FILM

Clueless

directed by Amy Heckerling

produced by Paramount Pictures

starring Alicia Silverstone

Welcome to the world of Cher and Dionne, "both named for great singers of the past who now do infomercials." It's the world of Clueless, the surprise comedy hit of the summer, in which Cher (Alicia Silverstone) and Dionne (Stacey Dash) have Beverly Hills High School wrapped around their perfectly manicured little fingers.

Clueless opened a few weeks ago as the most popular new movie in America, which is completely in character for the movie's cast of impossibly hip teenagers who spend their lives on cellular phones and in a perpetual race to see who has the latest designer outfit. All the attention is well warranted--Clueless will have you laughing out loud through every misadventure of Cher's life.

Cher decides she needs to get involved with a public service project. So she grabs Dionne, and goes to work on making a new transfer student, Tai (played by Brittany Murphy), the newest member of the popular crowd, much to the amusement of ex-step-brother Josh (played by Paul Rudd).

After a head-to-toe makeover, Tai is a hit. In fact, "Cher's project" might even be a little too successful for her own liking.

Clueless will take you on a hilarious trip as Cher tries to arrange a match between Tai and high school-stud Elton; attempts to catch the attention of a Jason Priestly look-alike, Christian, by sending herself flowers and candy; has several brushes with death during her driving test; and--horror of horrors--ruins a few Calvin Klein originals.

Silverstone was handpicked by director/screenwriter Amy Heckerling to play Cher, after Heckerling saw her perform in several Aerosmith videos--one of which required her to bungee-jump off a bridge. Silverstone also starred in The Crush with Cary Elwes. Looking like a young Meg Ryan, Silverstone performs perfectly as Cher, right down to every hint of a smile and wave of her hand.

Dash and Murphy turn in terrific performances as Cher's rich, beautiful and popular sidekicks, bringing this very funny story of high school hell to life. Dash was last seen in Penny Marshalls's Renaissance Man and also had a role in the movie Mo' Money, while Murphy can be seen in the TV series Sister, Sister.

Also noteworthy is Rudd, who is so endearing as the nerdy but lovable Josh, that he helps transform Clueless from being just a silly no-brainer, to a teen romantic comedy that you won't be able to help falling in love with. Rudd has a recurring role on the TV series Sisters.

Clueless, with plenty of outrageous exaggeration, will bring back some very real memories of what it was like to try and make it in the high school social scene, and catch the attention of that special someone.

Think you're too smart for this one? As if. Be Clueless for awhile, and find out why high school virgins now prefer to be called "hymenally challenged," and why your driving instructor is "the absolute Messiah of the DMV."