Anyone over 30 with good taste knows that the height of romance was Heath Ledger singing Frankie Valli in 10 things I hate about you. So fans of the classic teen romantic comedy will be happy to know that the young Ledger, then still an unknown actor in America, wanted to make sure everything in that serenade scene was absolutely perfect.
“I was obsessed with choosing the perfect costume for the serenade scene.” 10 things said co-writer Kirsten “Kiwi” Smith in a recent interview with Jugo Mobile, in honor of the film’s recent 25th anniversary. “It was very important for him to do well.”
For those who don’t remember, Ledger’s character Patrick (a modern version of Petruchio from William Shakespeare’s play) The Taming of the Shrew) was paid by his high school classmates to eliminate the meanest girl in school, also known as “the shrew”, Kat (played by Julia Stiles). She has resisted his advances until now, but Patrick has a special trick up his sleeve.
In the ultimate romantic gesture, Patrick surprises Kat by interrupting her soccer practice with a live performance of Frankie Valli’s “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” accompanied by the high school marching band.
Not even Kat can resist the charms of Ledger defiantly singing Frankie Valli, dancing around the bleachers as campus security tries to drag him away. It’s a scene that went down in the romantic comedy history books and undoubtedly inspired many prom proposals over the years.
In the scene, Ledger wears a white button-down shirt and a navy blue jacket over it. It’s nothing particularly flashy, but, according to Smith, who co-wrote the film with writing partner Karen McCullah, those clothes were carefully selected by an “extremely creative, focused and detailed” Ledger.
“I think he nailed it, because you don’t really think about Patrick’s costumes or clothes,” Smith said. “Just focus on him.”
With a charisma like that, it’s difficult. No to focus on Ledger. The Australian actor had a critically acclaimed Hollywood career in films such as Secret in the mountain and The dark knight, before his tragic death at the age of 28 from an accidental overdose in 2008. But 10 things I hate about you It was his prominent role in the United States.
Smith recalls his first meeting with Ledger after he was sent the script and suggesting he audition for the role of Cameron, which ultimately went to a young Joseph Gordon-Levitt.
“I remember saying, ‘You should read Cameron, he’s a new guy.’ [at school.] And he says, ‘No.’ I’m Petruchio. As, very Seriously,” Smith said, laughing. “He says, ‘I’m not the new guy.’ I’m Petruchio. He had a very clear perspective.”
