“10 Things I Hate About You” is a romantic comedy film released in 1999, directed by Gil Junger. The movie is a modern adaptation of William Shakespeare’s play “The Taming of the Shrew” and is set in a high school setting.
The story revolves around the Stratford sisters, Kat (Julia Stiles) and Bianca (Larisa Oleynik). Their overprotective father, Walter Stratford (Larry Miller), has a strict rule that Bianca cannot date until her older sister, Kat, does.
Cameron James (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), a new student at the school, becomes smitten with Bianca and hatches a plan to get her to date by finding a boyfriend for Kat. He enlists the help of bad boy Patrick Verona (Heath Ledger) to win over the tough and independent Kat.
As Patrick tries to woo Kat, the two find themselves developing genuine feelings for each other. At the same time, Bianca faces the dilemma of choosing between the boy she likes and her father’s strict rules.
“10 Things I Hate About You” is a delightful and witty coming-of-age film that blends romance, humor, and teenage drama. The film’s screenplay is cleverly written, incorporating modern language and humor while maintaining the essence of Shakespeare’s original play.
The performances of the young cast, particularly Heath Ledger and Julia Stiles, have been widely praised, adding depth and charm to their characters. The film also features memorable supporting roles, including David Krumholtz as Michael, Andrew Keegan as Joey, and Gabrielle Union as Chastity.
The film’s soundtrack, featuring popular songs from the late 1990s, has also become iconic and adds to the film’s nostalgic appeal.
“10 Things I Hate About You” was well-received by critics and became a commercial success. It has since become a beloved touchstone for fans of romantic comedies, appealing to audiences of all ages with its endearing characters, witty dialogue, and heartwarming themes of love, self-discovery, and the complexities of relationships during the high school years.
Fun Facts
- The film “10 Things I Hate About You” was released in 1999 and is a modern adaptation of William Shakespeare’s play “The Taming of the Shrew.”
- Heath Ledger’s breakout role as Patrick Verona in the movie helped launch his career in Hollywood.
- The film’s high school setting, Padua High School, is actually Stadium High School in Tacoma, Washington. It’s a real high school known for its stunning architecture.
- The character of Kat Stratford, played by Julia Stiles, is known for her feminist and independent attitude, which made her an iconic character in teen cinema.
- The soundtrack of the movie features popular songs of the late 90s, including “I Want You to Want Me” by Letters to Cleo and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” by Heath Ledger’s character.
Additional Details
- Movie Studio: Touchstone Pictures
- Year Released: 1999
- Type of Movie: Live Action
- Box Office: $53.5 million
- IMDB Link
Cast
- Julia Stiles: Katarina “Kat” Stratford
- Heath Ledger: Patrick Verona
- Joseph Gordon-Levitt: Cameron James
- Larisa Oleynik: Bianca Stratford
- Larry Miller: Walter Stratford
- Andrew Keegan: Joey Donner
- David Krumholtz: Michael Eckman
- Susan May Pratt: Mandella
- Gabrielle Union: Chastity Church
- Daryl Mitchell: Mr. Morgan
- Allison Janney: Ms. Perky
- David Leisure: Mr. Chapin
- Greg Jackson: “Scurvy”
- Kyle Cease: Bogey Lowenstein
Crew
- Director: Gil Junger
- Publishers: Andrew Lazar
- Writers: Karen mcCullah and Kirsten Smith
