Rating: PG
Genre:
Comedy
Theatrical Release: 03/31/1999(USA)
Release Date: 01/05/2010
Flags: Adult Situations, Adult Language, Adult Humor, Youth Substance Use, Suitable for Teens
Distributor/Studio: Walt Disney
As Shakespearean adaptations go, it's not quite as odd as moving
The Tempest to another planet (as in
Forbidden Planet) or
Hamlet to a Canadian brewery (the secret subtext of
Strange Brew), but it's still safe to say no one was expecting a version of
The Taming of the Shrew set in an American high school. But unlike the previously mentioned films,
10 Things I Hate About You at least gives the Bard screen credit for his contribution to the story. In
10 Things I Hate About You, Bianca Stratford (
Larisa Oleynik) is a tenth grader who has never gone on a date, as her parents have a little rule where Bianca isn't allowed to go out with boys until her older sister gets a boyfriend. The problem is, while her older sister Kat (
Julia Stiles) is attractive and intelligent, she's also a mean-spirited misanthrope who rubs nearly everyone the wrong way -- especially boys. But Bianca and the guy she has her eye on, Joey Donner (
Andrew Keegan), are eager to get their romance on the road, so Joey fixes Kat up with Patrick Verona (
Heath Ledger), a new kid in town who may be just bitter and mysterious enough to suit her.
10 Things I Hate About You is the first feature film for director
Gil Junger, who previously worked extensively in television, including episodes of
Dharma and Greg,
Ellen, and
Blossom.
~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
;)
