"My insurance doesn't cover me for PMS..."
10 Things I Hate About You (PG-13) 
Reviewed April 4, 1999 - Check out the 10 Things I Hate About You Website.
Shakespeare strikes again!
In what is a 90's teen update of "The Taming of the Shrew," 10 Things I Hate About You follows the young lives of a handful of teens attending Padua High. There's Kat Stratford (Julia Stiles), the tempestuous older sister of the clan. Then there's Bianca Stratford (Larisa Oleynik), Kat's sweet younger sister. Enter Padua High transfer student Cameron (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), the young boy who falls in love with Bianca at first sight.
In an ideal world, Cameron and Bianca seem to be a perfect match, and one would expect a happy courtship to follow. But alas, things are not so simple with the Stratford girls. Living in the house of a highly overprotective father, young Bianca finds herself restricted by an unusual rule: she (Bianca) cannot date anyone unless her older sister Kat (the shrew) starts dating too. Hmmm...
So, naturally, resourceful Cameron hatches a scheme. Convincing high school jock Joey (Andrew Keegan) to pay mysterious loner Patrick Verona (Heath Ledger) to take Kat out, Cameron connives to find a date for fierce Kat, which would then allow him to date Bianca. Patrick's motivation? Money. Joey's motivation? Bianca. (Yup, Joey likes Bianca too...)
For those of you who are slightly confused at this point, I sincerely apologize. In truth, 10 Things I Hate About You isn't one bit confusing, and the plot intricacies I've just mentioned are quite easily absorbed while viewing this film. Above all else, 10 Things is meant to be a romantic teen comedy, and its general tone is fun, light, and energetic. With some surprisingly solid cast performances (particularly by Julia Stiles) and an occasional shot of witty dialog, 10 Things is a film that manages to fall firmly in the "not too bad" range. It's generally entertaining, at times quite amusing, and never overly annoying. Nope, this isn't exactly Shakespeare, but it is somewhat smarter and savvier than your average teen flick, and is a pleasant enough moviegoing experience for those in the right mood...
Responses from cyberspace--thanks for writing!
amyk_69@hotmail.com
gives this movie stars: "Does
anyone know the name and artist of the song that Julia Stiles table dances
too?" (10/23/01)
anonymous entry gives this movie stars: "It
was a great movie. Very beautiful, acting was fantastic, characters were
gorgeous and talented. I absolutely loved the part where Heath Ledger sang.
I was dying to know the song (the dreadful feeling I got after realising
it wasn't on the OST was wretched!). I know some of you gals wanna know
the name of it, after a little searching, you'll discover that the title
is "Can't Take my Eyes Off You." I believe it was originally
by someone named Frankie Vallie or something....pardon me if I made a mistake.
I downloaded the MP3 and I also have the lyrics. The MP3 (NOT sung by Heath
Ledger, sorry!) is available at http://www.geocities.com/retreatoldies.
You can easily look up the lyrics on the net. Good luck. GREAT MOVIE!!!" (10/21/01)
rogue_keahi@hotmail.com
gives this movie stars: "I
believe that this movie, unlike other teen movies of it genre, reaches
out to audiences of all ages and groups and holds them in. Instead of being
completely shallow and superficial like others, it has deep meanings and
follows several storylines which all have a significant part in the everyday
life of any teenager. It is a wonderful movie which should become a favorite
of generations to come." (6/13/01)
Clay gives this movie stars: "While
I can't disagree that Heath Ledger is quite cute and we all know Julia
Stiles is gorgeous, I can't help but think that many of you are missing
the point. This movie is an excellently crafted example of its genre. Much
like Clueless (Jane Austin's Emma) this movie demonstrates that a good
story is timeless. I think that this treatment of Shakespeare's work would
be more to his liking than the traditional pomp and circumstance full of
archaic language few can understand. Bravo!" (5/31/01)
bluemonday069@hotmail.com
gives this movie stars: "The
thing I hear from a lot of people when I ask them if they have seen this
movie is something to the extent of...it looked stupid on the previews...I
can totally agree, but that just goes to show what you'll miss out on unless
you're willing to take a chance. I love this movie. The comedy is very
witty, the story is beautiful and well done, and the cinematography is
magnificent. Well, I could go on and on about it. Thanks for listening
to me blab." (4/26/01)
phoebe_buffay112@hotmail.com
gives this movie stars: "I
loved this movie!!! Heath Ledger i sooooooo cute! It was the best movie
I've ever seen!!!" (2/4/01)
kornholio666666@hotmail.com
gives this movie stars: "The
movie kicks ass!!!!!!! Julia Stiles is so hot!!!" (1/21/01)
lilli14jc@aol.com
gives this movie stars: "I loved
it!! My favorite part was when Patrick sang to Kat. So sweet!!" (1/12/01)
coolpalace_24@hotmail.com says: "I loved the movie.I ecspecially loved when she did the table dance. Julie Stiles is my favorite actress.She is so pretty." (12/22/00)
foxlady2020@hotmail.com
gives this movie stars: "I
really love this flick...it ROCKS!my brother bought it but i'm always watching
it...he kills me for taking it but i can't resist!" (12/16/00)
anonymous entry gives this movie stars: "A
realy good movie. I especialy like Julia Stiles, she's so hot. YEAH BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A litle bit short though" (12/15/00)
venny_mark@yahoo.com
gives this movie stars: "i
really like the film. heath ledger is so talented and perfect. i like when
he is singing on the field in front of people. he has great voice,i think!
