‘Clueless’: Get a Clue in this Cute Romance Re-Make

---

As we do with our life memories, sometimes it’s fun to take a cinematic trip down memory lane. For many, one of these “iconic” films will be Clueless, the silly, but entertaining 90s teen comedy that re-tells Jane Austen’s Emma.

Clueless (1995) Film Review

Cher Horowitz (Alicia Silverstone) has not met a problem she couldn’t argue her way out of. Whether it’s upping the grades on her report card or getting what she wants from her gruff lawyer father, she’s the apple of her daddy’s eye, and one of the most popular girl’s in school. Her life is pretty perfect. Well, with exception to her loaf of a former stepbrother, Josh (Paul Rudd).

As her best friend, Dion (Stacey Dash) dates someone she is in a continuous fight with, Cher looks to find a new project. Her opportunity arrives in the form of Tai (Brittaney Murphey), the new girl in school, who’s just a little bit rough around the edges. While Cher isn’t interested in dating – as if! she’d date a high school boy, she does set her sights on the popular Elton as Tai’s ideal match… or so she thinks.

FILM REVIEW | How to ‘Win a Date with Tad Hamilton’ in this Funny RomCom

‘Clueless’ – Get a Clue in this Cute Romance Re-Make. A review of the 1995 comedy with Alicia Silverstone and Paul Rudd. #Romance #Movies #JaneAusten #WhattoWatch #PaulRudd Share on X

For some reason, I seem to be many taking trips down memory lane when it comes to cinematic pursuits. In an effort to be more accurate, in my case, it’s not so much “memory lane” as just re-watching films from the 90s era. This is because I don’t consider myself a person who can legit call these nostalgia favorites since I didn’t see films like this, or 10 Things I Hate About You, back when they were cool. That said, Clueless is one of the gems that was cool, and there’s a few reasons why.

The main interesting point about Clueless is that it’s a contemporary re-telling of Jane Austen’s Emma. Something it is rather effective at conceptualizing. We have a character with whom Cher “competes” (Jane Fairfax); there’s a declaration made, one in which Cher wants nothing to do with; and of course, her trademark match-making skills. The script perhaps doesn’t have the same emotional impact of Austen’s story, but it certainly hits all the high points of the story.

There’s some alterations given it’s not only a modern version, but also set in a world of teenage drama. What I do like about it though is how it presents a “mean girl,” who isn’t unlikable. By all accounts Cher could be the mean girl who rules, and we kind of want to dislike her, but instead Silverstone gives us a character we still quite like. Sure she’s popular but she’s not that same character. Everyone plays their roles quite well, and I especially enjoy seeing Paul Rudd in something pre his big break-out, or as the likable Ant-Man from MCU. clueless

These reasons and more is why this operates so well as a re-telling. Another of the ways it does is by giving its heroine an iconic one-name moniker, and of course, there’s pretty strong parallels in the matches she attempts. There’s an adorable romance that I think does have some controversy, but for me, it works. Between the hilarious freeway scene and Cher’s trademark “as if!” expression, there’s plenty to enjoy about this adorable romantic-comedy.

PINTEREST PIN

---

Content: There’s sexual humor, including conversation about which girls are still virgins. Cher attempts to seduce someone, only to later learn he prefers males. The film rates PG-13.