There are a few things to like about "10 Things I Hate About You"

Rating: 7/10 (20 May 2009)

If one thing is true about plot, you can rarely go wrong with Shakespeare. "10 Things I Hate About You," based on the bard's comedy "The Taming of the Shrew" isn't exactly more than an homage to the theatrical classic, but it's a teen comedy from the '90s that sticks out because of its fresh quirkiness and good heart.
When Cameron (Gordon-Levitt, "3rd Rock from the Sun") arrives at Padua High School, he's easily smitten by Bianca (Oleynik, "The Secret World of Alex Mack"), but word is that her strict father won't let her date anyone, especially if her older sister Kat (Styles) doesn't. So Cameron and his friend Michael (Krumholtz) conspire to trick self-centered jock Joey (Keegan), who also has the hots for Bianca, to pay off local bad boy Patrick (Ledger) to take out Kat so that Bianca will be available.
"10 Things" assembles an impressive cast of young talent. Ledger and Stiles are the highlights. Despite the fact that the script calls for their relationship to make no actual sense, they manage to sell you by just acting together on screen. In honesty, what the script lacks in practicality, it makes up for in charm, a charm it couldn't pull off without Stiles and Ledger.
For another thing, the movie is not filmed like a typical teen comedy. In this way it's both better and not as good. It feels more like a TV show, not a surprise because director Gil Junger has made a career directing TV sitcoms. Junger likes to choose strategic camera angles, especially in more comedic scenes, emphasizing the film's sense of humor. There is a whole comedy element based on the characters not minding their surroundings or making clever remarks. Junger keeps the camera where he thinks these jokes will be most amusing.
The script he works with is very teen drama and definitely accurate in a sad sort of way though definitely exaggerated at times. Kirsten Smith and Karen McCullah Lutz definitely come across as rookie writers with some really good ideas. Between some of Junger's work and the talented young cast, there's a lot to smooth over the bumps in "10 Things" to make for a satisfying and not too over-the-top romantic teen comedy. It doesn't avoid clichés, but it works with them better.
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