i think the film's story is simply but nice." (9/17/00)
nathy_sweety@yahoo.com
gives this movie stars: "I
just loved it. Julia Stiles is awsome in this movie. Heath ledge proves
why he has been chosen to play gabriel in "The patriot". I think
the script is great, cuz it's not that easy to transform shakespeare into
a great teenager movie. This movie makes yuou laugh and cry. I can't wait
to see it again! And the love story is really cute!" (9/10/00)
leafsrock99@hockeymail.com
gives this movie stars: "I
loved this movie that I saw it more than 8 times. I went out and bought
it and the soundtrack. Tey kick ass! Heath Ledger and julia Stiles have
great chemistry on the movie. Heath Ledger is such a babe, and makes the
movie worth watching. So if you haven't seen it, go see it NOW! The scene
where Pat sang to Kat is the absolute best and so are the parts where Bianca
beat the hell out of Joey, and the paintball scene! Awesome!!! Go see it!!!" (7/13/00)
Lu gives this movie stars: "Is
Heath a babe or what?A great,funny film,so brill!I lurrrrved it!" (6/7/00)
Tiffany gives this movie stars: "I
absolutely loved this movie!!!!!! It added a new spin on William Shakespeare's
Taming of the Shrew which was also very entertaining! I loved how the plot
was still concerned with the original play, but took on a whole new identity
of it's own. It's awesome!!!!!!" (5/21/00)
David Rogers gives this movie stars: "Very
funny movie!" (5/4/00)
cind00407@aol.com
gives this movie stars: "i
loves this movie!! It was full of comedy and romance. It was'nt the sappy
kind of romance but the fun, funny, complicated kind. It was great!" (4/9/00)
nifer@hotmail.com
gives this movie stars: "Awsome
movie!! I SO luved the part when Patrick sang to Kat over the PA system
- anyone know the name of that song? I've been trying to find the lyrics.
Anyways, a truely MUST SEE movie, almost as good as Ever After! =) (Pat
ain't so bad lookin, either!)" (3/31/00)
imitation85@hotmail.com
gives this movie stars: "The
movie ten things I hate about you is a realy good movie as they said on
the website "Shakespere strikes aigain"" (3/30/00)
jawbreaker2929@hotmail.com
gives this movie stars: "This
movie was completely awsome! It definately deserves 5 Stars!" (3/24/00)
gapchickie00@hotmail.com
gives this movie stars: "Heath
Ledger, I love you! You are sooo Sexy! and i love the universial accent!" (2/23/00)
gingerfire@hotmail.com
gives this movie stars:
"wonderful!!perfect!!magic!!a true love story!!very good!!" (11/9/99)
peanutdoozees@hotmail.com
gives this movie 
stars:
"THIS MOVIE IS SO COOL!!!!!!! I LOVED IT SO MUCH." (7/16/99)
David gives this movie stars: "Unlike
some other teen films, this movie had great dialogue, well rounded characters
and an interesting plot. All the actors did a good job and it was very
funny and enjoyable ! Fantastic !" (7/16/99)
lozzachick@hotmail.com
gives this movie stars: "This
movie rulz! It's so funny and Heath Ledger is such a babe!" (6/23/99)
almaxaquotal@hotmail.com
gives this movie stars:
"OH MY GOD !!! Heath Ledger - what a babe !!! Plus he's Australian
- like us !!! Plus the movie kicked ass !!! It was funny !!! Best bits
- when Heath sings, the paintball scene, any scene where Heath smiled.
