I had such a blast watching this super-fun Austenesque movie yesterday with such lovely friends!! It really brings the experience to a whole new enjoyment level! Whether you were able to join us or not, please feel free to participate in our Wrap-Up Discussion today! Participating in this post does enter you in a chance to win one of our 3 fabulous giveaway prizes!
- You can answer any or all of these questions!
- Or, you can forget the questions and just share what you thought of the movie.
- OR…you can bring up some questions or topics of discussion of your own!
CLUELESS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Was this your first encounter with Clueless? If so, what did you think of it? If not your first time, what do you think about it?
2. While never promoted as an adaptation of Jane Austen’s Emma, we all can see that Clueless has a lot parallels with that work. What parallels did you enjoy finding? What change in plot or character did you not enjoy or agree with?
3. Cher, like Emma, experiences some self-discovery and goes through an admirable evolution of character. Which relationship development or change did you enjoy witnessing the most? Do you like Cher more or less than Emma Woodhouse?
4. What is your favorite moment in this movie? What do you love most about Clueless?
5. What is one of your favorite words, quotes, or Cher-ism from this movie?
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And I couldn’t resist sharing these would-be social media posts from Cher if she lived today! I think they are hilarious, don’t you? There is a twitter account – @ModernClueless that you might want to follow for some good laughs!
LOLZZZ! Thanks for participating in all our Clueless Celebration fun my friends! Hope you enjoyed all our posts!
I’m audi! 🙂
Just got home from babysitting – didn’t encounter as much traffic as I expected for the Pope’s visit. But now off to church. But i have to say the whole “Christian” thing was part of what I liked about the modern adaptation…funny! Cher is just so clueless! TTYL
I agree, Sheila! Cher misses quite a few hints about his sexuality. It was a clever update of Frank Churchill, definitely made him more likable. Frank is kind of a rat for what he did to Jane!
Hi, just returned from my girlie weekend at Bamburgh and so glad you all had a great time x
Thank you, Michelle! Hope you had a a fantastic time with your friends!
1. I’ve watched this a ga-zillion times. I don’t have to think or ponder some great scheme or intense drama when I watch it. It’s pure enjoyment for me.
2. Emma/Harriet and Cher//Tai. Disagree? (My head is tilted to the side as I think on this.) Nope! Can’t think of anything.
3. As a mother, I completely enjoyed watching Cher get a clue. I certainly enjoyed this more than the Gwyneth Paltrow version of Emma, but the Romela Garai version is so magnificently different that I think it would be like comparing apples and oranges. Not possible.
4. I think my favorite moment, the one that makes me laugh every time, is when they accidently drive on the freeway. Of course, I also like her picking out an outfit just to take her drivers test. I like the innocence and the lack of malicious intent of Cher. Bravo!
5. I don’t think it’s my favorite, but I found myself saying “whatever” in that sharp sarcastic tone after the movie. I had to force myself to get rid of it. It still crops up though, even after all this time.
I think that is what I like most about Cher too, Joy! Mistakes are made, but they are innocently done. And she doesn’t brush off any regret or remorse she feels, she tries to make things better. Oh, that driving on the freeway scene…loved it!
1. This was probably like my 50th time watching this film (not even kidding), but it always is just as good! I was 4 years old when this film came out so I obviously did not see it back then, but when I was about 8 or 9 years old I saw it for the first time (my parents were never really super cautious of what I watched, and I think I watched this at a friend’s house anyway. Yeah, it does have some sexual comments, but I don’t think those harmed me in anyway)
2. Obviously Josh, who is so much like Knightley, just in a modern setting. I love how he is kind and caring, but also has a sense of humor. Cher is also an interesting modernization of Emma and I love the character development she goes through during the film.
3. I have to mention Josh here again, because I just love him so damn much. I have never really disliked Emma, so I don’t dislike Cher either. If there would have been a girl like Cher in my high school, I probably would have found her to be hilarious with her worries of popularity etc. but I don’t think I would have disliked her.
4. My favorite moment in the film is when Cher is going on a date with Christian and she comes down the stairs and the camera moves to a close-up of Josh’s expression. With just that one look, Paul Rudd is able to convey so much about Josh’s feelings and that scene always makes me manage to fan girl. In general, I love Clueless for its parade of 90s references, witty one-liners, perfect cast and Paul Rudd.
5. I love Christian’s “Hagsville” one-liner and Cher’s “I’m not a prude, I’m just highly selective”. And then of course “OK, so he’s kind of a baldwin”.
Wow! That’s awesome that you’ve watched Clueless so many times and love it so much! Oh yes! That look Josh gave…great acting by Paul Rudd! And yes, appreciating the many one-liners was definitely something new I enjoyed with this viewing.
