You Haven't Got A Clue! (Clueless (DVD))

Member Name: rleigh

Product:	Clueless (DVD)
Date:	10/03/08 (73 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A decent 90s teen comedy film, Alicia Silverstone is excellent in her role.

Disadvantages: Some of the performances are quite poor.

Long before 'Mean Girls' there was 'Clueless'. Released in 1995 and starring a certain Alicia Silverstone at its helm, 'Clueless' tells the tale of a group of girls who are just too cool for school. If you're a fan of the hit series 'Scrubs' then you'll notice that Dr. Turk features here as well, aka Donald Faison. It's a classic of the 90s, a fantastic comedy film with a good helping of romance to boot. It progresses well and contains a great deal of humour throughout in order to help keep you entertained at all times.

The first time I saw this film was not long ago now and all I can say is that after 13 years the film is now extremely dated. It may have been quite current in 1995, but the choice words of the 'Clueless' girls is very mid-90s. Their 'cool' is now passée, the 2004 film 'Mean Girls' is a much more current film set out in a similar sort of sense. Whilst it is quite dated, it is also greatly enjoyable and watching 'Clueless' certainly provides for a worthwhile viewing experience. The characters are quite detestable and yet it is this that makes the film so appealing. Due to the way these girls act you don't feel as though you can relate to them, but they're all interesting characters and each one of them is individually entertaining.

'Clueless' is a modernisation of Jane Austen's novel 'Emma'. Cher is the films central figure, at first she seems quite superficial and drives around happily in her jeep despite the fact that she is yet to obtain her driving license. Initially she comes across as quite obnoxious and yet as the film unfolds she displays herself to actually be rather intelligent and charming. She possesses great wit and her emotional understanding is central to the film as she goes on a spiritual journey in a quest to find her inner self.

Played by Alicia Silverstone, our leading lady Cher is excellent in her role as the intelligent blonde. She performs the part well and is most certainly greatly convincing as the character of Cher. Alicia Silverstone injects great levels of depth into the character and her performance really rings true as her spiritual journey begins and the film unravels. If you ever watched the American show 'Six Feet Under' then you'll notice the presence of Jeremy Sisto in this film. He was Billy in 'Six Feet Under', and although quite a detestable character in this film he plays his part pretty well anyway. Truth be told, the majority of the performances in this film are pretty unmemorable, but this doesn't really seem to matter that much as the film is still greatly viewable despite its discrepancies.

I'm not a huge fan of film soundtracks usually and yet I actually find many of the tracks used here to be brilliantly placed and utilised. No Doubt's 'Just A Girl' for example fits the film perfectly, and really works well in the films opening. Mighty Mighty Bosstones 'Where'd You Go' on the other hand provides a good bit of Ska for the soundtrack and in my opinion this can never be perceived to be a bad thing. 'Kids in America' is another well chosen track that suits the film perfectly, and the Supergrass smash 'Alright' is similarly superbly used within 'Clueless'. The soundtrack was well chosen here which I often find with films is not the case, it was certainly good to watch a film in which time and effort had obviously gone into the track selection.

'Clueless' is a coming of age film, Alicia Silverstone's 'Cher' grows up a lot during this film and it is this that is focussed on. The film is funny and yet it also sends out good messages to its viewers about helping out others and perhaps contributing towards making the world a better place. It definitely contains its morals and whilst its highly apparent that the film is now a good 13 years old; 'Clueless' is still a film that is well worthwhile watching if you have not before done so. It provides a nice bit of light entertainment, and if this is what you're after on an evening then why not give this film a go. You can't go far wrong with films of this sort I feel, what could you possibly have against such a charming teen comedy as this.


Director: Amy Heckerling
Year of release: 1995
Genre: Comedy/Romance
Language: English
Runtime: 97 mins
BBFC Rating: 12

Summary: 'Clueless' is extremely dated but definitely still worth watching.