Clever updating of TAMING THE SHREW with some twists

Rating: 10/10 (1 September 2001)

I am late to have heard about this ensemble comedy but got it at the Video Rental Outlet before seeing Julia Stiles' new film this weekend ("O"). She holds her own in both commendable movies and displays "star power" against the mostly second-tier co-stars. I don't know much about Heath Ledger but he's sort of like Kevin Costner in the PRINCE OF THIEVES Robin Hood-vehicle of a few years ago: his accent needs clarification in such "red,white, and blue" American surroundings. This film sadly lacks the appealing love of a local context (Seattle, Washington) that a drama-comedy like SAY ANYTHING (1989)had for its high school protagonists; yet it does have some authentically funny moments via excellent set-ups and punchlines. Borrow it and enjoy the updated give-and-take of a romantic comedy that doesn't need pre-marital sex to explain all of the longing that teens have always felt about each other. I do have some consternation that the single major African-American female character comes across as two-faced and petty but the film's English teacher succeeds and one-ups the History teacher of FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH (Ray Walston) with a truly funny series of in-class Shakespearean assignments. Well worth your rental fee! Rating 9 *'s out of 10 *'s.