Clueless (1995)

What makes satire effective? It's always like a double-headed beast.

Social effect of satire films was what we were discussing in class last night. No doubt intentional satire can be a voice of social critique. But how much do audience get out of it is another matter. This film, targeting at teenagers, was a success back in 1995 and is still enjoyed by a lot of us today. What I find so interesting about the film is that it kind of breaks the general rule. To me, there seems to be a boundary between those art films which are satirical and mainstream films, which serve to entertain. This film is ironic, and yet it is full of humor and enjoys immense success in the mainstream market.

I think the interpretation and self-conciousness of audience is the key here. The sun-blessed teens in Beverly Hill of Southern California, the happy ending, the pettiness and foolishness of the characters' consumption ... these are the pleasures offered by the film. Yes we can laugh at the mindlessness of the characters and go back-reflect on the artificiality of consumer culture. But sorry- we still wear make-up, we buy nice tops, hang out at malls and we still see girls going for plastic surgery etc... it seems that you can't be critical when you're compliant, given the fact that you're so much part of the culture! In that sense, the satire only offers a false choice of criticism. However, I do think one can eventually break away from the popular culture if she develops her own self-conciousness, just as Cher's alternation toward the end of the film suggests.

What else can be more pathetic than having a girl who has seen this film leaves the theater, still fussing over how to dress for school the next day? That's the ultimate cluelessness!!!

Well, perhaps that's the satire Heckerling intended.



Clueless(1995)
Amy Heckerling
clueless