In the rom-com community, being obsessed with “10 Things I Hate About You” is a rite of passage. Similar to many of the other flicks within the genre, this piece of ‘90s nostalgia masters a number of fan-favorite tropes. What makes this film so special is the magic brought to the characters and plot by the cast. Heath Ledger portrays the charming bad boy, Patrick Verona, while Julia Stiles masters the rebellious teenage girl closed off from love. These tried and true character archetypes, when coupled with the ‘pretend courtship trope’ result in genuine chemistry between the protagonists, making for an iconic watch.
One of the most interesting aspects of this film is that it’s a twist on William Shakespeare’s “The Taming Of The Shrew.” True to Shakespeare’s work, the abrasively witty female lead — the stubborn Kat Stratford — becomes tangled in a web of drama and love.
Everyone at school is aware that the Stratford sisters are practically undateable due to their father’s strict rules. Only if the stubborn Kat dates, will her younger sister Bianca be able to. A plan created by Bianca, Cameron (who is secretly in love with Bianca) and Joey (who just wants to sleep with Bianca) leads to a recipe for disaster and somehow, love. Joey’s intent to seal the deal between him and Bianca leads him to bribe Patrick to date Kat. From then on, the story creates itself.
The 1999 rom-com has developed a cult following that only proves how timeless the film really is. Fans of every generation appreciate the beloved cast members and their behind-the-scenes rapport. One of the fan-favorite touches to the film is the late Heath Ledger’s addition to the cast. The Australian actor, who was previously in a number of Australian films, transitioned to Hollywood with his role in “10 Things I Hate About You.” Though this was his American breakout role, it’s safe to say that Ledger performed wonderfully as a rom-com man and nailed the role. Through his character’s delightful humor and witty one-liners, he became the audience’s object of desire — a complicated, brooding bad boy who catches the heart of someone just as misunderstood as he is.
Similar to Patrick’s character, Stiles’ take on Kat Stratford continues to be another contributing factor to the film’s position in the rom-com canon. Scenes of her driving her car to Joan Jett & the Blackhearts’ “Bad Reputation” or delivering lines like “I want you I need you, oh baby, oh baby” with an eye-roll have since been deemed cinematic gold. Much to the viewers’ approval, she inevitably falls for Patrick, and although their courtship is initially based on a lie, their love story turns into something real.
Another quintessential scene in the film that features Stiles’ unique touch to the character is the house party scene where she drunkenly dances on the table to Notorious B.I.G’s “Hypnotize.” She conveniently falls into Patrick’s arms, making for the perfect swoon worthy-moment. In fact, the scene was so special that it actually earned Stiles her next role. Her tabletop dancing earned Stiles her next role in “Save The Last Dance,” proving just how talented she is. Among the many charming scenes shared between Patrick and Kat, the final act is the one that truly captures the film’s essence. The original poem that Kat recites in her class leads to a memorable confession of love punctuated by tears.
Though Stiles and Ledger seem to have brought their own magic to “10 Things I Hate About You” — the cast collectively made the film meaningful. The chemistry between each of the characters whether it be love, hate or friendship was absolutely palpable. Though it was never confirmed, many rumors have led fans to believe that Stiles and Ledger were involved with each other outside of the film. The speculation that arose from the stars’ on-camera chemistry caused fans to wonder if the romance went beyond the characters they played. The time the actors spent on set allowed them to befriend each other with ease, leading to a friendly, intimate environment that differed from the Hollywood on-set horrors of many of its film contemporaries. In the years since the film’s initial release, the actors from this rom-com have spoken about their old cast mates with nothing but praise. It seems that even the celebrities behind the film know just how special it was and continues to be for fans.
If you have not yet indulged in “10 Things I Hate About You,” let this serve as a reminder. Not only is the film wonderfully executed by the cast, but it delivers the perfect rom-com fix. For those who have already watched this movie time and time again, you might just be due for another rewatch.
