While the central romance is the engine of the film, the comedy is fueled by a supporting cast that is arguably the strongest in the genre’s history.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays Cameron James, the new kid who falls for Bianca. In a twist on the source material, the "Lucentio" character is the one pining, while his sidekick, Michael (David Krumholtz), handles the schemes. The duo’s chemistry, alongside Bianca’s reluctant suitor Joey Donner (Andrew Keegan), provides the slapstick backbone of the film.

To match Kat’s fire, the film needed a lead who could burn just as bright without extinguishing her light. Enter Heath Ledger as Patrick Verona.

The film’s enduring power comes from its perfectly cast leads.