, allowing us to get to know and invest in her. The supporting characters are more interesting, the plot is engaging, the two leads have ah-mazing chemistry, and the movie as a whole is just a fun watch. I've had a blast! As you may know, this is by far the best of the three movies.

As is tradition, let's give some insight into the source material. The movie is based on Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew. So the story goes like this: The main plot involves the courtship of Loveable Cad Petruchio and the wealthy yet tempestuous Katherina. Now there are many interpretations of Petruchio and Katherina. But considering the time of the play, people often interpret the character of Petruchio as a quintessential misogynist who aims to subdue Katherina and acts as a complete and utter opportunist. Many view Katherina as one of the first feminist protagonists who defies societal norms imposed on women. To tame Katherina, Petruchio becomes outright abusive, whether physically or psychologically. Oh yeah, just to mention, this is one of Shakespeare's more "comedic" plays. Bianca, Katherina’s sister, also has a subplot where she seeks a suitor, but her father’s decree prevents her from marrying until Katherina does. Bianca has a "softer" approach to femininity and is seen as the ideal woman by most men. Let's just say that the themes of the play haven't aged well. But that didn't stop it from getting adaptations, however. 

There was a sequel written by John Fletcher, titled The Woman's Prize, or The Tamer Tamed, published in 1611. To usher in a new female lead, Fletcher kills off Katherina. This might be a controversial move to some, but it basically follows the same plot as the original, with Petruchio pursuing a similar character named Maira. In this version, it's Petruchio who changes his ways. The play eventually ends with Petruchio and Maria having mutual respect for one another as they live their lawfully wedded lives.

Well into the late 1600s, there was a Scottish version titled Sauny the Scott, and in the 1700s, there were two rival plays, both named The Cobbler of Preston. 

And FINALLY, there was a highly successful adaptation by David Garrick, simply titled Catherine and Petruchio, released in 1754. This theatrical run extended into the 1880s. In the early 1900s, the year 1924 saw the production of operas, ballets, and even a radio play.

The silent film era saw the release of the first film adaptation of The Taming of the Shrew in 1908. But it wasn't until 1929 that the source material got a talkie treatment. However, in this version, Katherina only pretends to be "tamed" and is very sure of herself as a woman. Which I prefer as a better ending, to be honest, and from what I gather, many other film adaptations took this in stride. 

The Broadway musical Kiss Me Kate, featuring music and lyrics by Cole Porter, debuted in 1948. Rather than directly adapting “The Taming of the Shrew,” this work delves into the production aspects of a Broadway musical derived from it. The main characters are the egotistical stage director Fred Graham and his movie-star ex-wife, Lilli Vanessi. It delves into the broader meta aspect of their relationship and how it bleeds into the fictional characters Petruchio and Katherina. The Broadway version would eventually be adapted into a well-remembered film version starring Kathryn Grayson, Howard Keel, Ann Miller, and a cameo by Bob Fosse. 

Then, in 1963, there was a Western version titled McLintock! Starring Maureen O'Hara and...John Wayne. If you examine John Wayne's racist and misogynistic history, you can see that this role suited him perfectly. 

The 1967 adaptation starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton is probably the most renowned of the earlier versions. Unfortunately, it's a faithful adaptation. And I say, "unfortunately," because film critic Elizabeth Schafer called the film intensely conservative, pointing out the infamous blurb, "A motion picture for every man who ever gave the back of his hand to his beloved...and for every woman who deserved it." YIKES. The on-screen chemistry between Taylor and Burton is kind of unnerving to watch, considering their complicated dynamic in real life. When you add a bit of psychological, verbal, and physical abuse into the mix, it almost turns into an anti-romantic comedy, and not in a good way.  Despite being nominated for Best Costume Design and Best Art Direction at the Oscars, in retrospect, this film hasn't aged quite well. 

In 1973, Charles Marowitz did an existential horror take on the source material titled The Shrew. The work adopts the tone of a gothic tragedy, focusing on Katherina’s perspective. There is no humor in this play; instead, it plays out like a psychological drama/thriller of sorts. It usually parallels the main couple with a secondary modern couple, juxtaposing the views of marriage through a psychosocial and psychosexual lens. To hammer this home, by the end of the play, Katherina is in her wedding dress, wrapped in chains as funeral bells ring in the background. This symbolic image vindicates Elizabeth Schafer's claims of conservatism and misogyny that often plague the source material. Additionally, this occurred during the early stages of feminism, and Marowitz took advantage of it to challenge viewers rather than gently leading them. The bold and unapologetic reimagining achieved great success, and subsequently, modern adaptations incorporated similar feminist principles. 

