Clueless

Heckering, A. Clueless. Simon Spotlight Entertainment (1995). ISBN 978-0-6715-3631-2

Plot Summary

                Cher is a privileged, preppy girl obsessed with fashion and make overs.  She argues with her teachers for better grades, while doing no extra work to earn them.  She loves shopping and match making.  She has eccentric friends Dionne, Murray, Christian and Tai.  Cher and Dionne meet Tai in the beginning of the film and Cher feels that she is “so adorably clueless.”  They immediately make her over and she becomes as popular as they are.  Cher has an annoying step-brother, Josh, that she can’t stand for the most part.  Not until Tai becomes interested in Josh does Cher realize she has a thing for him.

                  After not knowing what to do with herself since this revelation, Cher and Josh finally get together, Tai ends up with the guy she has liked since the beginning of the movie, and Cher sets up her two teachers who end the movie by getting married.

Critical Evaluation

                Clueless is not just some mind numbing teen movie.  A whole new language was created for this film.  People now still say “Whatever” just without the hand sign.  Cher is endearing even while the viewer can’t believe the things she gets away with.  While the girls seem superficial, their friendship is actually quite deep and they always have each other’s backs.  This movie is iconic to the 90s teen culture.  It is the original Mean Girls – just a little less mean.  Cher takes Tai through the cafeteria and points out each group in turn, something that is now done in many youth oriented high school films.

                Cher does seem to realize she needs to be less self-absorbed and start thinking of other people, but it doesn’t seem as if the change is really all that genuine.  She all of a sudden wants to help with a school drive for people in need, but who knows if she’ll keep helping?  It is a little weird that she gets together with her step-brother.  Sure, there is nothing technically wrong with that, but it sounds weird when you say it out loud.  Even given its minor setbacks, Clueless will remain a shining star in teen films.

Reader’s Annotation

These teens are so totally clueless.

Author’s Information

Amy Heckerling wrote and directed Clueless.  She got a Masters Degree in Film from The American Film Institute and directed such other films as Fast Times at Ridgemont High and Look Who’s Talking.  She has the uncanny ability to be able to work with and really understand teenagers.

Genre

DVD

Book Talking Ideas

Girls who love fashion will certainly love this movie.  Boys who like to look at pretty girls will love this movie.  There are so many slang phrases that are still used today that originated in this movie.  It’s hilarious, quirky, and a must see for any teenager.

Reading Level/Interest

15/15

Challenge Issues

There is some drug use, drinking and swearing in this film.  It is certainly meant for an older audience of teen even though the rating is just PG-13.  There isn’t much to say other than, yes, it’s in there, but the movie as a whole is a fun romp into what the teen years were like in the mid-90s.