ou ask "Another article on Clueless? It was bad enough the Journal decided to write yet more text
on that movie Kids. But Clueless again??" I hear the whine, I see the wince, I understand your
pain. However, this article will attempt to perhaps shed new light on these recent movies. You may
be questioning the timeliness of such a topic considering both of these movies were released this
past summer. Cinestudio, Trinity's student-run movie house, presented a double feature of Kids
and Clueless last Friday and Saturday.
Clueless, from the director of Fast Times at Rigdemont High, follows suit in again creating a
parody of teenage life. Essentially, Clueless can be considered just that, a parody. The children that
are featured run around in their Jeeps and Saabs (sound familiar Trinity?), whining to Mommy and
Daddy about not having enough clothes, and gabbing away on their cellular phones. Is this reality?
The resounding answer would most likely be No. Of course, many of us realize that their may be
actual individuals who exist in world that closely relates to Cher's world. But for a majority this
simply isn't so. As Molly pointed out in her article about Kids, while certainly these are movies
about some aspect of teenage life, the aspects chosen are extremely specific. So when the public
masses views this type of media, individuals cannot relate to its content. Ultimately, you get the
reaction of disgust, contempt, and general resentment. Many felt as though these movies were a
commentary on our lifestyles to an older generation that cannot understand what our lives are
about. Thus, Larry Clark's reaction to the opinions about his movie Kids was confusion. He could
not understand why the public was so negative. He expressed the view that this was simply a
movie, not a commentary or message to a generation.
Again, Clueless has similar consequences. Not many could connect to the lifestyle presented.
Fortunately for Clueless, the movie is presented as humor, saving face for the possible underlying
social commentary. The message portrayed suggests that many of today's teenagers are superficial,
selfish, and have little concern for the outside world. Though, Cher does end up helping a natural
disaster cause, she continues in her trend following, clique setting ways. Kids says the same thing,
they care of nothing.
The reason why so many of us have a problem with these movies, though entertaining in their own
right, is because we resent the stereotypes they each perpetuate about our generation. Many teens
are active members in communities, contributing to many organizations, maintaining a decent grade
point average, or holding down a steady job. Not every one is a drug-induced, clothes-obsessed,
sex-crazed (okay, maybe) maniac. Continually, each young generation is fighting to dismantle a
archetype that portrays a unwanted and insulting personality. While i and Clueless have redeeming
qualities from an entertainment standpoint, the movies should not be an actual observation for older
generations to interpret from.
