1. 10 Things I hate About You
Holiday Task: An Analysis of a Teen Film
Fatma Sadiq

2. Summary of the Film:
Bianca stratford is pretty and popular, but her strict family won't allow her to date
until her older sister does: the problem is that sister Kat is an outsider who tries to
alienate any guy who might be interested in her. So Bianca's would-be boyfriend
bribes fellow outsider Patrick to ask out Kat, thinking that this sullen young man with
a mysterious past might tempt Kat to rise to the challenge.
§
At the start of the film a long shot of the location is shown and the camera pans to
establish the setting of the film which is in the city of seattle.
Full Movie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3vbVxhQY1s

3. The conflict:
§ After the director has established the characters and setting, he must introduce a
conflict.The conflict that drives the action in this film is Mr Stratford's mandate
that Bianca is not allowed to date until Kat does.The composition in this scene
shows the reactions of all three family members simultaneously. Mr Stratford is in
the foreground, because he has all the power.This is reinforced by the low angle
shots as he's setting the rules.This scene also shows the contrast between Kat and
Bianca through the use of costume. Bianca wears clothes that make her look
feminine (dresses, florals, pink colours) and innocent (white colours). Kat wears
clothes that make her look like a rebel (dark blue, camo patterns) and disguise
her femininity (khaki trousers).

4. Patrick:
§ Patrick is reinforced as tough and a rebel in the scene in the science class.This is
done thorough dialogue - Michael tells us he spent a year in San Quentin, ate a
live duck, and sold his liver on the black market for a new set of speakers.The
props are also important; Patrick lights a cigarette, stabs the frog with his pocket
knife, and plays with the flame of the Bunsen burner. Even the costume (black
clothes) reinforces his bad-boy image.

5. Kat and Bianca:
§ Kat:“I swore I would never do anything just because everyone else was doing it.”
§ Kat:“I guess I thought I was protecting you.”
§ Bianca:“By not letting me experience anything for myself?”
§ Kat really cares about her younger sister and wants to protect her.We see this in a
low angle shot of Kat watching over Bianca. It is also emphasised in the close up
on her face looking sad and regretful, and the lyrics of the music:“What else can I
do? I said I’m sorry…” Bianca is made to seem young and vulnerable.This is
shown through thehigh angle shot of her sitting on the swing. Her body language
shows she’s sad, and her costume makes her look young and innocent (skirt,
shoes and socks, pink and whitecolours).The long shot also makes her look small
and lonely.The director uses shots through the window of the house in this scene
to symbolise the barrier that has formed between the girls.

6. Bogey's party:
§ The scene starts with a party atmosphere, created through loud music, use of props
(beer keg, party flier) and a tracking shot through the crowd that shows a huge
number of teenagers attending.
§ At the party Bianca changes, as shown through the dialogue. She realises how self-
involved Joey is. He only talks about himself - posing, saying "Now I'll show you
this one..." and "We all know I look amazing." She also realises that Cameron is a
nice guy, and she has treated him badly. He asks "Have you always been this
selfish?" and she replies "Yes."
§ Patrick shows his caring side in this scene - he tells Cameron not to give up on
Bianca, and looks after Kat when she drinks too much and knocks her head. He
refuses to kiss her when he takes her home because he doesn't want to take
advantage of her.

7. The ending:
§ We see how much Kat has changed through her costume, hair and makeup. She
looks more feminine because she has done her hair nicely, is wearing a skirt and
a floral blouse. She no longer feels like she has to "make a statement".The sisters
have become closer, as shown by the use of props (Bianca brings Kat a hot drink)
and dialogue(Bianca tells Kat "It meant a lot to me.") Patrick has changed too - he
shows his feelings, no longer seems like the rebel. He's no longer wearing black
clothes, and admits "I fell for her." The film ends with an establishing shot of the
city, which links to the start.