The Original Manhattanite : “As If! Whatever! “Clueless the Movie”: Celebrating the 20th anniversary

Saturday, March 14, 2015

“As If! Whatever! “Clueless the Movie”: Celebrating the 20th anniversary

The cast of Clueless goofing around on their cell phones (1995)

Now I came up with this idea a while ago didn’t know it was all ready hitting the blogosphere and media Amy Heckerling the director of this 1990s 20^th century classic film is one that this generation X, Y, and millennials will remember for decades to come. The film was so popular and started a huge pop culture phenomenon it went on to have its own television series. Clueless was based loosely on Jane Austen’s “Emma” how you turn an 19^h century book (written in 1815) into a 1990s pop film icon. The film grossed 56 million at the Box office and 20 million it’s first debut week. The music, the fashion, the scenes, the area they shot the film in, and yes the actors and actresses have all gone on to become very serious well known actors. I love the movie my mom took me to see the film it debuted July 19, 1995 right a few months before my 9^th birthday (that was a fun one celebrated at DZ: Discovery Zone). This film is one near and dear to my heart. I watch it and yes I instantly fall in love with the characters and everyone all over again. The main characters the protagonist and narrator, Charlotte “Cher” Horowitz played by (Alicia Silverstone) this was her breakout role, the late, Brittany Murphy (Tai), Stacey Dash (Dionne “Dee” Davenport), Joshua “Josh” Lucas (Paul Rudd), Donald Faison (Murray), Dan Hedaya (Melvin “Mel” Horowitz), Elisa Donovan (Amber Mariens), Justin Walker (Christian). The film had a huge cult following and is still pretty popular to this day. In 2008 it received accolades as the 19^th best comedy of the past 25 years and one of the New Classics. This film is definitely meant to be watched for generations to come every teenage girl, tween, preteen will love this film believe me.

The Fashion Trends

This movie sparked many fashion trends of course with the film being based off of posh and popular scene back in the 1990s in Beverly Hills, California. Also the age group Cher, Dionne, Amber, and Tai’s style was based off of being in high school all of them went to a public posh, upper class high school. Most of the characters were pretty casual in the film with baggy jeans, t-shirts, but you did see a large expansion of fashion trends from every group and ethnic background within the film. Baggy pants, flannel t-shirts, plaid schoolgirl skirts, knee -highs, high designers, Backward caps, creative fun hats, all of these fashion trends were huge during that time. However, with the costume designer she kept the main characters fashionable, girly, trendy, and definitely worthy of copying during that time. One notable fashion trend was the bright colorful clothing as well. Especially with the female characters they wanted to reflect the style of the young women in Hollywood. All of the outfits I probably would have worn if old enough during that time. I think the fashion was sort of like another character added to the film.

Where are all of the characters now.

Stacey Dash will appear in Hallmark film, “Cloudy with a chance of love” on February 8^th, 2015. She is also a contributor with Reuters on “Fox and Friends”, she appeared on Single Ladies, and the hysterical comedy, “Dysfunctional Friends” (2011). Now as for Alicia Silverstone she appeared in “Batman & Robin” as Batgirl, ”Beauty Shop”, “Suburgatory” television show in 2012, “HR”, and was in the film, “Gods Behaving Badly.” Would love to see these two appear in another film together even if it wasn’t another comedy. The chemistry within the film was magnetic with all of them. Rolling stone magazine just released there will be a vinyl record with the soundtrack as well. For more information or if you want to buy the film I suggest http://www.amazon.com . Oh just found out some great news my readers there’s a possible Broadway version of “Clueless”. Now if it does come to the “Big Apple” (New York City). You know I will find a way to most certainly be there. So celebrate and roll with your homies while watching “Clueless” or “Audi my people” lol!!!!

The Theme of the movie-“Don’t be Clueless” pay attention, work hard don’t be a slacker because you’re rich, entitled, and have plenty of money. The point of the film actually I think to most Americans got it was you don’t want your daughter to be an uninformed or unintelligent young lady of course not that’s not what I think everyone wanted you to take away from the film. I think the film had many elements and different situations that you don’t want to put yourself into as well. I believe the theme That’s what Clueless was about you can be beautiful, stylish, but the important thing is to be intelligent, gracious, kind, charitable, morals, to have a richer sense of character as well. Also to pay close attention to the signs as well. There were a lot of moments in this film looking back in retrospect no female should be in that situation at all. It had a lot of themes the power of friendship, self-value as well. Cher actually was a typical all American girl, even though she may have been known as being selfish or spoiled. She actually had a heart of gold was willing to change for the better. She wanted to take her education seriously, she wanted to be popular, likeable, and also well-rounded. Tell you the truth she actually was not that bad of a character for girl. In a way she wasn’t just mediocre I think Cher was a bit of a perfectionist and well established girl. I think she was the young woman who she really wanted to be in the film and more. For her to be popular she had to have done something right.

The Soundtrack 1990s group featured in the film, like

“Shake Some Action” , “Kids in America”, “Supermodel”, “Rollin’ with the Homies” by Coolio. The soundtrack of the film definitely memorable a lot of alternative, rock, hip hop, pop music was in the film. I think even “No Doubt’s “Just A Girl” was in the film as well definitely suits the character, Cher. I just had to write this because I love the film truly, and definitely one of my best memories growing up. I think that’s when I really fell in love with comedy and fashion too. Happy 20 Birthday Clueless make it a great one I hope all of you will be getting the special anniversary dvd.