10 Things I Hate About You

Details

In the latest wave of American teen movies comes 10 Things I Hate About You, a modern high school take on Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew.

New arrival Cameron James immediately falls for the effortlessly popular Bianca Stratford. Unfortunately, Bianca's overprotective father has one strict rule: she cannot date until her older sister Kat does. Given Kat's fiercely independent nature and open disdain for most of the male population, this presents something of a problem.

With the help of his quick-witted friend Michael, Cameron devises an elaborate plan to persuade the school's resident bad boy, Patrick Verona - rumoured to have once sold his own liver for a pair of speakers - to take Kat out. What begins as a simple scheme gradually develops into something more complicated as Patrick discovers there is more to Kat than first impressions suggest.

Unlike many teen films of the same era, 10 Things carries a little more substance beneath its glossy surface. The dialogue is sharp, often self-aware, and the film enjoys gently poking fun at the very conventions it embraces. Shakespearean references appear throughout, sometimes subtly, sometimes less so, but they never feel forced. Instead they add an extra layer of wit for those who recognise them.

The adult characters, though used sparingly, are deployed effectively. Larry Miller steals several scenes as the paranoid and well-meaning father, while the guidance counsellor and various teachers provide some of the film's most unexpected laughs. Even supporting students are given distinct personalities, helping the school environment feel more rounded than the typical teen movie backdrop.

Picture & Sound

The transfer is bright and colourful, capturing the sunny high school setting with plenty of vibrancy. There are no obvious signs of artefacting and detail levels are consistently strong. While it may not be a reference disc, it is certainly a solid presentation.

The Dolby Digital soundtrack is serviceable rather than spectacular. Dialogue is clear and well anchored in the centre channel, while the lively soundtrack - featuring prominent tracks from Letters to Cleo - benefits from decent stereo separation. The surround channels see limited use, mainly reserved for musical moments, but this is hardly a film that demands an aggressive audio mix.

Menu & Extras

The disc is light on special features, with no substantial extras to speak of beyond the inclusion of outtakes during the end credits. While this is disappointing, the strength of the soundtrack somewhat compensates, as the music plays an important role in shaping the film's energetic tone. Ultimately, this is a fairly bare-bones release.

Overall

10 Things I Hate About You proves that teen comedies need not be mindless to be entertaining. It combines sharp writing, likeable performances and just enough unpredictability to elevate it above many of its contemporaries. Julia Stiles brings conviction to Kat, while Heath Ledger adds charisma and humour to Patrick without reducing the character to stereotype.

I found the film highly entertaining and ended up watching it more times than I would perhaps care to admit. If you enjoy teen movies, this is one of the better examples of the genre. Even if you do not, there is enough wit and charm here to make it worth a look.

Special features

• None