We then fast-forward to 20-some odd years later, when The Teen Literary Adaptation is on a roll. Writers and longtime friends Karen McCullah Lutz and Kristen Smith came up with the concept for 10 Things I Hate About You while watching the movie Clueless. Who would’ve thought? In response to the mid-nineties teen film craze, Lutz and Smith developed a screenplay in 1997. It wasn't long before the execs at Touchstone took notice, and the film was eventually greenlit in the early spring of 1998. But the question is... how can you adapt one of Shakespeare's most misogynistic plays and turn it into a modern romantic comedy? The outcome: the most highly revered teen movies of the 90s, standing as a strong and worthy competitor to Clueless.

The cast, as usual, features many recognizable faces from the 90s and early 2000s. Most notably, the main stars, Julia Stiles, Heath Ledger, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, would become Hollywood Royalty.

But the real standouts for me are the hilarious supporting cast. You have Larry Miller, whom I know from The Nutty Professor, as Walter Stratford, the uptight, overbearing dad who regulates Kat and Bianca's dating choices. Darryl "Chill" Mitchell as the no-nonsense English teacher, Mr. Morgan, who always puts his students in their place. And lastly, we have the comedic genius, Allison Janney, who gives a memorable performance as the school guidance counselor and aspiring erotic novelist, Ms. Perky. Additionally, Janney was booked and busy, as she also starred in the cult-classic comedy Drop Dead Gorgeous. She's a riot in that, too. You should definitely check it out. 

As far as the tone and setting go, it kind of mediates between the two previous movies. You have the sunny, carefree tone of She's All That, yet it also possesses the prestige of Cruel Intentions. The vibrant and unconventional San Francisco environment imbues the film with a strong sense of individuality, positioning it as an excellent choice for a modernized Shakespearean narrative. The characters are smart, witty, and not the usual teen stereotypes you see in every YA film. So, as I go through the list of the many characters in this movie, I would like to point out that they're all connected to our main character, Kat.

First up is Cameron James, the new student, portrayed by Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Cameron serves as the observer, acting as an audience surrogate. He gains an understanding of the school’s complexities under the guidance of Ivy League Club Member Michael Eckman. As expected, Michael explains the different cliques, social groups, and where to fit in. That's when he focuses on the Stratford sisters, Kat and Bianca. 

Cameron instantly takes a liking to Bianca and agrees to be her tutor for her French class, even though he's not quite good at it himself.  Cameron thinks he has a shot by asking her out; however, Michael tells him that her dad would only let Bianca date if Kat dates. Cameron and Michael soon devise a scheme to bet with their schoolmates on who can date Kat, allowing Cameron to pursue Bianca. Now, as you all may know, this seems to be a difficult task. 

But when Cameron makes a sly mention of Kat's dating woes, this sparks Bianca's interest. But unbeknownst to him, Bianca really has her eyes on the school douchebag Joey Donner and sort of friend-zones Cameron. This all changes on the night of Bogey's party, where Bianca reciprocates Cameron's feelings. 

So Bianca just got duped by Joey, and Cameron kindly offers her a ride home, but not without giving her a talking-to. 

He levels an accusation at her, calling her selfish, and in that moment, Bianca experiences a profound realization. Now, in most movies of this caliber, it would be around the last second or first third act that a main character would realize their own flaws, but surprisingly, on a whim, they kiss for the first time. As a result, Cameron and Bianca have officially formalized their relationship. This contrasts with Kat and Patrick. It doesn't run as smoothly. With Joey Donner’s help, Patrick Verona, who just arrived from Australia, is the only guy Cameron and Michael persuaded to date Kat. So here they are, in the car together, and Kat is...a little tipsy. More on that later. What makes it awkward between them is that Kat is developing feelings for Patrick. Yes, Kat Stratford, the girl with a chip on her shoulder, actually has feelings for a guy. The issue is that Patrick shares those same emotions, but he’s unable to fully return them. So Kat goes in for a kiss, but Patrick just couldn't accept it because if he did, it wouldn't ring true. And this could stem from Kat's inebriation and Patrick's character, as he doesn't take advantage of women, showing respect for Kat in that regard. I see this as a sort of sad moment because Kat actually softened up to him, and Patrick was beginning to actually like her. However, something keeps getting in the way...

Anywho, despite the oversight with the prom invitation, Cameron and Bianca are in a good place, and ultimately, Cameron has succeeded in winning her affections. 

Joseph Gordon-Levitt was just absolutely adorable. His most well-known works around this time included Angels in the Outfield (a film my sister and I watched dozens of times) and the sitcom 3rd Rock from the Sun. He had a few small supporting roles in movies, including a memorable opening scene in Halloween H20, but it was this movie that catapulted him into superstardom. He just has this impeccable charm to him that is so infectious, and he makes Cameron an easy character to root for.

