About 10 Things I Hate About You

A 1999 American romantic comedy film directed by Gil Junger. The film, a modernization of Shakespeare's late-16th-century comedy The Taming of the Shrew, is about a high schooler who can't date until her unpredictable older sister does. The screenplay was written by Karen McCullah Lutz and Kirsten Smith.

Making / Production

The film was produced by Touchstone Pictures and released on March 31, 1999. Filming locations include Stadium High School and Tacoma, Washington, with some scenes shot in Seattle.

Actors

• Heath Ledger as Patrick Verona: He played his role as the "bad boy" with an unexpected soft side with charm and intensity.
• Julia Stiles as Katarina "Kat" Stratford: Stiles's character is an outspoken and independent teenager, she portrayed it brilliantly.
• Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Cameron James: Playing a sweet and lovable newcomer at school, he perfectly captured his character's innocence.
• Larisa Oleynik as Bianca Stratford: As Kat's younger sister, Oleynik played the naïve and popular teenager to perfection.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The scene where Heath Ledger serenades Julia Stiles was filmed in one take.
• The title of the film was inspired by a diary entry the screenwriters saw from an ex-boyfriend.
• Some of the clothing worn by characters in the film was actually purchased from thrift stores in Tacoma, Washington.

Awards

The film received numerous nominations and won the "Breakthrough Female Performance" for Julia Stiles at the 1999 MTV Movie Awards.

Quotes

• "I hate the way you talk to me, and the way you cut your hair. I hate the way you drive my car, I hate it when you stare."
• "But mostly I hate the way I don't hate you - not even close, not even a little bit, not even at all."
• "Don't let anyone ever make you feel like you don't deserve what you want."

Music, Soundtrack

• "Cruel to Be Kind" – Letters to Cleo
• "I Want You to Want Me" – Letters to Cleo
• "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" – Frankie Valli