I had a lovely time rewatching Clueless with everyone and much thanks to Meredith(and congrats on your blog anniversary!) for setting this up. I happen to be rereading Emma at the moment,due to working on a review of a special edition coming out this week, and the connections between the book and this modern take on it showed up a lot stronger for me here.
For example, Dionne is the Isabella Knightley of the story, with her established relationship with Murray(who does a very John Knightley thing in informing Cher of Christian’s true romantic interests) and her fussing at her boyfriend as well.
When Tai gets her mild head injury,via a tossed shoe, at the party that attracts Elton’s attention, it’s a tie in to a scene in Emma where Harriet is given alone time with Mr. Elton when Emma has to mend a broken boot lace.
In a cute reversal, it’s Cher who is overly concerned about her father’s health and fusses over his food. In this version, he’s more of a workaholic which helps to connect him better with Josh(one of the best incarnations of Mr. Knightley).
For my favorite scene, I’d have to say that I adore Cher’s debates in class. Despite her tangents, she’s much more articulate and well meaning than most of the folks we have running for office these days:)
I look forward to the next group watch but still torn between Lost In Austen and You’ve Got Mail. I’m good with either one yet if another Austen themed film is chosen, I’m still down for it. Thanks again!
So glad you could join us, Lady T! That’s great that your reading of Emma tied in so nicely to this viewing! Great point about Dionne and Murray…I sometimes forget that they are the John Knightleys…I guess that is partly because Murray is so likable, and John Knightley is not! That was a great point you made about how the concern over health was coming more from Cher than her father! We will definitely do this again! I’d be fine with either movie option! 😉
1. Clueless is a classic with a unique and appealing story line which attracted me instantly. The lingo and the fashion which was intriguing and special was a winner since no movie has that affect upon me. I loved everything about this film, the acting, the great moments and the entertainment.
4. My favorite moment was the driving lesson which was amusing and typical.
5. Clueless defined a culture and a time so well and the actors portrayed the characters beautifully. This film is nostalgic and unforgettable.
Very true, Anne! The fashions, lingo, and situations were very iconic for the 90’s. It seems like the movie does a lovely job of memorializing that time! Glad you enjoy it so much!
I loved watching the movie with all of you! I saw it a long time ago with my daughter, but this time I was able to “get” a lot of things I didn’t the first time, like Josh liking her, not her friend, Christian being gay and Tai being a better match with the skater.
But what I liked best was her realizing that, though different, all the people around her had something good going on for them.
Yay! I’m so glad you could join us! I liked that moment too – instead of wanting to manipulate or solve problems for the people around her, she learned to value and appreciate them for their own special uniqueness.
I didn’t get to watch it with you guys yesterday, but I watched it for the first time earlier this year b/c it is Emma’s big birthday year. 🙂
I noticed the parallels to Emma, but I liked that they were more laid back and didn’t try too hard. Just enough flavor. The story is light-hearted and carefree. I liked how the characters were. I do enjoy Cher more than the original Emma.
It was neat that you put this Clueless celebration together. Very fun!
Nice! Glad you got to experience the awesomeness that is Clueless! Very true about the parallels being subtle and more effortless. It helped make the story accessible to our modern audiences. Cher is very harmless with her misguided notions and blindness. Quite endearing.
1. I saw the film a long time ago, probably not long after it came out, and was very impressed with it then. I know a lot of people struggle with ‘Emma’ but I always had a lot of time for her, because she meant well. It wasn’t her fault she had the upbringing she did, which made her into this person who felt she knew best. What she does to Harriet wasn’t fair, in the way of ‘My Fair Lady’, she tries to give her ideas above her station, but she doesn’t do it out of malice. I thought the film picked up on the essence of Emma really well, and made Cher quite loveable. We can see that she means well, and that her spoiled upbringing and her social setting has made her into the person she is.
What was odd about seeing it after such a long time is that the 90s fashions were so distracting! I had to stop myself reminiscing about my teen years!
2. I didn’t realise that it wasn’t promoted as an adaptation of Emma! It is so close! I enjoyed that social class was swapped for popularity, which works very well in a modern, high-school setting. I liked that Christian never crosses the line of leading Cher on, unlike Frank Churchill. Tai was a bit meaner than Harriet, and easier to dislike when she got mean. I wasn’t keen on the drug usage, as the characters are so young. I liked that you could see that Josh was interested in her. It was around the same time in the film as in the book but since you could see it rather than infer it it’s a little more noticeable in the film, but I liked that it was the same time. I love that it’s called Clueless, because Emma is genuinely clueless, it’s a word that sums her up perfectly.
