When Cameron (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) moves to a new High School he instantly falls for Bianca (Larisa Oleynik), but thanks to her father’s strict rules she is not allowed to date unless her older, anti-social sister Kat (Julia Stiles) starts dating. So Cameron comes up with the crazy plan to pay the school bad boy Patrick (Heath Ledger) to date Kat so that he can date Bianca. 

Returning to 10 Things I Hate About You twenty-six years on from its release ignited a swirl of nostalgic emotions for me. Released in 1999 when I had just turned eighteen it stars a gaggle of film stars my age enjoying house parties and listening to 90’s alternative music. Heck I would have been the same school year as Stiles, Gordon-Levitt and Oleynik! It features the late great Heath Ledger, who died far too young at the age of twenty-eight. The first time I recall crying over a famous person’s death was when that news broke. And it features actors that I always thought should have been bigger stars, specifically Julia Stiles who aside from her supporting roles in the Bourne franchise never really lived up to her huge talent. All of those admittedly bias inducing thoughts aside I genuinely think this is one of the shining lights of the 1990’s teen comedy genre. 

At a time when Shakespeare adaptations were seemingly everywhere this film is a very loose adaptation of The Taming of the Shrew. But do not panic if you are not a fan of the bard, aside from the idea of Kat being the shrew requiring taming and some occasional references this is just a teenage romantic comedy with some outstanding humour and a star making performance for Heath Ledger and lots of funny supporting characters. 

Ledger of course is the stand out and his karaoke moment where he sings, “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” whilst evading school security is rather special. The fact that his character shows genuine growth and warmth towards Kat as he gets to know her sells the romance perfectly. 

Stiles is equally impressive. Her character’s stubbornness slowly thawing to the idea that those around her can genuinely care for her and she can open herself up to them. 

Then there are the numerous comedy supporting turns. Joseph Gordon-Levitt forms an hilarious comedy double act with David Krumholtz as they try to play Cupid for their own benefit whilst being the nerdy nice guy underdogs every teen comedy needs. Larry Miller who plays the father whose crazy parental rules give us the plot line is hilarious. The most over reactive parent possibly to ever feature in film, it is hilarious the steps he goes to whilst worrying about teen pregnancy! And then there is Allison Janney’s school counsellor who opens the film with a bang. Far more interested in writing a lurid romance novel than dealing with the kids she is charged with it is the sort of kooky memorable character that stays in your mind for a long time after the film has finished. 

Perhaps it is nostalgia speaking but 10 Things I Hate About You is peak 1990’s teenage comedy and still stands up today.