One of the better Coming of Age High School films of the 90's

I'd put it up there with Clueless (another modern day adapation of Shakespeare) as one of the better High School romantic comedies of the 90's.

You got witty script, a strong cast of young talents and strong character actors playing the adults, well directed and a strong soundtrack filled with late 90's songs and classics.

This is the film that put Heath Ledger on the map in Hollywood, and well deserved too. He's great in it and the scene with him singing "I Can't Take My Eyes off of You" is the standout scene. Makes it even more tragic he passed 9 years aftet this. Joseph Gordon Levitt is also great and you can see why he's still around today and went on to star in some big movies.

Julia Stiles and Larisa Oleynik as the Stratford sisters are both great, especially Stiles who had a bit of a run in early 00's as Hollywood "It" girl but she never really topped this performance sadly. Oleynik probably along with Levitt was probably biggest name at the time for The Secret World of Alex Mack. A bit like Stiles she never really went on to do anything massive either with her career, working mostly in theatre. Which is a shame as she's great in this too.

Fun fact: Oleynik plays the youngest sister of Stiles in the film but in reality Stiles is only three months older then Oleynik. And Gordon Levitt was actually older then both.

Also you get show stealing performances from Allison Janney and Larry Miller as the girls overly strict father. Every member of the supporting cast are great even the English teacher who keeps on kicking out Kat of class is great.

You are reminded of it's 90's roots with the Ska-Pop acts who are trying to be No Doubt and the 90s' fashioned. Also refreshing not to see Mobile Phones all over a film.

One of my favourites.