While I'm biased because this happens to be one of my favorite movies, no one can deny the on-screen magic between Heath Ledger (Patrick Verona) and Julia Stiles (Kat Stratford.) This perfect pairing is supported by other great casting moves such as Joseph Gordon Levitt as the love-struck Cameron who's obsessed with Kat's little sister Bianca; David Krumholtz as Cameron's geeky friend Michael who helps him get Bianca; Larry Miller as Kat and Bianca's overprotective father; Allison Janney as the high school's quirky guidance counselor who writes romance novels. The chemistry of the cast shines through in this 90's modernization of Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew.
Kat Stratford is a highly intelligent, antisocial, angry girl-rock loving proponent of classic literature.. which to me sounds like a perfect "90's modernization" of a Shakespearean comedy. The film opens with "One Week" by Barenaked Ladies and later fades into Joan Jett's "Bad Reputation," as Kat pulls up next to a group of girls, seemingly frightening them out of dancing any more. Later, after Kat gets home from school, "Calypso" by Spiderbait plays as we get a nice little flyover view of their neighborhood.. but when it pans to the Stratford's house, the sweet song picks up and turns more punk rock as we see Kat. While all of the music choices that follow are perfect choices as well, the most memorable and iconic song from this film has to be "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You," by Bob Crewe and Bob Gaudio. Verona, having pissed Kat off the night before, tries to win her back very publicly at their schools stadium by singing the song to her over the P.A., interrupting Kat's soccer practice. Its a wonderful extension of a very John Hughes-feeling grand display of affection, and will forever have the power to make you fall in love.. or back in love with the amazing Heath Ledger.
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