10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU
US, 1999, 97 minutes, Colour.
Heath Ledger, Julia Stiles, Joseph Gordon -Levitt, Larisa Oleynik, David Krumholz, Andrew Keegan, Susan May Pratt, Gabrielle Union, Larry Miller, Alison Janney.
Directed by Gil Junger.
10 Things I Hate About You soon became something of a popular cult classic of the high school genre. It was released in 1999 and reflects a milder approach to raucous comedies which were becoming very popular – this was the year after the first American Pie film.
What made the film particularly interesting was that it derives from Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew (and a few years earlier Clueless was very successful, an adaptation and modernisation of Jane Austen’s Emma).
The setting is Seattle, an impressive high school, an eccentric counsellor, played by Alison Janney at her best, businesslike but writing a rather florid romantic novel of the same time. But, it is the students who hold the attention.
Julia Stiles is very effective as the shrewish high school girl, burnt by a liaison in the past, condemnatory of boys, caught up in her studies, acerbic in her comments in class, tough in sports practices. Her sister loves being popular and is resentful when their father, whose wife had abandoned him, is very strict in his discipline and will only allow the younger sister to go on a date if the older sister goes. What follows is a whole lot of plotting to get her to go out.
Heath Ledger is the high school student, something of a free spirit, who is paid money to flirt with the shrewish girl and take her out. this leads to a number of comic situations, including her getting drunk and making a fool of herself and, later, his doing a grandstand (literally) song version of Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You.
Also in the background is an earnest young student played by Joseph Gordon Levitt who is attracted to the younger sister, takes part, along with his friend played by David Krumholz, in the intrigues to organise the dates.
The film has many amusing moments, has good leads, and is an interesting tribute to Shakespeare’s characters and plots.
1. The popularity of this film over time? In the late 1990s? High school comedy, relationships, romance?
2. The Seattle settings, the fine weather, homes and streets, comfortable suburbs, the high school and the imposing building, classrooms, sports fields, home parties, the prom?
3. The musical score, songs, Patrick singing Can’t Take My Eyes off of You? The music at the prom? The final performance on the building roof?
4. The basis of the film in Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew? Kat as shrew, the surname Stratford, the shrewish behaviour, taming, the family background, the two sisters? The variations on Shakespeare’s plot?
5. The school setting, the teacher and the reading of poems, his being critical of Kat, complaining, ousting her? His reaction to the other students, critical? The final homework, the poem, Kat reading it? The role of the counsellor, the comic scenes with Patrick, Cam, Kat – her writing the novel, her imagination, taking up verbal descriptions and incorporating them – and the final comic scene during the credits? The sports master, Kat and her flashing herself to get Patrick out of detention?
6. Kat, her manner, her father’s tough attitudes, her mother leaving? Tensions with Bianca, yet love for her? Bianca and her popularity? Kat seen in class, on the sports field, tough, spurning men – and her later revelation to Bianca about her sexual encounter with Joey? Her not being subject to others’ opinions? The encounter with Patrick, talking, going out with him for Bianca’s sake, the party, the drinking, the performance, the aftermath? Music, looking at the guitar? The issue of going to college on the East Coast, her father’s reaction? Bianca critical of her? Patrick singing and performing the song at the sports field? Her going to the prom, dancing, Patrick promising there was nothing in it for him, Joey and the revelation, her anger? Her poem in class, Patrick’s gift of the guitar and her response?
7. Bianca, the younger sister, lively, popular, her girlfriend always agreeing with her? The interest in Joey, his wanting to date her? The problem that the father would let Bianca go out only if Kat had a date? Her interest in Cam, the French lessons, his jealousy of Joey, her kissing him in the car, going to the prom with him? Her going to Kats room, complaining, Kat telling her about the past?
8. Patrick, his look, time in Australia, tough, time away from school tending the sick? The encounter with the counsellor? In class, Joey and the proposition about the money, his decision, upping the ante? Talking with Cameron and Michael? Going out, the party, his reaction to Kats and drinking, the performance of the song? Going to the prom, the tuxedo, dancing, Joey unmasking him? The gift of the guitar, listening to her poem?
9. Cam, his arrival, age, with the counsellor, meeting Michael, their friendship, working together? Infatuation with Bianca? Wanting a date? Supporting Patrick and the plan for Joey? Cam learning French, the encounters with Bianca and talking French, her responses? Bianca upset, Cam upset, Bianca kissing him, the relief, his taking her to the prom?
10. Joey, vain, in class, the model, the deal with Patrick, the money, the past with Kat, arriving to take Bianca to the prom? His comeuppance?
11. Michael, gawky, quoting Shakespeare, attracted to the girl, quoting the poetry, providing the dress, happiness and dance at the prom?
12. The father, the mother leaving, his being careful about his daughter, humour, no dates? His being a gynaecologist and his comments about behaviour? Kat wanting to go to Sarah Lawrence? Finally allowing it? Reactions?
13. The film is genial, funny, the range of characters and the final score on the roof?
