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‘Clueless’ Comes to Netflix: Why My Favorite Movie Should Be Your Next Watch

'Clueless' hits Netflix on June 1st!

By MovieBabblePublished 4 years ago 3 min read
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Paramount HE

Sometimes, even when the world of film seems hopeless, what with highly anticipated films being postponed, all-out wars between Trolls and theaters, and beloved actors being exposed to a deadly virus, there is a beacon of hope. It can be different things to different people. But to me, it’s Clueless coming to Netflix on June 1st. Clueless is a 1996 film written and directed by Amy Heckerling that follows Cher Horowitz, a young and beautiful Beverly Hills rich girl, as she navigates and influences her friends’ social and love lives, all while wearing the greatest outfits you can imagine. It is, of course, an adaptation of Jane Austen’s Emma, and I have already written about the 2020 adaptation of Emma, which you can check out here. But, I digress. Allow me to tell you why the first thing you should do on June 1st is watch Clueless, which is a perfect movie.

Here’s the Thing

I know what you’re thinking. “Anna, I’ve read a couple of your reviews before. Of course you love this movie! It has a gorgeous blonde protagonist, focuses on romance and friendship, and it’s related to Jane Austen. This movie was made for you, that doesn’t mean I will like it.” Fair point! I will not sit here and pretend that is not all absolutely true. However, Clueless is different.

I’ve already given you a quick outline of the plot, but allow me to go a bit more in-depth. Cher Horowitz (Alicia Silverstone) is sixteen and has a perfect life. She’s popular, she’s rich, she’s gorgeous, and she’s smart. She has an intense but loving father, (Dan Hedaya) an equally fabulous best friend in Dionne, (Stacey Dash before she became problematic) and a kicking new Jeep to drive once she has her license.

One day, she finds out she has a C in her debate class. After a lot of failed negotiation, she decides to set up her debate teacher (Wallace Shawn) with another of her teachers, (Twink Caplan) they fall in love, and all of a sudden, Cher’s grade goes from a C to an A. She fancies herself a bit of a matchmaker after this, so when Tai, (Brittany Murphy) a grunge artist, moves into town, she and Dionne decide to give her a makeover and set her up with Elton, (Jeremy Sisto) the douchey yet hot rich guy of your dreams. All the while, Cher has a teasing but friendly relationship with her ex-step brother, Josh, (the dreamy Paul Rudd) who challenges her throughout the film. Hilarity obviously ensues from there.

If you want a more direct comparison to Emma, check out our article on it here, but that isn’t the only reason I love this movie. Look at this plot, this cast of characters, and the actors who play them, and tell me this isn’t a recipe for success. You cannot! Silverstone plays Cher with such finesse that even in her brattiest moments, it’s impossible not to fall in love with her. Cher is supposed to be unlikable. She is supposed to be too good for anyone, too rich to bother, and both book smart and absolutely, forgive me, clueless at the same time. None of these traits are things I look for in a friend or partner, yet I want her to be both. It’s because, at the heart of this film, and at the heart of Cher, beyond the need for designer clothes and big houses and cute guys, is a genuine desire to leave the world and the people she knows better than she found them. Cher has initially selfish intentions, of course, but her quest to “improve” Tai is altruistic, if a bit misguided. Cher also, throughout the story, seeks to improve herself through her friendships. What a lovely message that is disguised in one of the most gorgeously costumed and funniest movies ever made!

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READ THE REST OF THE ARTICLE ON OUR WEBSITE: https://moviebabble.com/2020/05/28/clueless-comes-to-netflix-why-my-favorite-movie-should-be-your-next-watch/

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MovieBabble

The Casual Way to Discuss Movies! Head over to moviebabble.com to see all our content!

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