Clueless 1995

In the sun-kissed world of Beverly Hills, 15-year-old Cher Horowitz (Alicia Silverstone) reigns supreme as a wealthy and popular teenager. With her widowed father Mel (Dan Hedaya), a successful lawyer, providing for all her material desires, Cher is blissfully unaware of the superficiality that surrounds her. Her best friend Dionne (Stacey Dash) shares her affinity for luxury and social status, but their friendship is tested when Dionne’s relationship with Murray (Donald Faison), a high school boy, becomes a subject of ridicule among Cher’s peer group.

The dynamics at home take an unexpected turn when Cher’s debate teacher, Mr. Hall (Wallace Shawn), hands her a C grade for the semester. Feeling threatened by his harsh assessment, Cher concocts a plan with Dionne to find a romantic interest for him, which they believe will lead to improved grades. Their attention turns to Miss Geist (Twink Caplan), another teacher, and they orchestrate a fake love letter and subtle manipulation to bring the two together. As Mr. Hall and Miss Geist’s relationship blossoms, they become more lenient with their grading, allowing Cher’s grade to climb to an impressive A minus, much to her father’s delight.

In the midst of these events, Cher crosses paths with Josh (Paul Rudd), the college-age son of one of Mel’s ex-wives. A free-spirited environmentalist, Josh is a polar opposite to Cher’s materialistic nature. The two engage in a series of witty banter and intellectual debates, with Cher poking fun at Josh’s alternative lifestyle and Josh criticizing her superficiality. Mel openly approves of Josh’s confidence and focus, urging Cher to find similar direction in her life.

The arrival of Tai Frasier (Brittany Murphy), a quirky artist with a trusting disposition and a lack of understanding about high school social dynamics, shakes things up. Cher and Dionne take it upon themselves to give Tai a makeover, attempting to elevate her social standing by introducing her to the world of luxury and popularity. However, Tai’s newfound confidence sparks a romance with Travis Birkenstock (Breckin Meyer), a cheerful skateboarding stoner. Fearing for Tai’s reputation, Cher tries to steer her toward the rich and popular Elton (Jeremy Sisto). As part of her efforts to transform Tai, Cher leads her in after-school workout sessions, guides her in cultivating a new wardrobe, and broadens her vocabulary with trendy terminology. Josh disapproves of Cher’s project with Tai, accusing her of trying to turn an innocent girl into a superficial clone, but Cher insists she is doing Tai a kindness.

As Cher masterfully orchestrates the perfect matchmaking scenario, she brings Tai and Elton together in a harmonious blend of chance encounters and strategic maneuvers. With Tai beaming with excitement, Elton surprisingly reciprocates her enthusiasm, but his attention remains firmly focused on Cher herself. To present their newly transformed friend to the high school elite, Cher and Dionne arrange an exclusive soiree, where they skillfully guide Tai toward Elton once more. However, when Tai takes a sudden tumble after being knocked unconscious by a stray shoe, Elton rushes to her aid with an ice pack, revealing his true intentions - he had never been interested in Tai at all. Cher’s shock and disgust are palpable as Elton makes a pass at her, only to abandon her in a deserted parking lot far from home. As she finds herself suddenly mugged, Cher is forced to seek help from Josh via a payphone, leading to a serendipitous encounter that will forever alter their relationship.

Meanwhile, the arrival of Christian (Justin Walker), a charismatic and suave new student, captures Cher’s attention immediately. She begins to reevaluate her long-standing rule against dating high school students, as she finds herself drawn to his laid-back, sophisticated demeanor. As Cher and Christian form a strong bond, they plan to attend an exclusive party together, with Tai in tow. When Christian arrives at Cher’s doorstep to collect her for the night, Mel and Josh are left unimpressed by his relaxed, jazz-influenced persona. Josh, however, becomes increasingly jealous of Christian’s easy charm, revealing his true feelings to Mel.

As the trio heads out to the party, Cher is delighted by Josh’s thoughtful gesture - dancing with Tai to help her feel more at ease in a sea of unfamiliar faces. This unexpected display of kindness and empathy catches Cher off guard, leaving her pleasantly surprised by Josh’s genuine concern for their friend.

