This post is part of my movie-a-day challenge in which I will watch a film every day for 365 days. Today is Day 294! You can see all the posts for this challenge HERE. To see the original Movie-a-Day Challenge post, click HERE.
Hey there, friends!
So I finally decided to kick it back to the oh-so-vibrant era of the late ’90s, and popped in the iconic teen rom-com “10 Things I Hate About You.” Yup, first time watching. I know, I know. Where have I been, right? But honestly, after basking in its nostalgic glow, I’m convinced that my teenage years were seriously missing Heath Ledger serenading me with a marching band.
For those of you who like me, just missed the bus on this one—“10 Things I Hate About You” is a modern retelling of Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew.” Except, you know, with more flannel. It’s set in an American high school where the plot revolves around the Stratford sisters, Bianca and Kat, played by Larisa Oleynik and Julia Stiles respectively.
The twist? Bianca is the popular one, but their dad has a rule: Bianca can’t date until Kat does. Problem is, Kat is a bit of a… let’s say, independent spirit. So, naturally, the high school’s mini-society catapults into a matchmaking frenzy.
Enter Patrick Verona, a mysterious new student who’s paid to take Kat out. Things get complicated, feelings develop, and hilarity ensues. You can probably guess where it’s going, but the journey is half the fun.
Let’s start with the cast, because wowza, it’s like a time capsule of pure ’90s brilliance. Julia Stiles brings that delightful sarcastic edge to Kat, our feminist-before-it-was-cool heroine. She’s that character who you imagine smells like artisanal coffee and books, you know? She’s strong, witty, and not afraid to speak her mind.
Then you get Heath Ledger as Patrick—the “bad boy” with a heart of gold. I have to admit, watching him swan dive into his charming, cheeky role felt like the cinematic equivalent of chowing down on comfort food. The whole thing is a treat with a side of iconic grins.
There’s Joseph Gordon-Levitt too (one of my favorite actors), sweet as ever in his role as Cameron, the starry-eyed lover-boy determined to win Bianca’s heart. Joseph’s character gives the movie that slightly awkward classic puppy-love charm. Then you have Bianca, played by Larisa Oleynik, who is pretty much the quintessential ’90s “it-girl.” Her outfits alone are enabling my deep dive into fashion-black-hole Pinterest boards.
The plot is predictable, sure, but in the kind of way that’s like having your grandma bake you cookies—which is to say, an absolute delight. The beauty lies in the humor and absurdity of teenage antics. It’s like harking back to an era when finding love was within the confined chaos of high school hallways rather than dating apps. Oh, and can we chat about the “10 Things” poem moment? Julia Stiles delivers it with raw, genuine emotion, and I’d be lying if I said it didn’t get a teense bit dusty in the room at that point.
One thing I really loved about this movie is how it captures the high school experience. The cliques, the crushes, the awkwardness of trying to fit in – it’s all there. But it also has a lot of heart. It’s about finding yourself, standing up for what you believe in, and not being afraid to be different.
The film was cheeky, heartfelt, and genuinely made me wonder why it took so long for me to see it. But hey, late to the party maybe, though definitely grateful for arriving at all!
So yeah, if you’re looking for a feel-good movie with a great cast and a killer soundtrack, “10 Things I Hate About You” might be your jam. And hey, you might even learn a thing or two about love, friendship, and not taking yourself too seriously.
Until tomorrow!
Roger
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