LOVED IT !!! Almaxaquotal wants to have Heath's baby !" (6/22/99)
boons@pcg.com.nz
gives this movie stars: "I
have seen it 3 times and I love it . Heath is one hell of a babe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" (6/21/99)
Mr_Neaves@hotmail.com
gives this movie stars: "It
was a good movie but lacked substance it would fall under the popcorn video
genre. What the hell were those No Doubt wannabes?" (6/21/99)
tdant@hotmail.com
gives this movie stars: "This
movie was soooooo good!! can we make a second one? haha it was funny, and
had a good storry..deffinatly 5 stars :) and..heath ledger is a total Babe!!" (6/21/99)
hyper056@hotmail.com
gives this movie stars: "I
thought this movie was excellent.It is one of the best movies and I would
definitly see it again.I totally fell in love with Heath Ledger.I loved
the part where Heath sang to Julia." (6/20/99)
ClaireBear_13@hotmail.com
gives this movie stars: "I
loved this movie. Especially Heath Ledger he is such a "Sexy Mother
Trucker." I really loved the serenade he did to Kat it was so sweet." (6/16/99)
Brrridget@hotmail.com
gives this movie stars: "I
was expecting to like it- but I loved it so damned much. Within the first
5 minutes, I had declared it my favorite movie. Heath Ledger was fantastic." (6/16/99)
bpbart@ihug.co.nz
gives this movie stars: "i
give this a two thumbs up!!!!! it is a very cool movie, and i hope that
if you haven't seen it yet, you'll jump into your car and go see it!!!!!!!!!!!" (6/16/99)
Blink_babe@hotmail.com
gives this movie stars: "It
was a pretty cool movie with lotsa hot guys!!!!!!!!!!!!" (6/15/99)
Emily gives this movie stars: "Its
a bit corney, a bit clueless, a bit baby sitters club with porches. But
I loved it! Patrick is the sexiest character I have ever seen in any movie.
Thumbs up I'd spend my bucks any day to see that hot b******" (6/15/99)
anonymous entry gives this movie stars: "JULIA
I LOVE YOU !!! You're my dreamgirl, NO kidding!" (6/14/99)
crivelli@labyrinth.net.au
gives this movie stars: "I
thought this movie was fantastic, i love it because i could relate to the
age. It had a great youg cast." (6/14/99)
juliet_cec@hotmail.com
gives this movie stars: "This
was an excellent movie it was like all teenage movies (clueless, empire
records, can't hardly wait, she's all that etc.) but it was actually really
funny! The dad was hilarious , the teens could actually act and I loved
it!" (6/13/99)
kazza9@hotmail.com
gives this movie stars: "I
thought the movie was brilliant. Heath Ledger, Julia Stiles, Joseph Gordon-Levitt
and Larisa Oleynik where wonderful and they played there characters to
prefection. I believe they all did a wonderful job and they all have bright
futures. I hope to see them in more movies to come. I would just like to
congratulate them all for there efforts and for a job well done." (6/13/99)
strings114@hotmail.com
and stekko@chickmail.com give this movie stars: "We
thought this movie was a totally cool remake of William Shakespear (however
ya spel it). We would definately go see it again, the acting was really
good and we liked the fact that there was an Aussie in it!!!" (6/13/99)
louise_84@hotmail.com
gives this movie stars: "Well,
I think this movie was pretty cool! Definately entertaining...I think they
needed some more SPUNKIER guys...but I suppose the cast suited their parts
pretty well! I would have given this movie 5 stars but I noticed EVERYBODY
else had so I figured someone had to give it something a little more unique....LIKE
4 STARS!! so I did...well, HAVE FUN EVERYBODY AND SMILE!! =) BYE BYE APPLE
PIE!!!" (6/12/99)
dr_goalie@yahoo.com
gives this movie stars: "funny
and utterly witty is the best way to describe the movie. it borders on
cynicism and sarcasm. great!" (6/11/99)
Fritze gives this movie stars. (6/11/99)
jen gives this movie stars: "This
movie is so good . I saw it 4 times in theater . The actors are so cute
. I really want to see it again." (6/8/99)
snaz@thespark.com
gives this movie stars: "I
think this movie is TERRIFIC, a excellent Shakesperean movie which does
