The 1995 movie Clueless is a classic teen comedy, that still remains relevant twenty years later, regardless of all of its 90’s pop culture references. The main character, Cher, portrayed by Alicia Silverstone is widely remembered today for her very plaid (but nonetheless perfect) style choices, steamy, jealously – inducing kiss with Paul Rudd and catchphrase ‘as if!’ What she’s less well known as is a feminist icon. Here are the top six reasons why this beloved character should be celebrated as a feminist (you can use them as arguments to convince your women’s studies professor to let you re-watch the movie in class!)
1. She’s confident making decisions about her body (and doesn’t let anyone tell her otherwise!)
Arguably the most remembered line in the movie is ‘you’re a virgin who can’t drive!’ (said by Tai to Cher). Cher accepts this title, and would rather hold onto her virginity until she is comfortable – instead of subsiding to peer pressure. Instead of feeling ashamed, she knows that everyone is entitled to their own decisions about their bodies, which they do not need to justify to others.
2. She doesn’t try to compete with other women
Cher celebrates her friend’s achievements, and helps them in any way that she can. In a lot of teen comedies, the central plot revolves around a catty girl fight, and there is usually an overall theme of women backstabbing and fighting with each other (generally over boys!) Clueless is refreshing because it celebrates the ‘girl power’ – esque bond that Cher and her friends share, instead of portraying women as manipulative and overdramatic. Cher helps to ‘reinvent’ her friend Tai, without any apparent benefit for herself, as she simply wants to see her friend successful and happy. She sees Tai as a friend, not as someone that she needs to be in competition with. Its great to see women building each other up, instead of constantly tearing each other down.
3. She’s determine to reach her goals
Academically, Cher isn’t afraid to reach for her goals, and will defend herself to do so. It is an ongoing joke in the plot between Cher and her father that she is able to use her negotiating skills to turn her C’s into As. Sadly, studies show that most adult, working women are afraid to ask their employers for a raise, so it is outstanding to see a character set the example and be so assertive. Instead of worrying about whether or not she will come across as too demanding, Cher is more focuses more on her own personal well being, as opposed to worrying about what others think of her.
4. She’s not shy about her period
Cher is open about her period – and talks about it (and how it has affected her inability to be on time for school) openly in front of her entire class. Unlike the way that most of the media portrays female menstruation – by pretending that it either doesn’t exist or using it as an excuse for any women’s ‘irrational’ behaviour, Clueless’ Cher is open about a perfectly natural part of the human body, and is not ashamed – as she knows that it happens to all women (because making something that happens to approximately half the population a taboo is ridiculous!)
5. She doesn’t let anyone take advantage of her
Cher isn’t exactly subtle when someone is acting in an offensive way towards her. I love her fierce attitude towards unwanted – and plainly rude behaviour. She proves that if anyone is rude enough to touch, grope or grab you without your permission, you have every right to shove them right off. Consent is definitely something Cher fights for – and we wouldn’t have it any other way!
6. She’s completely unapologetic
No matter what Cher is doing, she never feels the need to justify her actions to anyone, nor does she let others pressure her to conform to the stereotypes that they want her to. She proves that she is versatile, and doesn’t let herself be boxed into any one particular stereotype. She can be power shopping in the morning, giving her teacher a makeover in the afternoon, and helping her lawyer father with his cases at night, while still maintaining amazing friendships, good grades, and an even better blowout. She never feels the need to apologize for not doing what people expect of her – she knows how to tell off the boys who continue to make unwanted advances, her father’s work partner who assumes her blonde hair means she must be stupid, or to Tai, who tries to use her virginity and inability to drive as an insult. The best part is, is that she does it all in an unapologetic, confident way to let everyone know that she is in charge of her own life and future, and won’t let anybody stand in her way.
ALL HAIL QUEEN CHER!