wolf

Directed by Gil Junger (1999) Touchstone Pictures

The movie is a modern remake of Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew (1591). A basic synopsis is that Bianca Stratford (beautiful and popular) isn't allowed to date until her older sister Katarina does. However, Kat is the "shrew", and her sarcasm and resolve to alienate every male who seems interested means that Bianca's chances aren't good. Bianca has two ardent admirers, Cameron and Joey, and Cameron, along with good pal Michael set up Joey to bribe someone to take Kat on a date. The "someone" turns out to be Patrick, Padua High's mysterious bad boy ("he once ate a whole chicken", "everything but the beak and feet"). Kat's thorny rejections soften as Patrick learns how to get under her guard (courtesy of some research conducted by Bianca and Cameron), although there are a few rocky moments. Bianca eventually realises that she's not interested in the self-centred Joey but does care for Cameron, so Joey is the only person who doesn't realise he's being played for a fool. It all comes to a head at the Prom, when Joey is furious and confronts Patrick over the fact that he's paid Patrick $300 to take Kat to the Prom and Bianca turned up with Cameron instead of himself. Kat is devastated and leaves, but there is a happy ending with Bianca and Cameron in happy coupledom and Patrick and Kat sorting it out.