Clueless (1995)

I loved Clueless when I was a kid. I remember watching it for the first time with my grandmother because she had it in her small collection of DVDs. I was probably ten or eleven, maybe? Anyway, I adored it. 

I adored Cher’s fashion sense and her whole vibe, her whole life. She had her own car, a super cool jeep, and lived in a mansion. And the computer she used to pick out her outfits? Wow! 

Recently, I decided to take a trip down memory lane because I was bored and figured, why not? 

The movie begins with a montage of Cher and her classmates laughing, hanging out, being rich, carefree teenagers in the 90s. Then comes Cher’s voiceover, and she explains her life, gives us a little background, etcetera, and the movie goes on from there.

Her life does seem very paradise-y. She wants for nothing. 

Her dad is a lawyer and a hardass. He yells a lot. And Cher kind of takes care of him, making sure he watches his diet and such, which is sweet.

Besides him, Cher doesn't have any other family, since her mom is dead. But apparently, her dad was married before to another woman who had a son a little older than Cher. His name is Josh and though Cher's dad and Josh’s mom aren't together anymore, Josh still comes over to the house despite Cher’s disapproval. 

When she complains to her dad about Josh coming over, he says “you divorce wives, not children" or something like that. I really like that. I like that he believes it. He continues to care about Josh despite the fact he and Josh’s mom aren't together. 

It shows he has a heart underneath his loud, stubborn personality. 

Another important character is Cher’s best friend, Dionne. I think Dionne is really pretty. Whoever the actress is, that is. As for the character, she’s sweet, a little bitchy at times. She doesn't get much screen time. But as Cher’s sidekick, she does pretty well. 

What do I mean by sidekick? I’m glad you asked. 

One of the main storylines in the beginning of the movie is Cher trying to get two of her teachers together because she wants them to change her grades. The logic is that if they're not lonely, then they'll go easier on her academically. 

One of the teachers is her debate teacher. And considering her debates suck, he really shouldn't change her grades, but of course, after some Cher/Dione magical manipulation, he does. 

Now, while Cher is definitely a clueless (hey, look, I said the title of the movie) head-in-the-clouds chick, manipulating her teachers into a sweet, consensual relationship is pretty brilliant. And it works out for her. 

For the entire student body, actually. 

After this, Cher feels so good about herself that she wants to do something else good for others, at which point, the new girl, Tai, arrives. And so, Cher takes Tai under her wing. 

During their first meeting, Tai makes a comment about needing an “herbal refreshment" to help her nerves. I found it hilarious because as a kid I didn't get what this quote was talking about but now, I’m an adult, and I understand drug references.

Dionne doesn’t seem to get it either because after Tai says it, Dionne says something about the cafeteria having tea and Coke, and anyway…

I did enjoy the montage scene featuring Tai’s makeover. It was cute. And her first meeting with Travis, this skater guy in Cher’s class, was smile-worthy. Tai shows him the drawings she did of Marvin The Martian, the skinny dude in a gladiator helmet from Looney Tunes. 

But Cher and Dionne tell Tai that Travis is not an option. Basically, saying he’s below them because apparently, Cher, Dionne, and now, Tai, are God’s gift to high school. 

They all have good hearts but they can be real bitches. 

Tai included, as the movie goes on. 

The movie is cute, funny, and I enjoyed it. I think it’s worth a watch if you like romantic comedies or just want to watch something that isn’t so serious.

My Favorite Parts Of The Movie 

(Spoilers Ahead)

Cher and Josh’s Banter 

I did really enjoy the banter between Cher and Josh. Their interactions, bickering about what to watch on TV or sitting on the couch, or whatever, was fun and made me smile. They may be step-siblings, technically, but they're also the main romance of the movie. 

They don't really have any “couple" moments until the very end, though. 

In the last ten minutes, Cher realizes her feelings for Josh (dramatically, of course) and wonders what to do. She can't use any of her usual “How to catch a boy’s attention” methods, so she decides to do a makeover on her soul. 

Her words, not mine. 

Final Thoughts

Overall, I’d probably describe Clueless as an “I'm bored, this will do" movie but it does have some funny moments and as a whole, it's pretty fun. It’s cute, a little girly, but then again, it’s supposed to be. 

Cher is definitely clueless but she’s also sweet and kind for the most part, so are Dionne and Tai. 

I’d say Clueless is worth a watch, at least once.