894. Clueless

Clueless
1995
Director by Amy Heckerling

As my book blog readers may know, I am a huge Jane Austen fan.  I don't think I have seen a bad adaptation of her work yet.  I guess when the source material is so impressive, it is hard to fuck it up.  So one of my favorite movies based on one of my favorite novels.  Prepare for a rave.

Cher Horowitz and her best friend Dionne are the most popular girls at their Beverly Hills high school. While Dionne dates fellow student Murray, Cher insists that high school boys aren't worth her time (fair point).  Cher is superficial but kind hearted and wants to use her popularity for good (or, as her stepbrother Josh claims, to promote her own self interest).  She decides to take a new student, Tai, under her wing, because, as Cher says, Tai is totally clueless.

I wonder if I would have enjoyed this movie half as much if I hadn't read Emma (I wondered the same thing in my Jurassic Park post; this might be the first time those two movies have been compared to each other).  I got a thrill every time I noticed a parallel.  I particularly liked the Elton/Tai storyline, as it was modernized in such a clever way.  I also liked what they did with the Frank Churchill character.  I suspected he was gay in the novel; he seemed to care a little bit too much about his haircut.

If you haven't read Emma, I still think it is a fun film (but seriously, if you haven't, get it together).  It's absolutely hilarious; pretty much every line Wallace Shawn delivers has me laughing.  It's also brilliant in how it mocks the shallow, materialistic lives of 90s teens while simultaneously portraying them in an endearing light.

I could go on and on, but I will end it here by saying it is my favorite teen movie.  It's also directed by a woman, which is always a pleasant surprise.

RATING: *****

Interesting Facts:

Alicia Silverstone did not know the correct pronunciation of "Haitians" but Heckerling left it in, as she felt it fit Cher's character.

Paul Rudd auditioned for the role of Murray, as he assumed Murray was a white teenager trying to pass for a rapper.

679. Fast Times at Ridgemont High

Fast Times at Ridgemont High
1981
Directed by Amy Heckerling

The female directors have been few and far between on The List, although I can't fairly blame the editors of this book for that.  Still, it is refreshing when one comes along although  I am not quite sure this movie deserves the praise that has been heaped on it.

The film follows the story of several students at Ridgemont High.  The most important characters are Brad, a senior who must endure humiliating jobs, his sexually inexperienced sister Stacy, and her more sexually experienced friend Linda.  Hey, every good story needs the virgin and the whore dynamic.  You also have Sean Penn floating in the peripheries as Jeff Spicoli, a stoner who constantly infuriates his teacher, Mr. Hand.

It is clear from this film that teen comedies hadn't really hit their stride yet.  Don't get me wrong; it is entertaining and has plenty of funny bits.  But I couldn't shake the feeling that the filmmakers were handling the Linda character all wrong.  What did we learn from her sexual awakening?  That sex for women is awkward and humiliating, an act that can only end in rejection, unplanned pregnancy, or worse?  I don't want to be unfair to Heckerling, but it seems like she could have maybe shaken up the usual message that is spouting to women during their teenage years.

Maybe I am asking too much from her; I am just excited we finally have a female director that makes enjoyable films. Also, she didn't write the screenplay so I suppose it is ultimately from a male perspective.  Is it time for Clueless yet?

RATING: ***--

Interesting Facts:

Only time Nicolas Cage has appeared in a film as Nicolas Coppola.

Based on Cameron Crowe's book, which he wrote after attending a high school undercover.  Is this real life?