Clueless
A slick comedy about the escapades of wealthy high school students in Beverly Hills who are obsessed with sex, fashion, and plastic surgery. A light-hearted take on adolescence in the 1990s, loosely based on Jane Austen’s Emma.
Cher (Alicia Silverstone), a high school student, lives in a large pink bubble. She is the best-dressed, most fashion-conscious girl at school, has wealthy parents, and is hugely popular among her classmates, whom she helps find suitable partners. Trouble arises when a new girl arrives at school. Cher helps her new classmate Tai become popular but doesn’t anticipate that Tai might actually surpass her in popularity.
‘The movie is aimed at teenagers,’ wrote film critic Roger Ebert upon Clueless’ release, ‘but like all good comedies, it will appeal to anyone who has a sense of humor.’ The film – rejected by several Hollywood studios – became a huge hit and remains popular to this day. It is cheerful, heartwarming, upbeat, clever, funny, and satirical in a way that still resonates, according to lead actress Alicia Silverstone.
Director Amy Heckerling (Look Who’s Talking, Fast Times At Ridgemont High) worked closely with costume designer Mona May, who assembled all the outfits on a modest budget, including 63 different looks for Alicia Silverstone, among them the iconic yellow plaid suit. (mv)