3. I think Cher is more likeable generally, she’s very sweet and has very good intentions. However, ever since my first read of Emma I always had a soft spot for her so I like them equally.
4. I think my favourite part is when she needs to think about why she doesn’t want Tai and Josh to get together so she goes shopping and then has her lightbulb moment with a fountain lighting up behind her. Clueless is such a fun film, and it highlights all the comic moments in Emma. There is quite a bit to laugh at in Emma, and indeed in all Austen.
5. There are so many good lines in this film, it’s really hard to choose just one. Anything that made me laugh, e.g. when checking Tai for concussion – “Ask her a question.” “What’s 7 x 7?” “Something she knows.”, or with Josh’s highbrow girlfriend “I think I remember Hamlet accurately.” “Well I remember Mel Gibson accurately and Hamlet didn’t say that.”
The lines that make me think of Cher? “As if!” and “Whatever!”
Thanks again for arranging this Meredith, I really enjoyed watching Clueless with all of you.
LOL! I love your favorite lines from the film! 🙂 I’m so glad you were able to join us, Ceri! Seeing this movie with such lovely friends and sharing laughs is something I’ll fondly remember with all future viewings! Oh yes…there will be future viewings! 😉 It is funny how you are distracted by the fashions…I find myself distracted by knowing the actors and actresses other works. When I see Donald Faison I think Turk! I love Turk! Paul Rudd – Phoebe’s boyfriend in Friends or Antman! 😉
I have seen this movie so many times I have lost count! I love it and it always makes me happy! Each time I have a different favorite scene. During this viewing I really loved Cher’s reaction to seeing Tai hurt Travis when she is so rude during school lunch. I like seeing Cher’s moment of recognition when she realizes how wrong she has been. This is one of my favorite elements of all of Jane Austen’s books- the characters grow and learn about themselves throughout the story. I think Alicia Silverstone is just perfect in this role and probably enjoy this version better than the Gweneth version (just because I am not a big GP fan).
A favorite line– AS IF i could even pick one. But partying with the Hataians is always a good one!!
Thanks for the fun!
That’s awesome, joy! It cannot help but make you happy! I love your favorite moments and think those were both well-scripted and well-acted. Jane Austen definitely gave us plenty of admirable life lessons to learn and follow.
LOL! Yes – totally fine they didn’t RSVP!
I just adore Cher! I would pick her to go to lunch with over Emma. This movie was fun and fresh, and it has stood up to the test of time. Until this ‘re-watch, I had forgotten about just how much plaid they wear!
LOL! Yes there is plenty of plaid! Glad you enjoyed our celebration of all things Clueless!
I don’t remember when I first watched this movie but I do know that it was on TV and because I had heard that it was a take-off of Emma. I found a lot of humor and many similarities to the book. Emma is not my favorite character due to her many manipulations and her rather lazy approach to learning, i.e., her reading list, her piano playing…in the book. IN the movie, Clueless she does try to take care of her father but is so DUMB and lazy about learning to drive, Christian’s orientation.
2.) There are just so many parallels and many have been pointed out. The biggest for me were her cluelessness about matching up Tai and Travis (?) and then even for herself.
3.) It’s a tie for me as to which young lady I like the most. The redeeming factor is that they both do collect or take food items to people in need, take care of their fathers and care for people not on the same social level as they are.
4.) I really like the look on Paul Rudd’s/Josh’s face when Cher comes down dressed for her date. But there are other good scenes. That moment reminded me of Colin Firth’s watching Elizabeth with Georgiana at the piano after Caroline’s remark about Wickham.
5.) I can’t say that any one line stands out for me. There are many in that film that really are dated for the time and culture when it was screened. As a person so much older I, at times, had to really guess at what was meant.
Good point about Emma/Cher being lazy and not good at follow-through. And yes! There is both take care of others less fortunate which is very admirable.
I’m glad you were able to join our discussion, Sheila! I didn’t know what to expect with Ant-Man…I’ve seen all the Marvel movies, but I was skeptical about how being shrunk down to the size of an ant could prove useful in many super hero situations. Like you I enjoyed it a lot and I thought Paul Rudd was just so cool! He seems like he would be that kind of goofball in real life. 😉
BTW: I saw Paul Rudd as “Ant-man”….my son-in-law is so into the comic book heroes that i have to follow them to keep up, i.e., The Arrow, Flash, Agents from S.H.I.E.L.D., Guardians of the Universe, Thor, etc. And I do enjoy them. Ant-man was better than I thought it would be, believe it or not.