“Clueless” (1995) – Paul Rudd’s Captivating Coming-of-Age Classic

Writer/Director: Amy Heckerling

Starring: Alicia Silverstone, Paul Rudd and Stacey Dash

‘A Captivating Coming-of-Age Classic’

Not many actors in Hollywood have earned the appreciation of Paul Rudd. Ever since his rise to recognition in the 1990’s, Rudd has become a strong icon. Whether it’s comic-book heroes, reckless teenagers or wise teachers, Rudd has portrayed several strong characters. Arguably, Rudd’s greatest strength as an actor has often been his likeable personality. He’s one of those actors that has always had a likeable persona. Rudd has often had an aptitude for portraying comical characters which have a sharp sense of humour. Although he is best known for funny roles, Rudd has proven that he can excel in a drama as well. An actor with commitment to his craft, Rudd has become a celebrated icon in entertainment. Through his abilities to play strong chat where which are compelling, Rudd has built a legacy that’s lasting. Throughout a lasting career, Rudd has made several strong movies which we definitely without any doubts worth watching.

I’m a huge fan of Rudd and adore all the films he has made in his career. However, “Clueless” is my favourite. Ever since its release in 1995, Amy Heckerling’s movie has stood the test of time as a coming-of-age classic. Packed with breathtaking production-design, spellbinding storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best teen movies ever made. At the centre of it all is a phenomenal performance by Paul Rudd, who embodies a personal assistant that falls in love with an adolescent girl. Ultimately, what makes “Clueless” a classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most teen movies made during the 1990’s that tend to be outdated, it tackles commemorated themes everyone could relate to. A captivating coming-of-age classic about teen girls, there are many strong reasons why “Clueless” is a movie which is definitely worth seeing.

“Clueless” tells the story of a clueless teenage girl embarking on a journey to find her identity. Alicia Silverstone portrays Cher, a rich socialite girl that struggles to achieve success in a high school. Cher is a shallow girl which cares more about her beauty than doing well in academics in school. Cher has always believed that she is destined to succeed in school based on social status. When she assists a new student Tai in her search for a close boyfriend, Cher is given chances to make dreams come true. However, Cher’s life forever changed when she falls in love causing disaster. Facing a dilemma, Cher questions whether it’s possible to accomplish her goals in the modern era. Living a clueless life without any clear direction, Cher questions whether she can overcome tension. As all odds are stacked against her favour, Cher wonders whether would ever be able to overcome odds causing terror.

Amy Heckerling is fascinated with the lives of teenage girls. A fabulous filmmaker, Heckerling has often made movies about teen girls facing odds which are stacked against their favour. With “Clueless”, however, Heckerling created her first school drama. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the barriers faced by teenage girls, but she succeeded immensely. Through stunning cinematography, Heckerling captures a teen girl embarking on a journey to discover her identity. Visually, the movie is a stunning feast for the eyes as beautiful as the matches clueless teenagers seek to organize. Heckerling expertly uses montages to capture a teenage girl embarking on a journey to find her identities in high school. For instance, the montages elevate the opening scene. During this unforgettable scene, Cher introduces the audience to her adventurous life in high school. One appreciates montages capturing hardship that teen girls are facing. Montages are tricky techniques to use in teen movies. As Stephen Chbosky’s “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” demonstrated, montages enhance coming of age films about anxious teenagers. However, it works immensely in this movie. Through bold visuals, Heckerling creates teenagers which audiences relate to.

Another admirable aspect of “Clueless” that merits appreciation is the production design. From a technical perspective, the film is very well made. Heckerling uses strong costume-design to capture the lives of teenage girls facing a decline. Throughout the film, Cher’s costumes showcase her transformation into a teen girl with social status. For instance, the costumes elevate the party scene. During this memorable scene, Cher attends a glamorous party wearing gorgeous dresses. One admires costumes showcasing the special social status of teenage girls. Through these costumes, the filmmaker creates a teen girl their audiences can easily relate to. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. David Kitay’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the film a tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that teen girls bear. Through bold production design, Heckerling captures the lives of teen girls which shine.

Storytelling is one of the reason why “Clueless” is a captivating classic about teenagers that is compelling. The film is beautifully written, and expertly uses voice-over narration to capture tensions faced by teenage girls. Heckerling’s screenwriting strength is her ability to capture the lives of teenage girls experiencing tension through narration. Throughout the movie, Cher expresses her views on being an adolescent girl through narration. One appreciates voice-over narration capturing the lives of teenage girls facing tension. For instance, narration elevates the matchmaking scene. During this unforgettable scene, Cher first plans to set up Tai with a boyfriend through narration. Voice-over narration is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Frank Darabont’s “The Shawshank Redemption” suggested, narration enhances celebrated prison dramas. Robert Zemeckis’ “Forrest Gump” demonstrated narration is suited to movies about intellectual disability. Through a spectacular screenplay, Heckerling captures clueless teenage girls which face a price to pay.

One appreciates amazing performances.

Alicia Silverstone gives one of her best career performances as Cher. Silverstone first gained appreciation for playing romantic heroines in period pieces. With “Clueless”, however, she took on her most emotional role. It isn’t easy to portray a teenage girl facing tension in high school, but she succeeded immensely. This is the actress unlike you’ve ever seen her in the past before: fun g, charismatic and emotional in her most memorable role. Silverstone has an aptitude for playing teen girls, and “Clueless” showcased her strengths as an actress. With riveting expressions, she captures the anger, desperation and jealousy of a teen girl which seeks to find her identity. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the finest actresses today.

Paul Rudd is phenomenal as a teenage boy that falls in love with a girl that’s simple to recall. While Silverstone gets the showier role, Rudd is equally excellent as an adolescent facing a toll. Rudd has always had an aptitude for playing charismatic characters with a sharp sense of humour, and “Clueless” showcased his strengths as an actor. As Josh, Rudd effectively uses his body language to create a teenage character that’s compelling. Whether he is flirting with Cher or seeking to attend to accounting business, Rudd expertly uses body language to create a character that’s fascinating. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the best actors working today.

Finally, “Clueless” would earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing clueless adolescents lacking direction. Unlike most teen movies, it tackles universal themes everyone can relate to. It discusses strong themes such as identity, marriage and jealousy which would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with the 1990’s era to appreciate it. It delivers a strong message about importance of finding one’s life purpose that will resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Clueless” is one of those rare commemorated movies everyone would adore.

Fans of Paul Rudd would definitely appreciate “Clueless” and so will movie-goers that seek exhilarating entertainment. A coming-of-age classic about teens, it honours an actor that has built a legacy which is iconic.

Nearly 30 years following the release of a groundbreaking teen comedy about clueless adolescent girls whose lives lack meaning engaging in matchmaking, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has built a lasting legacy earning a huge fan following for his abilities to portray larger-than-life characters which are compelling in captivating movies tackling commemorated themes which are definitely without any doubt worth celebrating.

5/5 stars