just OK

Rating: 5/10 (1 March 2010)

I'm sure somebody has already come up with 10 things to hate about this movie, so I won't bother. Basically this is actually an easy movie to either hate or to love, but my reaction was more tepid amusement. It's a very typical teen comedy based on the plot structure of Shakespeare's "Taming of the Shrew" (like Cole Porter's "Kiss Me Kate", but without good music). Heath Ledger and Joseph Gordon-Levitt are both really fun to watch, but not really matched in quality by Larisa Oleynik or particularly by the underwhelming Julia Stiles. Stiles has the right face and mannerisms but we can't tell that there's actually supposed to be a human being inside. Ledger has most of the really memorable scenes; it brought a big smile to my face to see him crooning Motown hits over the PA system to his beloved.
The movie is just good enough to entertain some kids and prevent adults from tearing their hair out. The soundtrack is one of the most annoying aspects by the way, as there are constant appearances by some blonde rocker who is apparently supposed to be a big deal. I can see why this movie might be great nostalgic fun for those who were in high school when it came out, but it had little to offer me.