But she was also a satirist who highlighted societal and economic inequities in a tone so wickedly wry that it could render most would-be boasters mute. In her novel Emma , she did both of these things: Spun a swoony story with multiple love triangles while also calling out her protagonist for her sheltered and blinkered view of the world.
She created a fun, escapist rom-com that, 25 years after its release on July 19, , remains one of the most beloved teen movies of all time. But she also crafted a clever piece of satire.
For those who have always admired Clueless for its surface pleasures without considering what lies beneath them, this particular moment may seem like a strange time to revisit it. There are some who probably think of Clueless as a Karen movie, the story of a privileged Beverly Hills teenager who would probably have grown up to be the sort of privileged suburban woman in demanding that salons reopen so she can finally get her roots done.
Clueless has always existed in a tricky space. There was and still is a giddy feeling that one derives from looking at all its eye-popping, girlish luxuries, the endless fashion ensembles, the nice cars, the pens with fuzzy poofs on the ends. As played by Alicia Silverstone with ebullience and charm exuding from her pores, Cher can seem aspirational. Yes, Clueless is a love story and a coming-of-age story.
This irony and knowingness are perhaps what makes Clueless so enduring. There is a depth to the writing that allows the viewer to laugh both with and at the characters. Films like Legally Blonde , Mean Girls and Easy A use irony and knowingness in their tone and humour and have become stand-out cult successes like Clueless.
These films stand in contrast to more sentimental and romantic teen girl films, such as The Spectacular Now and The Edge of Seventeen , or the epic and earnest science fiction adaptations of young adult novels, such as Twilight and The Hunger Games Read more: Serious themes for young adults sets The Hunger Games apart.
The teen-focused dramedy television series Sex Education and indie film Booksmart have touched on the same sardonic humour. But unlike Sex Education or Booksmart, Clueless was made by an established bankable director and supported by the marketing apparatus of a major US studio - Paramount.
In contrast, Booksmart was a much smaller film made by first-time director Olivia Wilde , produced by niche indie studio Annapurna Pictures and debuted at South by Southwest before its wider theatrical release. Then it was off to the s, a land of Moldy Peaches-soundtracked teen pregnancies , heart-warming traveling pants , and Gus Van Sant-directed school-shootings. For a kid who was born in , Clueless provides a genuine voyeuristic thrill.
Newswire Powered by. Close the menu. Rolling Stone. Log In. Silverstone is particularly good, managing to be charming, ditsy, and annoying all at once, and it's clear why this movie made her a star. This film isn't appropriate for young kids -- it contains drinking, drug use, and implied sex -- but teens will love it.
And it might even get them to read some Jane Austen. Families can talk about Clueless ' continued appeal. Is it still relevant? What makes it a classic for teens? How is Cher less than honest with herself about her motivations for her "good deeds"? What other choices could she have made? Tai also is a character who is less than true to herself, and she pays a price.
Was what she went through worth it? Families also might want to look at Jane Austen's novel Emma and see how this adaptation reflects the original. How do the characters in Clueless demonstrate communication , empathy , and humility? Why are those important character strengths? Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
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Popular with kids Parents recommend. Charming take on Jane Austen's Emma has sex, drugs. PG 97 minutes. Rate movie. Watch or buy. Based on 26 reviews. Based on reviews. Get it now Searching for streaming and purchasing options Common Sense is a nonprofit organization.
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