10 Things I Hate About You
(written by Angelina)
published 11.17.20
Gil Junger’s directorial debut 10 Things I Hate About You premiered in 1999, a turn-of-the-century depiction of the feministic dichotomy that is the Stratford sisters. The film opens with Katarina Stratford, “Kat” for short, championing her red 1963 Dodge Dart and so fittingly listening to “Bad Reputation” by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts. Played by Julia Stiles, Kat’s signature essence relies on unapologetic truth, teen angst, and above all else dismantling the masculine hold on society or in her words: “the oppressive patriarchal values that dictate our education.”
Moments after we meet Kat, Bianca Stratford, who is (contrastingly) obsequious to the standards held to women at the time, takes the screen. Boys at school fawn over her just as she fawns over Prada bags and sundresses-- a combination which catapults her to the top of the high school social spectrum. Though the pair live in disparate worlds outside their upper-class Seattle home, they become entangled in a scheme which proves to be just as tempestuous as the world claims they are.
Mr. Stratford, ever the instigator, presents an ultimatum to his daughters in that socialite Bianca is forbidden from dating, partying, and all things of the sort unless her unlikely sister Kat does the same. This revelation strikes a plan between transfer student Cameron, played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and his trusty tour guide Michael, played by David Krumholtz. They commission the help of Ken doll heartthrob Joey and long-haired bad boy Patrick (Andrew Keegan and Heath Ledger, respectively) in an attempt to worm their way into Bianca’s heart.
Initially, Patrick begrudgingly agrees to take social pariah Kat out-- but only under financial compensation from an otherwise motivated Joey. However, as the movie progresses, both find themselves doing things they’d never expect. Kat dances drunk on a tabletop at Bogey Lowenstein’s party, Patrick shouts Muse’s “Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You” with the help of the marching band, and they let their guards down in falling for each other.
Bianca, in clouded pursuit of Joey, realizes her fondness for Cameron, and the duo’s French tutoring sessions turn into more. Finally smitten and in agreeance, one joins the other at the prom where dancing and live music leads to a cataclysmic turn of events. Punches are thrown, blood is shed, and words are shouted, all in the spirit of Bianca realizing she is worth more as a woman than how she was being treated.
Whether from the getgo or through withering subjugation, the Stratford sisters epitomize feminine strength. Watch this rom-com alone, with your family, or with your best friend and you are guaranteed to feel both satisfied and empowered by the time Letters to Cleo plays “I Want You to Want Me” into the end credits.