Joseph is, as I would like to call him, a genre-buster. A genre-buster is an actor who would nail any film genre. An early example would be Barbara Stanwyck. That level of talent allowed him to build a profitable career in movies like Mysterious Skin, Inception, Looper, The Dark Knight Rises, and 500 Days of Summer, playing a similar character with a subversive twist.  Not only is he an immensely talented actor, but he's also one of my biggest childhood crushes, which adds to his alluring mystique.

Now we move on to Bianca Stratford, played by Ms. Alex Mack herself, Larisa Oleynik. Bianca is Kat's pretty, popular sister who is right at the cusp of sixteen. So at this point in her life, Bianca is interested in seeking a male suitor, and most of the guys at her school are vying for her attention. But just like in the original text, her father forbids her to date anyone unless her sister dates. You see, she and Kat don't see eye to eye, and their social standings are vastly different. 

She thinks Kat is intentionally scaring the boys away to stop her from pursuing a relationship with Joey Donner, the campus heartthrob, but that’s not really the case...more on that later. 

While Bianca is pining after Joey, the new boy in school, Cameron crushes on her hard. He even volunteers to tutor her in French, even though he's not really good at French either. Bianca, in typical fashion, leverages her feminine charms to get Cameron to do as she pleases, such as setting Kat up with someone so she can date Joey. However, upon arriving at Bogey’s party, Bianca faces a harsh reality.

So Bianca finally gets with Joey, but their conversation is...lacking. Bianca soon realizes that Joey is a complete narcissist to the core. He goes on and on about how he looks in this shirt or how he looks in that shirt, how he looks in this pose or that pose. Not once does he ever consider talking about her wants, needs, or goals. It just goes entirely left-field. 

To add insult to injury, Joey takes off with her so-called best friend, Chasity (played by the one and only Gabrielle Union), leaving her stranded at the party. So that's when Bianca goes to Cameron for help. 

Bianca’s realization is that the allure of being part of the popular circle is not as appealing as she initially thought. Her best friend betrayed her, the guy she liked turned out to be a total douche, and she has some atonement for her past selfish behavior. Bianca briefly mentions that Kat herself was part of the popular crowd, but because of personal issues, she strayed away from the scene and accepted her status as a newly anointed outcast. I think at this moment, Bianca can finally see Kat's point of view. She comes to another realization that Cameron is her knight in shining armor. 

When he calls out her bullshit, he's frustrated, passionate, and brutally honest, which mirrors her own eternal struggles. 

To lessen the tension, Bianca kisses Cameron with deep meaning. She offers him reassurance and, in doing so, reassures herself. 

When she chooses Cameron as her suitor, Bianca gains a new lease on life and becomes a kinder, sweeter person. 

While the romantic comedy genre typically emphasizes romance, this film's genuine spirit lies in the sisterly bond between Kat and Bianca. Their dynamic reminds me of Daria and Quinn. Bianca is a social-climbing trendsetter, while Kat is a staunch feminist who wants to break out of the social norm. Although they make snide comments and subtle jabs at each other, you can tell they still care about one another. It may seem that Kat refuses to date boys just to spite Bianca, but the truth is, she's actually protecting her. 

The gist is that Kat dated a boy during her freshman and sophomore years. She soon confesses to Bianca that the boy was none other than Joey Donner, the resident jerk jock. Bianca refuses to believe that Kat and Joey were an item, considering their intense animosity. This prompts Kat to make another confession: Joey is the one she lost her virginity to. This explains why she's been trying to prevent Bianca from dating him. At first, she's upset with Kat but eventually comes around and forgives her sister on the night of the prom. 

From then on, Kat and Bianca seem to be on good terms, and with that, Bianca gains a bit of Kat's assertiveness when she kicks the ever-loving shit out of Joey. So I say, good for her on that. Who gives a damn about popularity when it's best to be around the people you care about? 

Overall, I find Bianca to be the second most interesting character alongside Kat. Larisa Oleynik's portrayal was so endearing and relatable that it's easy to overlook the character's past shortcomings, even though she could have come across as a shallow airhead. You kind of sense that, deep down, through her false bravado, there is a lost little girl who's just trying to fit in. Larisa was famous as a TV star, primarily for portraying Alex Mack in Nickelodeon's The Secret World of Alex Mack. I had to do a double take and say, "Wait, is that who I think it is?" and then I was like, "Oh yeah, that's definitely her."

