Cameron, the shy but intelligent boy has been in love with Bianca ever since he joined Padua High School, and his rival, the vain model Joey Donner also shows affection for her.
Knowing her dads rule, they both set up a plan to find an appropriate date for Kat. This date comes in the form of local bad boy Patrick Verona (Heath Ledger). He smokes, drinks and had apparently been in jail for a year – and is the perfect match for Kat. Patrick is paid by the filthy-rich Joey to take out Kat but accidentally falls in love with her. It is all too late though as Kat finds out the truth and discovers Patrick’s love for her was being paid for daily.
But, we all know romantic comedies have happy endings (well the good ones do anyway) and Patrick is forgiven when he buys Kat the only thing she has ever dreamed of having – a guitar.
This romantic comedy is packed full of witty comments and a sharp, smart dialogue. These may not be the foundation to a fantastic movie, but they are certainly the key ingredient to a successful one.
I have got to say that one of the most exceptional, well structured scenes in the film is when Patrick bellows out ‘I love you baby’ to Kat from the stands of the playing field. It is the feel good moment of the film and is rip roaringly hilarious. Also, the timing of the band playing the tune all the way down to the expression on Kats face proves that the director, Gil Junger, knew exactly what he wanted and how he wanted it to be shot.
The final reason I like the film is the exquisite diversity of Heath Ledgers acting. The producer could not have cast a better person to fill the boots of Patrick Verona. Heath Ledger can be serious but also absolutely hilarious. Heath suits whatever role he is asked to play, whether it be the leather-clad, dark haired Patrick Verona or the handsome, blonde haired Sir William Thatcher from “A Knights Tale”. Also Heath and Julia’s on screen chemistry stands out and both seem to share an undeniable love for each other, but this just proves what fantastic actors they both are.
This refreshing romantic comedy was mainly aimed at a teenage audience, but had the quality and excellence to appeal to on older generation as well. The movies structured plot and entertaining characters make “Ten things I hate about you” attractive to many different age groups, both male and female, and it is a movie which will entertain many in years to come.
