|
10 Things I Hate About You
showing at ABC, George Street, Sat 14 August -
Thursday 19 August
10 things I didnt hate about this film -
1. It is (loosely) based on Shakespeare, so its, like, culture,
innit?
2. It has metamorphosed one of the most disgustingly misogynistic
works every written into a charming romantic comedy, so you leave
the cinema in an up-beat mood rather than an indignant huff.
3. It is genuinely funny to all ages without being patronising, offensive
or crass.
4. Its not preachy - all the adults are decidedly more bizarre
than the teens.
5. There are some great lines - If you can be overwhelmed and
underwhelmed, can you just be whelmed? I think you can
in Europe.
6. Julia Stiles (as Kat Stratford, the shrew) is very attractive (though
anorexically thin) and does a fine job of showing off her dazzling
wits. Heath Ledgers really not bad as her tamer either, with
his swarthy, tall, dark and intentionally mysterious way thats
oh-so-very appealing.
7. The able supporting cast is filled with familiar faces - Joseph
Third Rock Gordon- Levitt and Larisa Oleynik (last seen
dissolving into a metallic puddle as Alex Mack) - and for once in
a teen comedy, do not have an average age of 26.
8. It compares favourably with Clueless and other such American high-school
based literary rip-offs (sorry, adaptations) in that theres
enough of the original plot to make it interesting, but all the dialogue
is new so the film itself is fresh.
9. It has a great soundtrack.
10. OK, its a bit mawkish, a bit cheesy, a bit overly moralistic,
but its accessible, enjoyable, a quality example of the genre
and, most importantly, great fun.
Adrian Healey
13.8.99
|