Avoids usual cliches, hits the right notes

Rating: Null/10 (8 May 1999)

Okay, this is like "Taming Of The Shrew" with the cast of "Daria". But unlike "Daria", every character has a brain and flaws that make them overrule it at times. The humor is sharp, sarcastic, and hilarious (the scene where the father explains, "I'm down, I've got the 411," is one of my favorites). It also has a lot of heart as it avoids most cliches and treats the characters realistically. A simple kiss is not what it takes to convince others of true emotions. Admittedly, having the father more concerned about pregnancy than, say, "AIDS," makes it a little tough to swallow, but his concern is genuine, as it Kat's. There's a lot of energy, and it was good to hear Madness playing again, even if it was a song from the early 80's. Unlike most movies with romance as the lynchpin, you believe in these characters, root for things to work, and wonder what will happen next when they don't. Easily worth full price, but see it early. There'll be fewer noisy teenagers in the audience (trust me, I speak from experience).