I have to say, Larisa holds her own as a leading lady, and the chemistry between her and Joseph Gordon-Levitt is spot-on. It helps that the two dated for a while, and she even had a recurring role on Third Rock from the Sun to play on their romantic spark. Her initial choice was the more abrasive part of Kat, but I feel like this role is a good fit for her as well. She has this way of delivering an understated yet remarkably witty performance that's ripe for a teen romantic comedy. Larisa hasn't been acting in many movies these days, and her most well-known credit is a recurring role on Mad Men. But it would be nice if she had catapulted into teen superstardom with a headline or two. 

Now we have our focus on the film's antagonist, Joey Donner. Joey is sort of like a mixture of Zach Siler and Sebastian Valmont. On the Zach end of the spectrum, he is the charming yet pompous Big Man on Campus. On the Sebastian end of the spectrum, he manipulates and coerces girls into having sex with him. Looking back at the previous two movies, it's like the filmmakers had to go out of their way to redeem these two guys. Zach is the lesser of the two evils, thanks to the impeccably charming Freddie Prinze Jr. and the believable chemistry between him and Rachael Leigh Cook. So I guess I'll give him a pass. Sebastian, on the other hand...Well, just check out The Many Crimes of Sebastian Valmont in my Cruel Intentions review, and you'll see why Sebastian is a hell of a lot worse than Zach. But the point I'm trying to make is that Joey exhibits the worst qualities of Zach and Sebastian, and now that we're in a female point of view with a character like this, we can see why he doesn't go on some grand redemption arc to learn the error of his ways. Joey is a jerk, through and through. 

Now, at the beginning of the film, there is some unresolved tension between Kat and Joey. But it goes beyond her just hating him for pursuing her sister; it's much deeper than that. Since the cat's out of the Bag (no pun intended), Joey and Kat used to be an item. One thing led to another, and Kat ended up losing her virginity to him. Just to mention, Andrew Keegan would play a similar character in the film O, another Shakespeare-adjacent film, where he's accused of sleeping with Julia Stiles' character. How ironic. Oh, pardon me, let's continue. When Kat refuses to have sex with Joey again, he acts like the total douche that he is and dumps her. But Kat gets the last laugh and threatens that if he tells anyone about their consummation, she'll tell half the school about his "little member." And when you think about it, Joey definitely has that little dick energy going on. It shows that his high sense of self is a cover-up for his fragile masculinity. 

But it isn't until Prom Night that Joey finally gets his comeuppance. When Bianca gets word from his current girl of the week, Chasity, that the reason he agreed to the bet with Patrick was that he could sleep with Bianca on Prom Night, not only does she give him a piece of her mind, but she also gives him a good K.O. to the face.

Now poor little Joey has to wear sunglasses to cover his bruises. Well, there goes his promising modeling career.

Andrew Keegan delivered a believable performance as the school scoundrel, a role quite different from his boy-next-door roles. After a couple of acting credits in the early to mid-2000s, he would take a break from the industry... to become a cult leader? Yeah, my opinion on that is that I don't trust people who run cults. Anywho, the whole cult thing wouldn't last long, and soon, Andrew hopped back on the acting train. Maybe he might get another juicy role. I'm thinking he'd try his hand at playing...a charismatic cult leader. Art imitates life, after all. 

Just to squeeze this in here, I would like to talk about our beta couple in the film, Michael and Mandela. Their dynamic reminds me so much of Wednesday and Joel from Addams Family Values. Speaking of which, David Komlutz actually played the role of Joel. Oh, lovely Joel. I don't know; it's just something about him. It was when I was thinking those pesky little gay thoughts, and he was just the sweetest thing. I can see why Wednesday was slowly warming up to him. But now he's won the heart of another sullen goth girl, Mandela, played by Susan May Pratt, who also starred in You Drive Me Crazy that same year, which ALSO featured our girl Sabrina the Teenage Witch, AKA Melissa Joan Hart.

When it comes to her dynamic with Kat, she kind of reminds me of Jane from Daria. Yeah, I know I keep mentioning Daria when comparing this film, but I just get the feeling Daria also inspired the script. Despite Mandela’s comfort with being an outsider, she doesn’t shy away from extracurriculars and unexpectedly wants to go to prom, much to Kat’s disappointment. And I get the feeling that Mandela is sort of a drama-kid type, considering her fascination with Shakespeare. 

The dynamic between Cameron and Michael is that of an introverted and an extroverted nerd. Since Cameron is the newcomer, Michael shows him the ins and outs of Padua High, explaining the different cliques and social groups. Michael, in particular, is involved with the "high elite" nerds, where he has a friendly rivalry with the leader of the pack, Bogey Lowenstein. 

