Review of 10 Things I Hate About You (1999) by Dr. F P — 19 Aug 2013

10 Things I Hate About You is the rare movie that successfully modernizes Shakespeare, and despite feeling a little predictable it's still an above-average romantic comedy. Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays Cameron, a new student at Padua high school who falls for sophomore Bianca Stratford (Larisa Oleynik).

However, Bianca's father won't let her date anybody until her beautiful but bitter older sister Kat (Julia Stiles) has a boyfriend as well. Cameron decides to pay the equally cold Patrick (Heath Ledger) to ask Kat out so that Cameron can in turn date Bianca.

The story is based off of Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew, but with completely modernized dialogue. The lack of Shakespearean dialogue is a welcome touch, as it makes the movie far more comprehensible and charming than other modernized Shakespeare adaptations (coughROMEO+JULIETcough).

Heath Ledger and Julia Stiles are both fantastic in the roles that elevated them to stardom, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt is good as well despite being overshadowed a little by Ledger and Stiles. It can be a little predictable at times, but 10 Things I Hate About You has enough poignant moments, humor, and great acting to make it a memorable and very enjoyable romantic comedy.