In 1999, Gil Junger released the romcom 10 Things I Hate About You which follows the sisters Kat Stratford and Bianca Stratford as they fight to find peace in their life while their opposing personalities create challenges.
Bianca, played by Larisa Oleynik is a cheerful and bubbly girly girl who wants nothing more than to engage in the stereotypical high school dream of boys, parties, and popularity but is challenged by her strict father’s rules whose biggest fear is teen pregnancy. In contrast, Kat, played by Julia Stiles, is a sarcastic loner and a hardcore feminist who just wants to be left alone and cause chaos in the world. As Bianca gains more popularity she longs for a boyfriend, however with the nature of her sister, her father introduces a new rule that Bianca can date, and Kat does as well. Meanwhile, Cameron James, a kind selfless boy played by Joseph Gorden Levett, is new to the school and develops a crush on Bianca but is challenged by Joey Donner, portrayed by Andrew Keegan, who is the school’s player, and also wants to get with Bianca but is set back with the fathers rule. To combat it, Joey pays the bad boy Patrick Verona, played by Heath Ledger, to become Kats’s new boyfriend.
The movie is filled with outstanding acting that allows the audience to experience a whirlwind of emotions, especially between the two relations and stories. One moment you are subjected to a heartfelt moment that changes your original perception of the character, and then you are left stressed about whether they will be able to overlook each other’s flaws to end up with each other. Throughout the movie each character’s personality is put to the test whilst with one another, making for a character you originally disliked to become the one you love.
Although the plot is extremely cliche, the acting and the uniqueness sets the movie apart from your average rom-com. Heath Ledger is most commonly known for his performance in The Dark Knight(2008). He has been regarded as the best Joker throughout the Batman movies because he brings his characters to life and differentiates them from many others. Although 10 Things I Hate About You was released before The Dark Knight, Patrick and his way of charming people through mischief heavily showed this sense of reality and distinctiveness. Julia Stiles also did an outstanding job in the movie and most clearly showed the shift in her character by making Kat more and more vulnerable as the movie continues. She somehow managed to implement such a level of emotion and personality in the movie that developed a new understanding of Kat and the original image of her.
However, with characters that are so multidimensional, it feels as if they are limited by the common nature of the plot, as it is almost identical to any basic rom-com. I found it disappointing because of all of the potential the movie has, causing you to wish for something that encapsulates the talent of the complex characters rather than restricts them. Especially the ending, with them going to prom and Kat confronting Patrick about being paid to take her out, it seems so unoriginal and bland as it ends up feeling rushed compared to some of the other scenes in the movie that recognized the actor’s charm and created unique emotional scenes that defined the movie as a whole.
