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Clueless review

We review Clueless - where Jane Austen’s classic Emma gets transplanted to nineties LA

Clueless poster

Clueless

Certificate: 12A

Starring: Alicia Silverstone, Brittany Murphy, Paul Rudd

Release date: 1995

4 out of 5

4

Jane Austen’s classic Emma gets transplanted to nineties LA in Clueless, the comedy that launched (albeit briefly) a few Beverly Hills catchphrases such as ‘I’m audi’ (I’m out of here), ‘Monet’ (someone who looks pretty from a distance but is a mess up close) and ‘total Baldwin’ (a good-looking guy, as in actors Alec and Billy Baldwin).

Cher (Silverstone) lives with her lawyer dad (mum died in a freak liposuction accident) in a Beverly Hills mansion, has a colour-coordinated wardrobe to die for and a best pal named Dionne (Stacey Dash). At school the pair befriend new-girl Tai (Murphy, who sadly died in 2009) and decide to give her a make-over so she can snag a cute guy, while Cher sets her own sights on the brooding Christian (Justin Walker). Of course, Cher has a hunky stepbrother at home (Rudd) who’s much nicer, but writer/director Amy Heckerling has fun with the smart dialogue and situations Cher encounters along the way to true happiness.

Terrific stuff for teenage girls, this was spun off into a TV series featuring Dash, with Rachel Blanchard taking over the role of Cher, that ran from 1996 until 1999.

Is Clueless suitable for kids? Here are our parents’ notes...

None.

If you like this, why not try: Easy A, 10 Things I Hate About You, Never Been Kissed, Mean Girls, Cruel Intentions,