Review
10 Things I Hate About You
- Director
- Gil Junger
- Year
- 1999
- Rating
- Reviewed by
- a.k.a. Jacinda
- Review date
- Sunday, July 01, 2001
Although this movie aims at a young audience it is not the typical teen movie you would expect. I was surprised to see the most intelligent teen movie in years. It would be unfair to give this movie a worse rating because of its genre. Of course there are stereotypical elements included (for example the school prom) and the ending is predictable, but let us see the movie for what it is. In my opinion it cannot be compared to dull movies that only serve as mindless vehicles for uninspired stories and uncharismatic actors like Freddie Prinze Jr. 10 Things I Hate About You is so much more: With an extremely talented cast of young actors it succeeds on many levels. Unlike other recent movies there is no need for gross humor in this well-crafted romantic comedy.
The dialogue is witty, the pace fast while the references to Shakespeare add up to the comic appeal of the movie. Adults are portrayed in quite a funny way – for example the Stratford father and the literature teacher, who prefers to rap Shakespeare’s sonnets. The real stand-outs are Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger though. Their performances make the two characters Kat and Patrick more than adorable. Their constant teasing is simply irresistible while the chemistry between them works perfectly. Not to mention the ‘Can’t take my eyes off of you’ scene in the football stadium. I also loved Kat’s stubborn attitude and the way she loved the things she really wanted to hate.
10 Things I Hate About You is a heart-warming and fresh experience. There are definitely more than 10 things I love about this movie. Sweet, endearing and incredibly charming... go see it!
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Comments
Jacinda wrote at 6/22/2002:
I didn't think you'd be so fond of my review. Actually it's been pretty hard to write about the movie. I mean I am completely in love with it but it's still a teen movie and let's say the genre is not too well developed. I liked Cruel Intensions a lot but I think 10 things is even better - far better. That's why I chose the three and a half star rating - and believe me it took me a long time to decide about it. I've read lots of reviews that criticized 10 things for being superficial but if you consider the fact that it is made for young people it is NOT and it is excellent. Talking about Freddie Prince Jr. - he is too 'straight' for my taste. I mean he always is Mr. Cute, Mr. Teddybear, Mr. Flat Character. Well, I simply don't fall for the characters he portrays - they always feel dull - even the one in 'She's all that'. He simply misses a certain charisma.
Morris wrote at 6/22/2002:
Fantastic movie! Couldn't agree more with you, Jacinda! It is a cut above the usual fare of teen movies that we get all the time. Freat dialogue, great scenes, great performances and a really well-done. I love the scene where Julia recites a poem while falling apart.Freddy and Sarah are still together.... and engaged! I don't really like him either. He is always the same, in the same kind of movies and with that same stupid look in his face. I thought he was a promising young new talent when he did "I Know What You Did Last Summer", but instead Ryan Phillipe is the one who's done really interesting stuff.
Anyway, I do think "10 Things" is much better than "Cruel Intentions" as well. Both are good movies, but I'd definitely go for "10 Things" as the best teen romantic comedy of the last years.
Pollescu wrote at 6/22/2002:
I loved this movie too, specially that football scene and scene where Kat reads her poem, and I wanted to post it here, chek it out:I hate the way you talk to me,
And the way you cut your hair.
I hate the way you drive my car.
I hate it when you stare.
I hate your big dumb combat boots,
And the way you read my mind.
I hate you so much it makes me sick --
It even makes me rhyme.
I hate the way you're always right.
I hate it when you lie.
I hate it when you make me laugh -- Even,
worse when you make me cry.
I hate it that you're not around,
And the fact that you didn't call.
But mostly I hate the way
I don't hate you --
Not even close, not even a little bit,
not any at all.
Great isn't it??
Jacinda wrote at 6/22/2002:
Thanks for posting the poem, Pollo!It was definitely a highlight of the movie!! :)
Coffee wrote at 6/22/2002:
I can only emphasize what Grouch' wrote here - great review. Sometimes it's the tough ones that turn out to be best.Great work honey ;-)
Groucho wrote at 6/22/2002:
Oh my God, this movie made me cry.Not every teen movie manages my friends, but this one did. It was the poem scene of course. Tears came out of my eyes so naturally that it made me feel good... I'm in love with this film.
OK, I gotta admit it's really really good, but I'm still a bit confused about it being better than 'Cruel Intentions'. The one thing that probably makes it better is the fact that it has a simple story that couldn't happen in real life, while 'Cruel Intentions''s plot is very unlikely to happen, right?
Anyway, I love it, and it might very well be the smartest teen comedy of the last few years. Just not better than 'Clueless'! We agree on that one, don't we??
And again: Great review!
Morris wrote at 6/22/2002:
Yeah, I don't know about the others, but I do agree on that one! Groucho wrote at 6/22/2002:
Did I say "a simple story that COULDN'T happen in real life"? I'm sorry, I meant "could", of course. Looks like Morris got it anyway.New comments are temporarily disabled
Groucho wrote at 6/22/2002:
Jacinda, Bravo!!!FANTASTIC review. Wow, I loved it. It's as well crafted as you say this movie is. Sounds fantastic. Really encourages anyone who hasn't seen it to run and catch it asap. Congratulations.
My only concern is Freddie Prinze, Jr. Everybody hates him at CS, it seems. Or is he just hated everywhere? Poor guy. I wonder how he'll do in Scooby Doo as Fred.
What really seems unfair is him being loved by Sarah Michelle Gellar... Are they still together?
Which reminds me, by the way, of Cruel Intentions. Jacinda, do you seriously think 10 things... is smarter and better than Cruel Intentions? That would really be a bold statement. We gotta discuss on that one.
See ya around, and Jacinda, keep up the good work!! ;)