Clueless (film)

I think that Clueless is actually very similar to Emma for many reasons. Although there are a few differences, I think they make the film more exciting. If it weren’t for the completely different setting, it wouldn’t stand out from the other adaptations of Emma and it would lose much of its appeal. Both Cher and Emma are attractive, intelligent and wealthy young women whose mothers have died. Although Emma is older than Cher and has more grown-up challenges to face, they are similar in that neither can resist meddling in others’ love lives. 

As well as this, Emma takes Harriet Smith under her wing, determined to find her a husband. Although Harriet had been interested in Robert Martin, Emma encourages her to pursue the local vicar named Philip Elton. Similarly, Cher decides to give Tai Frasier a makeover and encourages her to date a popular boy called Elton Tisica rather than the skateboarder who has caught her eye. It’s also worth noting the glaring similarity between the names Elton Tisica and Philip Elton. These are two very similar characters, both in their roles in the development of the plot and in their personalities. 

The love interests of Emma and Cher also share similarities. In Emma, George is opposed to Emma’s worrying matchmaking attempts and in Clueless, so is Josh. Other possible romantic interests also enter both stories: Frank Churchill in Emma and Christian Stovitz in Clueless. However, both men have a secret. Mr. Churchill is secretly engaged, whereas Christian is gay.

Another similarity is that in Clueless, Josh dances with Tai at a party, having seen her standing by herself, while George dances with Harriet in Emma, after the vicar rejected her. In the story, the vicar, Mr. Elton, also offers to frame Emma’s painting of Harriet. Similarly, Elton from Clueless hangs a photo of Tai, taken by Cher, in his locker. As well as this, both Eltons end up with ostentatious and disliked women. Moreover, both stories end on a similar note, after Cher and Emma have undergone personal growth and found love. For these reasons, I think it is clear that Clueless has honoured many of the details of Jane Austen’s Emma. The film has brought the classic novel to life with a similar satirical tone, which is why I think it is an ingenious adaptation of the story.