Chances are you have seen “Clueless” or, at the very least, heard of it. Released back in 1995, after 30 years, its influence is still seen in pop culture today. With timeless aspects such as Cher's iconic line, “Ugh! As if,” and the characters’ incredible fashion, it is no wonder the movie has received such praise.
The story opens with Cher Horowitz, a high school student, waking up in her mansion in Beverly Hills as she goes to pick up her equally rich best friend Dionne Davenport. While at school, Cher begins her plan to romantically set up her teacher Mr. Hall with Miss Geist in hopes of him bumping up her grade. The success of their love story inspires her to give the new student, Tai, a makeover. However, playing cupid seems to come with more than she expected.
Cher realizes she messed up once Tai’s popularity increases beyond her own, and she begins to act like a completely different person. In the end, Cher decides to stop with the makeovers of others and focus on herself. Cher recognizes that she has been shallow, even though she thought she was helping. This leads her to begin a journey of self-discovery, where she realizes she is in love with her ex-stepbrother Josh.
This film was incredibly entertaining and, in my opinion, ahead of its time. The writer was not afraid to talk about what others would deem sensitive topics. The characters dealt with teenage experiences in a way that felt realistic and did not fall into "traditional" or stereotypical roles.
Cher is clueless, but she is not simple-minded. She goes about school and life experiences with a sense of confidence and self-certainty. She establishes early on in the movie that she has no need for a boyfriend or any other activities that do not benefit her. Throughout the film, we watch Cher being independent, kind-hearted, and intelligent in her own way. She is not the stereotypical “dumb blonde,” but rather someone who takes the time to learn new things and apply them in a way that makes sense for her. I think she is the embodiment of beauty and brains.
Another amazing aspect of this movie is the actors. Alicia Silverstone is a perfect fit for Cher. She takes on the character in a way that feels believable, and it is as if you are watching her play herself.
My favorite character was Travis, played by Breckin Meyer. Meyer did an amazing job, and his performance was incredibly funny. With these actors, interesting lines and funny banter never felt forced.
However, I do find some parts of the movie to be odd. For one, Cher's relationship with her “ex-stepbrother,” a line repeatedly used in the movie, is something I did not see as necessary. It is as if they had to constantly tell the audience that they are no longer siblings, which I find to be very weird. Also, he was a freshman in college, making him around 19 years old, while Cher was 16. Apart from that, the film is very enjoyable. You can look at the deeper meaning of a character or just turn your brain off and watch a funny movie.
“Clueless” is its own being. The movie knew exactly what it wanted to be, and it stuck to that. It is a film filled with humor and is aware of the ridiculous behavior of its characters, but it is unapologetically itself.
This movie has stood the test of time, especially its fashion. You could take any outfit out of this movie and still wear it today. The most recognizable outfit is Cher's iconic yellow and plaid matching set. Three decades later, people are still using her outfit as their Halloween costume. There is constant talk about this film across platforms such as Pinterest and TikTok, where they recreate the hair, makeup, and outfits of “Clueless.”
Currently available on a variety of platforms including YouTube and Amazon Prime, among others, it is no wonder this film is so great after being made with an amazing cast and wardrobe!
