Acceptance and empowerment: a recurring theme often found today’s movies, tv shows, and music. A theme also found in the 1995 hit RomCom “Clueless” starring Alicia Silverstone, Stacey Dash, and Brittany Murphy. The plot revolves around Cher and Dionne, the ultimate superficial rich kids, and Tai, the stereotypical transfer student who has no idea what mascara is. But the storyline doesn’t end there, as the story moves along we watch all three young women grow, we watch them discover that being yourself is okay and making yourself over for a guy doesn’t necessarily mean happiness in the end. A message women of every generation– especially the generations to come, should keep in their hearts and heads.
We’re going to start with Cherilyn Horowitz, otherwise known as Cher. We’re first introduced to Cher in her environment, the mani-pedis, the big white jeep full of friends, and the rich father. From the get go most of the audience will assume that she’s a spoilt, materialistic brat. And that may be half true, but no matter how much of an airhead Cher may be, she sticks her ground throughout the movie. Cher is a special character, through the writing, and cinematography we step into Cher’s world and relate to her, and grow with her as she realizes Daddy’s money won’t get her the important things in life. As we explore Cher’s world, we meet the ‘bozo ex-stepbrother’ (yes those exist) Josh, who is the absolute opposite of Cher, but somehow helps her discover herself and in the end falls in love with her.
Of course, Cher’s journey to self discovery would not be possible without the help of Dionne and Tai. Dionne, Cher’s best girl friend, biggest critic, as well as her biggest supporter. And Tai, the naive new girl, also known as a prime example of “The Ugly Duckling.” Tai is the spark that causes Cher’s rise, downfall, and rise up once again by the end of the movie. Tai becomes Cher’s guinea pig and completely transforms her from head to toe. Unfortunately this doesn’t turn out too well for Cher, considering Tai becomes the new Cher. But don’t fret, in the end this becomes Cher’s turning point, after she hits rock bottom of course.
At this point, Cher no longer has Tai to control, meaning she must take control of her life. And ‘DING’ the light goes off in her head. Cher realizes the way she ill treats people may just be one of the factors of her downfall, and maybe she should change her ways. We see Cher, come to the realization that lacking self-acceptance is doing nothing good for her. Changing Tai for the worst is not doing any good, and maybe… just maybe she should’ve let Tai live the way she wants to. I know one things for sure, when I reached the end of the movie I never wanted to experience whatever Cher did.
Moral of the story is, through Cher Horowitz’s struggles and journey partially shaped me into the feminist I am today. Cher Horowitz taught me I could be a bad ass, true to myself, and fabulous all at the same time.
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