“Clueless,” released in 1995, is about the rich, shallow and socially successful Cher, who is at the top of her Beverly Hills high school’s popularity scale. Seeing herself as a matchmaker, Cher first coaxes two teachers into dating each other. Emboldened by her success, she decides to give hopelessly klutzy new student, Tai, a makeover. When Tai becomes more popular than she is, Cher realizes that her disapproving ex-stepbrother was right about how misguided she really was – and then falls for him.
The film has since become a staple 1990s cult classic and remains one of the most recognizable films of the decade. Even today, you can still find the movie pretty much everywhere. From the iconic catchphrase “As if!” to Halloween costumes, music videos and even remakes. So what is it that makes this movie so unforgettable that it’s still alive in today’s pop culture?
Sure, to some, “Clueless” might be just another chick flick about a stereotypical blonde, air-headed shopaholic, but it’s actually much more than that. The movie effortlessly weaves together topics including friendships, relationships, sexuality and dealing with the world thinking you’re nothing more than a simpleton.
It might be surprising that a movie released in 1995 is so adored by both millennials and Gen Z kids. “Clueless” might be a remnant of the political and social terms of the 1990s, and even now, but it’s also a cinematic reverie of the type not usually seen anymore in today’s film industry. It’s been 23 years since the film was released, and it’s still a cultural staple that represents both teenage angst and pop culture in an alluring way.
