"Sugar and Spice and all things nice". That's what 10 Things I Hate about You portrays a "normal" teenage girl named Bianca to be. Her sister Cat however, an independent, strong minded girl is depicted as a "beast" whom no one likes. 10 Things I Hate about You sends out a message that the only likeable girl is ditzy and stupid, while a girl with a brain and an opinion is detested.
10 Things is a renaissance of Shakespeares" famous play, "The Taming of the Shrew". This movie would, however, have The Bard turning in his grave. It is about two sisters, Bianca and Cat Stratford (Larisa Oleynik and Julia Stiles) who are not allowed to date under the strict ruling of their father (Larry Miller). Cameron James (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is the new kid at school, who immediately falls in love with the pretty and popular Bianca. Joey Donner (Andrew Keegan) also loves Bianca, only his love is not as pure. .
After much pleading from Bianca, Mr Stratford decides to change his rule, Bianca can date, when Cat does. When Cameron finds out about the new rule, he sets out on a mission to find a guy who has enough courage to date the "shrew". Tough guy Patrick Verona (Aussie actor Heath Ledger) is the only one bold enough.
Filmmakers" have drained Shakespeare of his poetry and language and have reduced this classic to yet another boring movie about dull, no-brained teenagers. It's tagline, "How do I loathe thee?", could easily be used to describe the movie. "Let me count the ways-.
1. The "shrew" is not a "shrew"! Cat is nowhere near as terrifying as Kate was in Shakespeares" writing. She is more like an ordinary teenage girl.
2. The fact that Cat could not possibly be a shrew unless she played soccer. This was totally unnecessary, but I guess screenwriters think it has to be there. No normal girl would play soccer, only a "shrew"!.
3. Patrick wasn't anything like the arrogant rogue Petruchio was. Petruchio treated Kate like dirt, dragging her to his home and slopping around.