After Bogey kicked Michael out of the "high elite" club, Michael sought revenge by planning a rowdy house party at his mansion that united the two main couples. While Cameron takes a subtle route by volunteering to tutor French with his crush, Bianca, Michael, on the other hand, goes 100 miles and beyond by using his fast-talking ways to charm the girls, but they aren't really buying it. That is, until he runs into Mandela. At first, she doesn't seem interested, but once Michael quotes Shakespeare, it sparks Mandela's interest. Then, suddenly, Mandela receives notes from a secret admirer. We, the audience, know who this secret admirer is, and on Prom Night, Mandela finally finds her "Shakespeare..."

Of course, it's Michael. The moment Michael shows up on stage, dressed in his 16th-century garb, to impress Mandela as he beckons with his hand, is the cutest thing ever. They may be an unlikely match for some, but it works for me. 

Now we move on to our darling leads, Kat Stratford and Patrick Verona. 

 Let's start with Patrick Verona, played by the late, great Heath Ledger. Patrick is a mystery. He comes off as the typical brooding bad boy, with few words to say, and is not the most approachable guy.

 

While on their never-ending search for the perfect guy for Kat, Cameron and Michael run into Patrick. At first, Patrick doesn't budge, but when Joey Donner cuts in on the deal with confident swag and a wad of cash, Patrick gives in.

In contrast to the original, where his literary counterpart resorted to abusive tactics to control the female lead, Patrick opts to woo Kat instead. When Cameron receives personal info about Kat's interests from Bianca, he passes this along to Patrick. To get on Kat's good side, he uses his charm, or whatever charm he has left.

Then he goes to her hangout spot where her favorite band plays. She's a little impressed but still doesn't budge. Then there's the night of Bogey Lowenstien's party, where Patrick has a little hope. 

Upon witnessing Joey flirting with her sister, Kat decides to get drunk. While wildly dancing on a table in an intoxicated frenzy, she almost falls under, but Patrick, being her night in shining armor for the evening, catches her in time. 

After she gets a little air to cool off, Kat gets those fuzzy little feelings when she stares into Patrick's eyes. Therefore, a crush begins to form, and Kat actually opens up a little. This is when Patrick's tender, softer side begins to show. He's even nice enough to take her home, but when Kat waits for that special kiss, Patrick backs away. Granted, she is a little wasted and not in her right state of mind. However, Patrick might also feel guilty about the bet, now that he's grown to like her.

Still reeling from her rejection, Kat is back to her old self and tries her best to avoid Patrick. So, to make it up to her, Patrick makes a grand gesture of love that would lead to one of the most iconic moments in teen film history and make Heath Ledger a star.

During Kat's soccer practice, Patrick leads the marching band, belting out a rendition of Can't Take My Eyes Off You. You just gotta love it. Heath Ledger is just so gosh darn cute here. I know the teenage girls in the theater were swooning over him. Even my grown ass was blushing. Heath just had that effect on people. Not only that, he has some amazing pipes. If he were alive today, Heath would undoubtedly be a standout in a musical. Fun Fact! It was actually Julia Stiles' idea to include this scene. I must say, this woman is an actual genius. This grand gesture of love wins Kat over and quickly bails him out of detention...with a few tricks up her sleeve. More on that later. 

So Kat and Patrick finally spend the day together, where they get to have a little fun playing paintball wars, which seems like a good time. And that's when they share their first kiss...

When they arrive at Kat's house, Patrick tells a little bit about himself, though he doesn't reveal too much. Based on what little Patrick reveals, he’s an Australian who's from a single-parent household and is slowly adjusting to life in America. But when Kat wants to know more about his feelings for her, Patrick just kind of shrugs it off and says he just enjoys her company in blase tone. Kat doesn't want any of it and storms off in frustration. This could've been the moment where Patrick comes clean about The Bet thing and that he truly does have feelings for her, but he just can't bring himself to do it. It may seem that the movie portrays Kat as an ice queen who can never melt; however, it's actually Patrick who's the hard shell to crack. 

It's now Prom Night, and Kat has put her grievances aside and decides to go to the prom. Just so you know, Patrick is there, waiting for her. But oh no, he has something else up his sleeve: he convinced Kat's favorite band to perform for her on Prom Night. This would be his final declaration of love...

That's until Kat's arch-nemesis, Joey, comes and ruins everything. He reveals the bet he's made with Patrick, and Kat, once again, feels duped. Patrick tries to make it up to her by planting a kiss, but she doesn't budge and runs off. Will Patrick make it up to her this time?

