Clueless
1995 · Directed by Amy Heckerling
Original language: English
- comedy
- romance
The story
Shallow, rich and socially successful Cher is at the top of her Beverly Hills high school's pecking scale. Seeing herself as a matchmaker, Cher first coaxes two teachers into dating each other. Emboldened by her success, she decides to give hopelessly klutzy new student Tai a makeover. When Tai becomes more popular than she is, Cher realizes that her disapproving ex-stepbrother was right about how misguided she was -- and falls for him.
What it’s like
Bright, saturated Southern California daylight floods every frame of this 1995 high-school comedy, with pastel wardrobes, sherbet-colored cars and a Beverly Hills campus that looks like a catalogue spread. The camera is cheerful and mobile, with quick cuts, snappy pans and a lot of direct-to-camera voiceover, and the mall, the party and the driveway are rendered with a sunny, slightly plastic sheen. The score and soundtrack lean on bouncy mid-nineties pop and bright, percussive cues, so the sound is busy and upbeat rather than quiet. Its vibe is sunny, giddy and gently satirical, the kind of breezy watch for a lazy Saturday, a comfort rewatch, or a feel-good evening with friends. The pacing is brisk and episodic, the tone warm and light, and the emotional arc follows a self-absorbed girl slowly learning to see past her own image of herself. Violence is absent; the rough edges are mild teen social embarrassment, some brief sexual talk and innuendo, and a couple of light drug references, all played for laughs. It suits people who want a funny, affectionate, low-stakes comedy with a sweet romantic payoff.
More films like Clueless
Closest in mood, pacing and theme. Tell us why you loved Cluelessand we’ll explain which ones fit you.