As Cher (Cher) takes the initiative to move forward with Christian, she invites him over one evening when her father is out, hoping to ignite a romantic spark. However, Christian’s priorities lie elsewhere, as he becomes engrossed in Tony Curtis movies, leaving Cher feeling disappointed and unfulfilled. The next day, while driving with Dionne (Dionne) and her boyfriend Murray (Murray), Cher confides in them about Christian’s lack of sexual interest, only to be met with amused reactions from both parties. Murray’s observation that Christian is clearly gay leaves Cher feeling embarrassed and misconstrued about their relationship. In a sudden change of heart, she decides to abandon her romantic pursuits and instead focus on maintaining their genuine friendship.

Meanwhile, Tai (Tai) experiences a terrifying ordeal when some male acquaintances nearly drop her over the railing at the mall while hanging out with Cher and Christian. Christian’s swift intervention and comforting presence help ease Tai’s distress, but the incident has far-reaching consequences. News of the dramatic event spreads like wildfire throughout school, catapulting Tai to newfound popularity and transforming her into a shallow, snobbish version of herself. Cher watches in dismay as Tai becomes increasingly consumed by her new status, rebuffing Travis (Travis) in favor of a more popular entourage.

As Cher prepares for her driving test, she finds it challenging to focus due to the shift in her friendship with Tai. Her subsequent failure to pass the test leaves her feeling dejected and lost. Returning home, she discovers Tai and Josh (Josh) engaged in a flirtatious game of hacky sack, which further exacerbates her emotional state. In a private conversation, Tai reveals that she has overcome her disappointment about Elton due to her newfound infatuation with Josh. Cher is taken aback by the discomfort she feels in response to this news and advises Tai that Josh is not a good match for her. Tai takes offense to Cher’s words, insults her, and departs. Seeking solace, Cher embarks on a solo shopping trip, where she ultimately realizes that she herself has developed feelings for Josh.

As Cher’s emotional guard begins to falter, she seeks out her father’s wisdom, confiding in him about her aspirations for a more altruistic lifestyle. Though not revealing Josh as her intended love interest, she confesses her fears that her self-absorbed nature may be insurmountable barriers to gaining his approval. Mel, with the gentle touch of a seasoned guide, reassures Cher that she embodies the very qualities her late mother exemplified – a boundless capacity for kindness and generosity towards those around her. Empowered by this revelation, Cher determines to expand her compassionate scope, embracing a newfound sense of purpose.

In the aftermath of their earlier rift, Tai tentatively extends an olive branch, rekindling the friendship between the two. As they watch Travis demonstrate his impressive skateboarding skills at a local competition, and learn that he has successfully overcome his addiction, Cher’s perception of him shifts dramatically. She is heartened when Josh and she witness Travis and Tai’s reconciliation, solidifying her conviction that he is worthy of love. In an effort to impress Josh, Cher takes on the noble task of assisting Miss Geist in organizing a charity drive for those affected by the devastating Pismo Beach disaster. Josh’s appreciative gaze falls upon her as she works tirelessly, and Cher herself experiences an unexpected sense of fulfillment from this selfless endeavor. As they labor alongside Mel and his colleagues to process crucial documents, Cher and Josh grow closer, their bond strengthened by shared moments of stress and triumph.

During one particularly trying moment at the Hall-Geist residence, it becomes apparent that Cher’s efforts in organizing papers have inadvertently caused chaos, earning her a scathing rebuke from an overwhelmed lawyer. Crushed by the harsh words, Cher finds solace in Josh’s gentle defense and comfort, ultimately leading them to reveal their true feelings for one another.

At the nuptials of Mr. Hall and Miss Geist, the assembled students – including Cher (accompanied by Josh), Dionne, Murray, Tai, and Travis – mingle as they await the bride’s bouquet toss. The ensuing melee unfolds with the boys watching in amusement, until Cher emerges victorious, bouquet in hand, surrounded by her friends and the joyous celebration of their shared relationships.