I like that Patrick has many facets to his personality and how the film showcases his character development in each act. In the first act, he's distant, unapproachable, and he has very few lines. In the second act, when he pursues Kat, there is a charming side to him. He's funny, warm, and...actually romantic. In the final, third act of Patrick's transformation, he's incredibly empathetic, soft, and, overall, a person capable of love. Dare I say it, but Patrick...is probably the most interesting and well-written male lead, more than Zach and Sebastian combined.

Originally, Josh Hartnett was considered for the role of Patrick, as he was the go-to guy to play bad-boy types, but Heath Ledger just had that special quality about him. I think his first breakthrough role was in this obscure fantasy-adventure TV series called Roar back in 1997. It was around the time when shows like Hercules and Xena were really popular, and this show was kind of cashing in on that. Although the show didn't last long, I seem to remember, even as a kid, that...Heath Ledger just had that effect on me. I'm telling you, this was before puberty. Hell, I didn't even know I was gay yet. 

But then this movie comes along, and you can tell this guy was a movie star in the making. Apart from his chiseled good looks, he too is a genre-buster. Heath is just so unique in his approach, and he can easily get lost in a role. However, in this film, he seems to just play himself, which makes it more enjoyable to watch. After having a lucrative career in Hollywood, starring in iconic films such as Brokeback Mountain, he finally wins his Oscar for his role as The Joker in The Dark Knight Rises. His performance is by far one of the best in decades, and people still talk about his amazing acting talents to this day; R.I.P. Heath Ledger. 

Now, the moment you've been waiting for, and of course, I'll save the best for last. Here is our lady of the hour:

Kat Stratford, played by the oh-so sensational Julia Stiles.

You know what, I'm going to say it right off the bat: Kat is one of the most fascinating female characters in teen film history. Let me break it down.

Foremost, let's discuss Kat's amazing introduction. It first starts off like your usual squeaky-clean coming-of-age teen rom-com with four perky teenage girls driving to the remix of Barenaked Ladies', One Week. Then here comes Kat's beat-up 60s Dodge Dart while Joan Jett's Bad Reputation is blasting on the radio. She glares at the girls with her razor-sharp stare as they quickly avoid her gaze. Kat smiles in satisfaction and drives her way to the school parking lot. This shows that Kat is not someone you want to mess with and pretty much signals that she's "not like the other girls."

Kat has strong opinions, is blunt in her delivery, and doesn't mind being ostracized by her peers. But the movie doesn't treat this as a bad thing. It's actually admirable in a way. Sure, there's good with the bad when it comes to Kat's personality traits; however, it's her individuality that sets her apart from the usual YA protagonists. Because she has such a headstrong personality, Kat is often called a "heinous bitch," which she's quite proud of. Kat puts up a barrier to avoid showing any signs of vulnerability, not even towards her sister, and especially towards boys. But on the flip side, Kat's backstory pretty much telegraphs her open resentment toward her more popular classmates, including the school douchebag Joey Donner. Speaking of which, he just so happens to be an integral part of Kat's reputation as a shrew. 

It turns out that Kat was like the other girls, or still is, in some sense. According to Bianca, Kat was very popular once and actually dated Joey around her freshman/sophomore year. But as the story goes, the relationship didn't last long when Kat lost her virginity to him, and she didn't want to do it a second time. So it's sort of a "this is how we got here" moment when she confesses this to Bianca. After her breakup with Joey, Kat is, of course, ostracized by the popular crowd and creates a new persona. 

You see, this was around the time when the Riot Grrl movement was in full swing. These were the type of women who weren't afraid to be bold, opinionated, confrontational, and angry as hell. This marked the concluding phase of the proto-feminist movement, with Kat serving as its embodiment. This is why I find her more captivating than the two female leads in the previous two films. When it comes to Kat's love life, it's kind of complicated. As a result of Joey's mistreatment of her, Kat scares the boys away. But when Patrick Verona comes into the picture, she seems to have met her match.

He's not afraid to challenge her, yet he's sweet and romantic in his approach. The way they interact is similar to a classic 1930s duo known for their rapid-fire, amusing jabs; however, there is an underlying tension that they can't resist.   

And I have to admit, the chemistry between Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger is absolutely fire. Initially, Kat is unimpressed by Patrick's allure, so he has to put in a lot of effort to win her over. However, it's not until the night of Bogey's party that sparks begin to fly between them.

Kat's encounter with Joey leads her to believe he'll likely get his way with her sister, a prospect that deeply disgusts her. Out of pure impulse, she downs a few drinks to not only avoid Joey but to avoid Patrick as well. This leads to one of the funniest and most entertaining moments in the film. 