not even seem like a Shakesperean movie. It is a great comdey which is
very realistic except for the lush grounds of the castle-like school. It
shows how a father deals with his teenagers daughters decisions and it
very funny. I enjoyed this movie a great deal and would recomend it to
anyone!!!!" (6/6/99)
Becs gives this movie stars: "Total
crack-up! And full of honeys, I'm 16 and I still luved it!" (6/6/99)
eclaire99@hotmail.com
gives this movie stars: "This
is my favorite movie ever! Heath Ledger is so fine! The best part of the
whole movie is the paintball fight...A definite two thumbs up!" (6/5/99)
daisies98@hotmail.com
gives this movie stars: "This
movie ROCKS!!!!!! It's funny, it's hip, and it's cute!!!!!! The guys are
babes and the soundtrack pumps. Definitely a favourite. I wanna see it
again and again and again and again and again........." (6/1/99)
baby_finn@yahoo.com
gives this movie stars: "I'm
an Australian and I am extremly proud of Heath Ledger in this movie!! What
a sweet heart!! Hey girls isnt he just the best!! I just wish guys like
him actually did exsist!! Too bad they're all like Joey!!" (6/1/99)
01stewam@mbc.qld.edu.au
gives this movie stars: "The
best movie I've seen all year!" (5/31/99)
anonymous entry gives this movie stars: "this
movie was so great! i've seen it twice in the theaters and i'll probably
go again. Julie Stiles is great and Heath Ledger isn't too bad either:)
it is definitely a must see!" (5/31/99)
zephon@eisa.net.au
gives this movie stars: "Just
saw the one of the first screenings here in Australia and loved it, so
did the people I was with! Just gives you that "wish my life was like
that" feeling. Happy, funny can't wait to see it again!" (5/31/99)
h_smith85@hotmail.com
gives this movie stars: "i
loved the movie i saw it 5 times. i really liked the names bianca and kat
and i loved their characters -hilary" (5/28/99)
megunn@aol.com gives
this movie stars: "This
movie was totally awesome! I can't wait to buy it! Julia Stiles is such
a great actress!! Thanx!" (5/24/99)
QTiPie23@hotmail.com
gives this movie stars: "I
LOVED this movie! It was great! I stayed interested even though it got
kinda predictable! I can't wait til I can buy it! I wanna see it again!
I went home thinking about it with a happy-go-lucky feeling too." (5/23/99)
Beth gives this movie stars: "I
thought that this was an awesome date movie! It's not just a chick flick
I think guys would enjoy it too! I really loved it when Patrick sang to
Kat, I thought that was so sweet! I also liked when Bianca kicked the shit
out of Andrew Keegan. The way the Director (or writer) interpreted the
Shakespeare into the script, especially how Kat and Cameron's friend fell
in love! P.S. ILSB" (5/23/99)
Rosebud516@aol.com
gives this movie stars: "This
movie is the best flick if you're on a date [I'm 15...I thought it was
great & so did my date! he he] All teens should see this!" (5/23/99)
ColleenCJ00@yahoo.com
gives this movie stars: "This
movie is sweet, funny, romantic, and not just a chick flick. Can't wait
to see it again." (5/20/99)
b.tara@eudoramail.com
gives this movie stars: "i
loved the part where heath sang to julia.. is that song on the soundtrack?
good movie!!" (5/20/99)
abennett16@yahoo.com
gives this movie stars: "I
love it I can't wait to buy it" (5/18/99)
Cutiepunum@aol.com
gives this movie stars: "I
thought it was a great, light-hearted film that I'd love to see again and
again!" (5/14/99)
MrsStephanie86@yahoo.com
gives this movie stars: "It
is a great movie.It is a great romance and comedy movie put together." (4/24/99)
nashnash@gte.net
gives this movie stars: "This
is an excellent Shakesperean remake! The cast was moving, the plot was
solid, the story was sweet. It had a little bit for the cynic, the helpless
romantic, the scrub, and everyone just spectating! The direction was clever
to add hints of the original Shakespeare classic (Verona, Padua, the real
names of the daughters, Stratford, etc.) If you didn't see it yet, stay
during the credits to catch the outtakes! BTW: It has a rockin' soundtrack...
if you're into rock music, like me..." (4/4/99)
