Review of Clueless (1995) by Ryan H — 11 Mar 2012

Although some of the references are dated, Clueless still holds up to be a high school film that is smarter than many that came before. Cher isn't the girl that I expected before I saw the film. I thought she would just be some preppy ditz who doesn't know anything at all.

But she turns out to be someone that is a little too smart for her own good. What Clueless does really well is have a main character and stick with her more than anyone else. The other characters are around mainly to show how she interacts with the world.

But at the same time they are full of heart. Travis might seem minor, but I rooted for the guy all the way. I got a full out hatred for Amber and was pissed when I saw Elton with her. Even though they have little screen time, Amy Heckerling creates a connection.

It's very well done. I'm sure it has been mentioned a ton, but I will say it here as well, Mean Girls took a lot from Clueless. It's basically a mixture between Clueless and Heathers. Anywho, I really liked the progression of Cher's character.

At first she's a popular girl who knows how to get anything she wants. Her father taught her that she should never accept the first answer unless it's what she wants. The way she goes about it might not be beneficial to her overall well being, but it definitely helps her.

I really liked her making the two teachers fall in love. It shows she knows how to get what she wants, but also does it in a roundabout way instead of actually trying hard, but she still does it in a way that doesn't hurt anybody.

Every action and every word spoken really fits her character. I feel like Legally Blonde tried it later and didn't do as well. Perhaps because what Heckerling did here was throw in genuine heart, which is what her earlier film Fast Times at Ridgemont High was lacking.

Cher's character goes from being this confident girl that can get anything to being clueless and realizing she might not have the answers. This happens around the time she tries to get Christian to take her virginity, even though he's gay (which she finds out later).

As the second act progresses, she begins to realizes how wrong she was about so many things. Perhaps it's all about just what makes you happy and how you can help another person? Everyone fit their roles and the time just seems to fly by.

Clueless is a very fun and smart film.