The Emmas of Yore: "Clueless"
Saturday, February 22, 2020 at 10:00AM To celebrate the release of Emma, let's revisit the novel's previous iterations in film history. First up, the case of Amy Heckerling's Clueless (1995)
From 1940 to 1995, no motion picture was made with a screenplay based on any Jane Austen novel. There were some negligible low-budget miniseries along the way, but nothing major. Then came the 90s and everything changed. In 1995 alone, the world got to enjoy the pleasures of Roger Michell's Persuasion and the lavish TV adaptation of Pride & Prejudice with Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth. Most importantly, Clueless happened, effectively showing that Jane Austen was cool and igniting the Hollywood trend of filming great tomes of classic literature reimagined as modern teen movies…
While 1995's Persuasion and Pride & Prejudice are wonderful achievements they also set a precedent for seeing Jane Austen through the lenses of romantic dramas, inherently prestigious and a bit serious-minded too. Clueless, on the other hand, understood that Austen's work is essentially social satire by means of comedic folly. Those books are full of biting wit and ridiculous people, razor-sharp reflections of social mores, and endearingly record the games of casual tête-à-tête and its curated idioms. When those things are covered by the patina of prestige-focused historical reproduction, their essence can get lost amongst frills and neoclassic buildings.
Stripping away the razzle-dazzle of Regency-era finery, writer/director Amy Heckerling allows the novel's more abrasive and funny qualities to shine through. The stilted cadences of 19th-century conversations are no more artificial than the MTV-era slang of the American teenager, for instance. Similarly, the self-centeredness of Emma Woodhouse is only made more obvious when played by Alicia Silverstone's Cher Horowitz. The themes of class and money are also inescapable when the story is set among the teenage children of Beverly Hills' wealthy elite, their lack of self-awareness as grating as it is hilarious.
If not for the candy-colored costumes and constant stream of jokes, Clueless could be too nasty for its own good. Still, the genius of both Heckerling and Austen lies in the precious balance between mockery and affection. Clueless is never afraid to make its characters seem absurd but it does this while also celebrating them. The movie positively vibrates with love for the silly teens, helped in no small part by across-the-board charm from an unimprovable cast (where was their SAG Cast nomination?). Thus, the bitter aroma of cynicism never features in the literary recipe or the cinematic one, resulting in a fanciful narrative dessert that's sweet but also filled with intelligent observations, wit and colorful characters we'll never forget.
What's your favorite quote from Clueless's pitch-perfect screenplay?
Reader Comments (26)
love this idea for a series! 1995 was also the year of the lee / thompson sense & sensibility
I mean the back-and-forth about being a "Monet" is probably my favorite exchange. But for a single line, it's probably: "He does dress better than I do - what would I bring to the relationship?".
Just reading the title and blurb of the series I knew this would be a Claudio piece. Ugh your mind. <3 You the MVP boo xo
Plus a great soundtrack!
Alicia Silverstone as Cher Horowitz is my favorite comic performance from 1995.
The moment that makes me laugh is the way she says: "Oops, my bad"
I haven't watched the movie in many years so, i don't remember more quotable lines in this moment, I guess it would be great to watch it again but ... Whatever
So in the category of Movies That Instantly Make You Smile, Clueless has to be a top 5 entry. My favorite exchange is probably Tai’s makeover. “That takes care of our minds and bodies, but we should do something good for mankind or the planet or something.” Lol
Wow. I have watched Clueless about 3 times and am now up for a 4th. I don't know Jane Austen, and never knew Clueless was based on that. I just thought it was a very funny and bright movie.
My favorite line (paraphrasing). Cher walks downstairs to tell her dad that she's leaving for a party. She is wearing a very short dress. Her dad says "what in the world are you wearing". Cher says "it's a party dress". Her dad says "Says who?" Cher answers "Calvin Klein". Her dad says "It looks like underwear."
Cher’s dad Mel (Dan Hedaya) to Cher’s date:
“Anything happens to my daughter, I’ve got a .45 and a shovel, and I doubt anybody would miss you”.
How did “Clueless” not win an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay? Not even get nominated?
"Why am I even listening to you? You're a virgin who can't drive."
"Rolling with the homies."
The absolute best teen movie ever made.
Not just the best teen movie ever made, but one of the best movies ever made, period.
"It does not say RSVP on the Statue of Liberty."
"Get out of my chair!"
Silverstone Is Julia Level In This.
"He's a disco-dancing, Oscar Wilde-reading, Streisand ticket holding friend of Dorothy's."
Tai: "Shit you guys, I've never had straight friends before"
Amber: "We're going to Melrose"
Cher: "Do you prefer the term fashion victim or ensembley challenged?"
“You into Billie Holiday?”
“I love him”
The one that gets the most use out of me, even to this day, is "I totally paused!"
"I totally paused"
“I hope not sporadically” and Silverstone’s line reading of “Calvin Klein.”
It’s just nuts that Silverstone didn’t get a golden globe nomination for her performance. This also would have been a great contender for a screenplay win.
“there goes your social life”
Does this mean we won’t get a totally buggin’ 25th anniversary retrospective this summer?
There was a line about her comment about guys wearing those baggy pants as saying "I don't to be a traitor to my generation or anything but..."
I don't remember the exact quote but what she said about the fashion of the 90s is now so smacked on. Fashion has gotten much worse now.
Truly one of the great screenplays (comedic or otherwise) and I don't care what anybody says.
"Way harsh, Tai" - always a Classic!
I alws feel tt Legally Blonde is a spin-off o Clueless!
i really enjoyed this article…very informative for everyone..best regards
Re "par" above. Social life . Rendered me helpless.