You see, Kat has mostly been a girl who's kept her guard up. She's very headstrong and takes herself seriously. But in this scene, Kat gets very tipsy and lets herself loose. And I must say, Julia Stiles has some amazing dance moves. Oh, and here's a fun fact: Julia Stiles improvised the dance moves, which eventually got her cast as the lead in Save the Last Dance, starring Sean Patrick Thomas, who was in our last movie, Cruel Intentions. I can just imagine the producer saying, "Oh, this Julia Stiles girl is kind of fly; she would be perfect as our lead!" How awesome is that!

So Patrick comes as her knight in shining armor when she almost falls off the table and takes her to get some air. As I've mentioned before, this is the juncture at which their mutual attraction begins. Kat's Ice Queen persona slowly chips away, going back to the smitten teenage girl she once was. She sees that Patrick is actually a gentleman and doesn't take advantage of her. So, she rewards him with a kiss...Unfortunately, he doesn't take it. This leaves Kat jaded, and as a result, she reverts to her Ice Queen mode. However, Patrick instantly wins Kat over when he makes his grand declaration of love during her soccer practice, prompting her to act spontaneously. 

To hatch a plan to get Patrick out of detention, Kat tries to distract the teacher on duty. Out of the blue, she flashes him. Like, actually flashes him...in front of the class. Wow, you don't write moments like that in a yearbook. I can just imagine one of the kids whispering, "Wow, this Kat girl isn't half bad at all." Now, I know this scene wouldn't fly today because it's a teenage girl flashing an older man, but it's still funny as hell. 

As we enter the second act of the film, Kat and Patrick go on their first date, and the place they choose looks like an absolute blast. Paintball Wars, you gotta love it. 

Then they have their first actual kiss, and our dear heroine Kat is in deep bliss. But when Kat tries to get to know Patrick on a personal level, she realizes that he's a very evasive guy with a hard shell to crack. Kat storms and takes some time to realize her own flaws. Therefore, she decides to be more open with her sister, leading to the penultimate scene in which Kat confesses to Bianca about her and Joey's previous relationship. It explains her distrust of boys and why her refusal to date them prevents Bianca from dating Joey. She didn't do it out of spite; she did it to protect her. However, because of her mom leaving the family and her own emotional baggage on top of that, it sort of delayed Kat's intervention to Bianca about her crush on Joey. 

Of course, Bianca is upset about this and chooses to wallow in her thoughts alone. As she watches Bianca sadly swing on a swing set, Kat makes her decision...

She finally goes to the prom.

This leaves Bianca to pair up with her high school sweetheart, Cameron, so they can dance that special dance. 

And then comes Patrick in all his marvelous glory, giving out his last gift to Kat: booking her favorite rock band to perform for her at the prom. This is when Kat realizes that this guy really, really likes her. But before they rejoice in each other's arms, here comes Kat's nemesis, Joey, to ruin everything. He tells her bluntly about the bet that he and Patrick made and that he literally had to bribe Patrick to date Kat. This devastates Kat, and she runs off. Patrick tries to explain, but to no avail. 

Oh no, we can't just let Joey off the hook for spilling the beans. His recent main squeeze spilled his own beans to Bianca about his bet with her, so, as you know, Bianca gives a nice punch to the face and a really nice kick to the balls for good measure. However, the prom ends on a bittersweet note as Patrick tries to explain his true feelings to Kat, but she wants none of it and bolts away, leaving Patrick to sulk along the staircase. 

The weekend saw Kat dedicating herself to the finishing touches of her English project, pouring her heart and soul into every word.

Then we reach the penultimate scene where Kat presents her project in English class, and there's Patrick, sitting right in front of her. 

Summoning her courage, Kat reads aloud her poem, "10 Things I Hate About You." Although Kat intended the poem to be misanthropic, she becomes emotional while reading it. At this moment, Kat isn't seen as a "shrew" or a "heinous bitch"... she's seen as a human being.

I just wanna say that Julia Stiles absolutely killed it in this scene. Originally, she wasn't supposed to cry in the script, but somehow those emotions came out, and she made the scene better for it. I just have that feeling that the producers looked at this scene and were like, "Wow, this girl is a star!"

Completely moved by her poem, Patrick sat there, wishing that he could hold her in his arms one more time. When their eyes connect, Kat quickly leaves, fearing another heartbreak. Patrick, determined not to lose Kat again, pursues her and confesses his love.

 

When Kat finally lets her guard down, Patrick makes his promise and seals it with a kiss. Finally, he makes one last declaration of love by gifting her a cherished guitar, and they share another passionate kiss. 

And with that, the movie ends with Letters to Cleo's I Want You to Want Me on the school rooftop.

