10 Things I Hate About You

Title 10 Things I Hate About You
Director Gil Junger
Writer Karen McCullah Lutz, Kirsten Smith
Starring Heath Ledger, Julia Stiles, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Larissa Oleynik
ISBN 0788817795
Distributor Buena Vista Home Entertainment
Copyright Date 1999 (DVD)
Interest Age 12+
Rating PG-13
Genre Contemporary Life; Issues: Dating
Plot Summary
10 Things I Hate About You is a modern retelling of Shakespeare's play The Taming of the Shrew about two sisters, Bianca and Katherine, who are extremely different. Bianca is outgoing and fun while Katherine is considered a "shrew" who will never wed. In this version, Bianca wants to date, but her father refuses to let her until Kat, as she's called, dates as well. The problem is that Kat has sworn off boys forever and is more comfortable listening to music, reading and fantasizing about going away for college. When Cameron, who wants to go out with Bianca, learns about her father's rule, he sets out to find someone who can get Kat to start dating again. Enter bad boy with an Australian accent, Patrick. How far will Patrick and Cameron go to win Kat over? Will Bianca even want to go out with Cameron after all is said and done?
Critical Evaluation
This movie, while a little bit silly and formulaic, is still enjoyable even after ten years. (Though teens might find the music and the outfits a bit dated.) This is a quintessential teen movie with heartthrobs, a great soundtrack and all the teen angst you can fit into an hour and a half. The acting by Julia Stiles is particularly good and today's teens will get a kick out of seeing her, Heath Ledger and Joseph Gordon-Levitt ten years younger as they are all still popular actors (though Ledger has since passed away). The message, unfortunately, is ambiguous: are the filmmakers creating a traditional reading of The Taming of the Shrew (that a woman who is without a man can't possibly be complete) or a non-traditional reading (that the right person can help to heal old wounds)? These competing viewpoints could make for a great discussion for teens.
Reader’s Annotation
Bianca's dad won't let her date until her sister Kat does. But no one in their right mind would want to date Kat, right? What's a girl to do?
Curriculum Ties Could be tied into a discussion of The Taming of the Shrew for an English class, particularly in relationship to how modern retellings can be different from the original.
DVDtalking Ideas
1. Do character sketches of Kat and Bianca and end with the challenge of trying to figure out how to get Kat to date.
2. Start with a plot summary of The Taming of the Shrew and then hook the reader with this modern retelling.
Challenge Issues
Issue: underage alcohol and tobacco use
Defense: The message is ultimately that these things are bad and irresponsible - the smoker quits smoking and the drinking only results in throwing up.
Why did I include this DVD?
2009 Fabulous Films for Young Adults (ALA, 2009)