10 Things I Hate About You (released in theaters on March 31, 1999) reimagines William Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew within the social hierarchy of Padua High School in Seattle. The plot centers on the Stratford sisters: Bianca (Larisa Oleynik), a popular sophomore who is desperate to date the narcissistic Joey Donner (Andrew Keegan), and Kat (Julia Stiles), a brilliant, abrasive senior who despises the shallow high school scene.
Their overprotective father, played with hilarious paranoia by Larry Miller, creates a strict rule: Bianca can only date when Kat does.
Seeking a loophole, new student Cameron (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) and his nerdy friend Michael (David Krumholtz) hatch a plan to bribe the school’s resident bad boy, Patrick Verona (Heath Ledger), into wooing the “shrewish” Kat.
As Patrick attempts to win Kat over with his mysterious charm and a grand musical gesture on the stadium bleachers, Cameron tries to win Bianca’s heart despite Joey’s interference.
Along the way, the sisters’ social circle is fleshed out by appearances from Gabrielle Union and Susan May Pratt, who navigate the pressures of prom and popularity.
However, the deception becomes complicated when Patrick begins to genuinely fall for the fiercely independent Kat, leading to a vulnerable and iconic climax where the true feelings behind their antagonistic relationship are finally revealed.
10 Things I Hate About You operates as a high-water mark for the 1990s teen rom-com, trading the genre’s typical slapstick for a sharp, feminist-leaning wit and a genuinely poetic heart.
Stiles delivers a breakout performance as a young woman refusing to conform to societal expectations, while Ledger brings a mesmerizing, gravel-voiced charisma to Patrick that instantly solidified his status as a cinematic heartthrob.
The chemistry between the ensemble cast from the earnest longing of Gordon-Levitt to the comedic timing of Krumholtz, creates a world that feels both heightened and emotionally authentic.
Heath Ledger and Julia Stiles in 10 Things I Hate About You (Photo/Touchstone Pictures)
Reception for 10 Things I Hate About You
10 Things I Hate About You grossed $8.3 million on its opening weekend, finishing second at the box office behind The Matrix ($27.8 million).
The film would gross $53.5 million worldwide.
Roger Ebert gave 10 Things I Hate About You two and a half out of four stars in his review.
Legacy
The legacy of this 1999 classic is defined by its enduring status as perhaps the most successful modern adaptation of the Bard’s work for a contemporary audience.
10 Things I Hate About You successfully bridged the gap between classical literature and the MTV generation, launching the major Hollywood careers of Ledger and Stiles in the process.
The film remains a cornerstone of the teen movie genre, frequently cited for its progressive themes, iconic soundtrack, and its ability to treat its adolescent characters with dignity and intelligence.
10 Things I Hate About You serves as a nostalgic touchstone for millennials and has found a second life with younger generations, continuing to influence the landscape of romantic comedies with its perfect blend of rebellious spirit and heartfelt sincerity.