Now, before I conclude this review, I would like to focus on the delightful Ms. Stiles and her incredible range as an actress. Julia, much like Joseph Gordon-Levitt on his way to stardom, began her career as a child actress. She appeared in a few minor supporting roles and was a candidate for the role of Claudia in Interview with the Vampire (Check out the review here: Interview with the Vampire Review), as well as a memorable guest role on my favorite childhood show, Ghostwriter. Her big break came in the 1998 indie psychological thriller Wicked. I'm not going to go too deep into the plot because it has some disturbing subject matter, but I will say that this is the role that got Julia Stiles noticed. She shows this level of intensity and maturity that is captivating to watch, and it's hard to believe she was only 16 when she got cast. It was actually this film that got her the role of Kat a year later. Initially, the filmmakers considered Eliza Dushku, best known as Faith from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, for the role of Kat. Eliza definitely has the Riot Grrl edge about her, but she'll eventually play a similar role in the movie Bring It On, which also stars our very own Gabrielle Union.

This role seems tailor-made for Julia Stiles. She truly knocked it out of the park, and this is by far one of her most iconic performances. She's up there with Sarah Michelle Gellar as a future Golden Globe or Oscar winner. This girl is wonderfully talented and has gone on to legendary cult status. The underlying factors contributing to her potential stardom are clear. Right in the center of the late 90s and early 2000s, Julia had the It Girl factor. She had a memorable supporting role in the Bourne franchise and, at one time, was a candidate to star as the lead in a film adaptation of Sylvia Plath's The Bell Jar. Most recently, the long-awaited project is in production with singer Billie Eilish. Yeah, I'm kind of on the fence with that one, but I might check it out if it's any good. 

Throughout the years, Stiles has mostly worked on indie projects and TV guest spots, most notably playing Lumen Ann Pierce in the TV series Dexter, which earned her an Emmy nomination. This movie, however, truly showcased her skill as an Oscar-worthy actress. Her fierceness, her vulnerability, and most of all, her ability to turn her characters into three-dimensional human beings. One day, I'm hoping Ms. Stiles can carry that Oscar home. I am definitely hoping for that outcome.

 One of the strongest aspects of the film is the screenplay penned by Karen McCullah Lutz and Karen Smith. The film clearly draws inspiration from teen movies like Clueless, but it also possesses a distinct personality, featuring sharp dialogue, touching scenes, and compelling, multifaceted characters that enhance the narrative. 

The film's cinematography and direction offer a delightful immersion into the expansive world of San Francisco. As I mentioned, the introductory scenes showcasing the rich, vibrant, and worldly setting contribute to the film's art-pop style. Everything just feels like a beautiful teenage daydream.

As for the movie's soundtrack, you know it's freakin' fire. 

Most of the praise goes to Letters to Cleo, who I cite as one of the most underrated 90s bands of all time. This is also one of Kat's favorite bands. Cool, that means we have good taste in music!

The part where they had an EPIC performance with Save Ferris, performing "Cruel to Be Kind" on Prom Night, was absolutely fantastic. I'm telling you, it was a blast! Overall, it's comfort music for a comfort movie. A laid-back late-90s treat.

The film went on to gain immense popularity, which left a few projects in its wake. 

In 2003, there was another adaptation of The Taming of the Shrew with an all-black cast titled Deliver Us From Eva, starring, you guessed it, Gabrielle Union and LL Cool J. I saw snippets of this film here and there; the reviews were mixed but not too bad, and at least I liked the song Paradise by LL Cool J featuring Amerie from the movie's soundtrack. 

A sitcom based on the film aired in 2009, with Larry David reprising his role as Walter Stratford. This was actually successful on its first run, and I've heard good things about it. Sadly, it was only on for one season, though I might look into it out of curiosity.

By the early 2010s, a sequel, titled 10 Things I Hate About Life, was in the works, starring Evan Rachel Wood and Thomas McDonell. According to the production notes, it starts off like a typical romantic comedy until the main couple plans their suicide. Yeah, it's miles away from the lighthearted film that we got here. From what I know about this sequel, there were many production issues and setbacks that eventually led to the project being canned. What's left of it is a trailer. You can view it here: 10 Things I Hate About Life Trailer.

And finally, there was a musical adaptation that premiered in 2025 and most recently had a 2027 revival released sometime this month. How cool is that!

So what is the legacy of 10 Things I Hate About You? Well, it's pretty legendary if you ask me. This movie will forever remain a treasure of my childhood. It's beautifully written, has an amazing cast that would be Oscar-worthy, and a phenomenal soundtrack that would get stuck in my head. Whenever I watch this film, it reminds me of a special place in time. A time that I'll always miss. This is the quintessential feel-good romantic comedy, and it's a joy to experience its magic again. 

My Last Word: Watch it right now! You won't regret it.