Blast From The Past: Clueless (1995)

(Photos: Paramount)

It's been 20 years since Amy Heckerling's Clueless (1995) first released but the film still resonates with the audience that initially saw it and anyone who might see it again today (ie. Iggy Azalea's homage to the film in her video for Fancy). Based on Jane Austen's classic novel Emma (1815) about a meddlesome young girl with a heart of gold, Clueless transported the iconic material to a Beverly Hills high school. Featuring Alicia Silverstone in her first leading role, the film also starred Paul Rudd (Hey, there Ant-Man), Donald Faison, Jeremy Sisto, Stacey Dash and the late Brittany Murphy (Girl, Interrupted). Clueless made them all breakout stars that summer of 1995.

The film's teen terminology became instantly quotable, every girl wanted Cher's wardrobe and the soundtrack perfectly reflected was what was popular in the 90s - from Beastie Boys, Radiohead, Coolio, Counting Crows to The Muffs. Based on small budget of $12-13 million, Clueless grossed around $56 million domestically and opened No. 1 at the box office. Not bad for a film that was initially pitched as a television show. The success of the film lead to a spinoff TV series which launched on ABC and finished out the next two seasons on UPN. Most of the cast with the notable exceptions of rising stars Alicia Silverstone and Paul Rudd reprised their roles in the series.

 

If you're a diehard fan of this lovable cult classic, then you must check out the new book released just in time for the film's 20th anniversary, As If!: The Oral History of Clueless by Jen Chaney. There you'll find notable nuggets of information on casting (Reese Witherspoon and Angelina Jolie were considered for the role of Cher, Ben Affleck read for the part of Josh which eventually went to Paul Rudd), how Heckerling came up with Cher and Dionne's lingo and how hard the everyone worked behind the scenes to make this little film a reality.

(Photo: Paramount)

Personally, the film just works on so many levels, it's a clever reflection of the social strata, an accurate look at the lives of teenagers and it also happens to be so darn funny. Plus, Clueless introduced us to the adorable Paul Rudd, who looks about the same now as he did in 1995. Silverstone's Cher is a heroine for the ages, self-deprecating yet endearing with her heart in the right place. Which is why, 20 years later, we still love her.

The Return of Sidney Fife and Peter Klaven: BFF!

Look what I found!

Jason Segel & Paul Rudd Meet Rush from Jason Segel

How hilarious was this? And I'm sure I speak for all the comedy fans out there when I say, it's time for a sequel for I Love You, Man.

Totes McGotes. That is all.

Casting News Roundups

• It's a big one this time!  In the morning, when I first I read it, I got excited but thought, well, it's just at a rumor stage at this point.  But no, all day long, more and more news outlets were picking up the story and when I finally saw it confirmed through a press release on IMDB and Variety, I was practically giddy.  What is it?  Sacha Baron Cohen (Borat, Ali G) will play Freddy Mercury in the new biopic on his life.  Peter Morgan (The Last King of Scotland, The Queen) is writing the screenplay which will go into production in 2011.  Aww, I want this movie tomorrow.  Great move by Cohen.  Biopics are awards gold for most actors, could we be seeing Sacha Baron Cohen up on the podium for this?  
• They last starred together in The Object of My Affection and it was a big hit.  Hoping to duplicate the success, Paul Rudd and Jennifer Aniston are a couple in Wanderlust who only want to escape the city life and try something new.  Malin Akerman (Watchmen, 27 Dresses) is the latest to join the cast.
• Yet another movie for Jason Bateman, I'm happy for him but when is the Arrested Development movie being filmed?  For now, no Michael Bluth but we can watch him play a married man who trades bodies with his lazy best friend, Ryan Reynolds in The Change-Up.  Olivia Wilde (Tron Legacy) is the female lead.  ETA: They are now announcing that Leslie Mann (17 Again) is starring opposite Bateman and Reynolds.  What's up with the change? Is Olivia in or not of the movie?  No answers released yet.