Image Credit: 10 Things I Hate About You, 1999.
Picture this: young (but not so young that it’s creepy) Heath Ledger in a bulky jumpsuit that somehow manages to show off his broad shoulders and narrow waist. Long hair pulled back into a rakish ponytail. Beside him, on a bed of hay, lies Julia Stiles, covered in paint. He cups her face with his strong hands, smearing the colors, preparing her for his kiss. Let’s just say, this scene in 10 Things I Hate About You (Disc/Download) DID THINGS to a teenage Liz Locke. Heck, it does things to Adult Liz too. I need a cocktail to cool off.
Adapted from Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew, this delightful rom-com is a fun mix of cheesy acting and sparkling dialogue. In his American film debut, Heath Ledger plays the bad boy with a heart of gold. His Patrick Verona smolders with a cocky can’t-give-a-fuck attitude until he meets the girl who matches him eyeroll for eyeroll. Although initially paid to take out the prickly Kat Stratford (Julia Stiles), he makes the mistake of falling for her in the process. We all know how this is going to end (the joy, the heartbreak, the reconciliation), but watching it unfold is so darn fun. There are other charming actors and subplots in this, but let’s be clear—I’m here for Heath, his accent, and his incredible smile (and, okay, his tight black tanktops).
Opposites attract is one of my favorite tropes, especially when there’s some great banter involved. What I love about Patrick is that he can dish it out just as well as the feisty Kat, thus creating oodles of tension. These two either have to kill each other or kiss. While watching 10 Things I Hate About You, I recommend drinking a “Prickly Pair” Margarita.
“Prickly Pair” Margarita
1.5 oz Blanco Tequila
1/2 oz Cointreau
1 oz Lime Juice
1 barspoon Prickly Pear Preserves
1/2 oz Simple Syrup
Orange Twist (garnish)
Add ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until chilled. Strain into a glass filled with ice. Garnish with an orange twist.
Although Heath is delicious and wonderful, let’s not forget about Allison Janney as the guidance counselor who writes romance novels on the side. Add to that epic proms, a seaside vista, and Letters to Cleo performing on the roof, and this is basically the greatest high school in the world. Why would anyone ever want to graduate? Cheers!
Cinema Sips 