10 things we love about 10 Things I Hate About You 

Seventeen staffer Dina Sansing had the awesome task of chatting with Julia Stiles and Joseph Gordon-Levitt about their cool new movie.

Imagine this: You're told that you can't date until your sister -- whose goal in life seems to be alienating any guy who has an interest in her -- also starts dating. Meanwhile, your sister isn't too thrilled about being thrust into the center of your love life. These are problems facing Kat and Bianca Stratford in 10 Things I Hate About You. Julia Stiles (the hostile sister) and Joseph Gordon-Levitt (the guy who wants to date her sister) recently chatted with me about the movie, the cast, and ten things worth loving about this latest tour through high school.

1. It's based on Shakespeare:
Inspired by Taming of the Shrew, this tale once again proves that Bard is the best source for love, family, and conflict.

2. The teens portrayed in the film are -- gasp! -- played by teens:
No twenty-somethings-playing-adolescents here, most of these actors were still in high school when the film was being made.

3. Good friends -- on-screen and off:
As Joseph points out, "In Tacoma, there's not much to do. Every night we went to someone's room and just talked. By the end, it felt like we were old friends."

4. Star romance:
Julia and Joseph may have other love interests in the film, but in real life there's at least ten things they like about each other -- they're dating!

5. Babe alert:
Maybe it's his Australian accent, or possibly his sexy snarl, but newcomer Heath Ledger is definitely cute enough to keep an eye on.

6. Shrinking violet? No way!:
Julia's alter ego, Kat Stratford, is strong and intelligent. "I was sick of female characters whose goal in life is to be a prom queen or somebody's girlfriend. Kat's in your face," says Julia.

7. The underdog:
Kat may be headstrong, but Cameron is the good-guy on the block. "He's the nice guy everyone roots for," says Joseph about his character.

8. Great dates ideas:
Who needs dinner and a movie when you have paintball and paddle-boats.

9. Early bird special:
It opens on Wednesday so no need to wait 'till Friday to enjoy it.

10. The critic's choice:
"It's a really fun, good time. It's not deep, but it's not meant to be. People will find it really amusing," reports Joseph. Okay, so maybe he's a little bias -- but this time, we'll have to agree."

Article by Eliza Bergman Krause
Originally published in Seventeen Movie Week - Posted on March 31, 1999