We are totally butt-crazy in love with Clueless. Since the movie’s premiere in 1995, pop culture has mined Amy Heckerling’s high school comedy for inspiration, from Iggy Azalea and Charli XCX’s “Fancy” music video to Cher’s iconic yellow plaid suit appearing at every Halloween party.
In Ugh As If!, Veronica Litt argues that this seemingly fluffy teen romp is the quintessential thinking woman’s movie, one in which the audience is asked to seriously consider the beauty and power of naïveté. Cher Horowitz’s gradual pivot from oblivious it girl to burgeoning activist is a powerful reminder that even the most unlikely people can change for the better and contribute to their communities. In this bright, shiny film, pursuing a more just society isn’t just possible — it’s enjoyable. This fun, feminine, feel-good movie is a counter-narrative to nihilism, a refusal to give into cynicism, hopelessness, and passivity. Almost without viewers noticing, Clueless teaches Cher, and us, how to become better. Like the film it examines, Ugh As If! nudges even the most jaded viewer into feeling hopeful about the future.
⤖ My Review ⬻
Ugh! As If!: Clueless by Veronica Litt was a really fun and engaging read for me. I’ve only seen Clueless once (this year before picking up this essay in fact), so I enjoyed reading about things (like themes or hidden meanings) since the movie was so fresh in my mind (and also new to me).
The writing was welcoming and conversational which I liked. It never felt academic or dry, and instead felt more like having a thoughtful chat with someone who really loves the movie and wants to dig a little deeper. The writing kept me engaged and I finished the book in record time. Definitely recommend Ugh! As If!: Clueless to those who want to take a deeper dive into the movie (whether you’ve seen it once, a lot of times, or are interested in watching it soon).
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⤖ Let's Chat ⬻
Thank you for reading my review! Have you read this book? What did you think? And if you haven’t read it yet, do you plan to? Let me know in the comments!
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