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Ugh! As If!: Clueless
A sweet and sly exploration of the Jane Austen–inspired teen movie and its evergreen imperative to be kind, do better, and find the activist within
We are totally butt-crazy in love with Clueless. Since the movie’s premiere in 1995, pop culture has mined Amy Heckerling’s high school comedy for inspiration, from Iggy Azalea and Charli XCX’s “Fancy” music video to Cher’s iconic yellow plaid suit appearing at every Halloween party.
In Ugh As If!, Veronica Litt argues that this seemingly fluffy teen romp is the quintessential thinking woman’s movie, one in which the audience is asked to seriously consider the beauty and power of naïveté. Cher Horowitz’s gradual pivot from oblivious it girl to burgeoning activist is a powerful reminder that even the most unlikely people can change for the better and contribute to their communities. In this bright, shiny film, pursuing a more just society isn’t just possible — it’s enjoyable. This fun, feminine, feel-good movie is a counter-narrative to nihilism, a refusal to give into cynicism, hopelessness, and passivity. Almost without viewers noticing, Clueless teaches Cher, and us, how to become better. Like the film it examines, Ugh As If! nudges even the most jaded viewer into feeling hopeful about the future.
About the Pop Classics Series
Short books that pack a big punch, Pop Classics offer intelligent, fun, and accessible arguments about why a particular pop phenomenon matters.
We are totally butt-crazy in love with Clueless. Since the movie’s premiere in 1995, pop culture has mined Amy Heckerling’s high school comedy for inspiration, from Iggy Azalea and Charli XCX’s “Fancy” music video to Cher’s iconic yellow plaid suit appearing at every Halloween party.
In Ugh As If!, Veronica Litt argues that this seemingly fluffy teen romp is the quintessential thinking woman’s movie, one in which the audience is asked to seriously consider the beauty and power of naïveté. Cher Horowitz’s gradual pivot from oblivious it girl to burgeoning activist is a powerful reminder that even the most unlikely people can change for the better and contribute to their communities. In this bright, shiny film, pursuing a more just society isn’t just possible — it’s enjoyable. This fun, feminine, feel-good movie is a counter-narrative to nihilism, a refusal to give into cynicism, hopelessness, and passivity. Almost without viewers noticing, Clueless teaches Cher, and us, how to become better. Like the film it examines, Ugh As If! nudges even the most jaded viewer into feeling hopeful about the future.
About the Pop Classics Series
Short books that pack a big punch, Pop Classics offer intelligent, fun, and accessible arguments about why a particular pop phenomenon matters.
193 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 3, 2025
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March 16, 2025I don't rate nonfiction.
Clueless is one of my favourite films. The fluffy, brightly coloured feel just epitomises everything I loved about the 90s. And this short read is written from someone who equally has a deep love of Cher, Dionne and co. Veronica Litt does a great job at summing up not only what's so great about the film, but also critiques it's so obvious flaws. I particularly really liked the section of colour blindness, the concept of the Black 'best friend's and the discussion on class. Pretty much everyone knows Clueless is a retelling of Jane Austen's Emma, so yes class plays an important role, but it's the subtlety of Clueless that makes it more nuanced and yet also insidious in its themes. I do think sometimes this critique verged on overkill at times though, as though the author really needed to hammer home that Clueless isn't this brain-dead film. Clueless at it's heart, to me, is a frothy comedy that relies on quick writing and warm characters that feel genuine. Beyond that I don't think there's that much depth to it, however this did make me think about more overarching themes I may have otherwise overlooked.
Really insightful, well written and compact read. Certainly one of the better of this series I've read from ECW press.
Clueless is one of my favourite films. The fluffy, brightly coloured feel just epitomises everything I loved about the 90s. And this short read is written from someone who equally has a deep love of Cher, Dionne and co. Veronica Litt does a great job at summing up not only what's so great about the film, but also critiques it's so obvious flaws. I particularly really liked the section of colour blindness, the concept of the Black 'best friend's and the discussion on class. Pretty much everyone knows Clueless is a retelling of Jane Austen's Emma, so yes class plays an important role, but it's the subtlety of Clueless that makes it more nuanced and yet also insidious in its themes. I do think sometimes this critique verged on overkill at times though, as though the author really needed to hammer home that Clueless isn't this brain-dead film. Clueless at it's heart, to me, is a frothy comedy that relies on quick writing and warm characters that feel genuine. Beyond that I don't think there's that much depth to it, however this did make me think about more overarching themes I may have otherwise overlooked.
Really insightful, well written and compact read. Certainly one of the better of this series I've read from ECW press.
January 20, 2025
Okay so the only other book I’ve read in this series was Extra Salty: Jennifer’s Body by Frederick Blichert and I wasn’t wowed by it. I didn’t feel any passion about the subject material (which is rude because it’s JENNIFER’S BODY, one of the best movies of all time) and the book just felt like reading an extra long Wikipedia article if I’m honest. However I chalked this up to the fact that I’m a Jennifer’s Body super fan and I learned nothing from Extra Salty at all.
I tell you all of that to tell you this: I had a completely different experience with this book. I felt the passion dripping off the page, the excitement! It felt like the author was holding my hands and enthusiastically filling me in on this movie I just have to watch. I will admit though that I am not a Clueless super fan and learned a lot of new information.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I tell you all of that to tell you this: I had a completely different experience with this book. I felt the passion dripping off the page, the excitement! It felt like the author was holding my hands and enthusiastically filling me in on this movie I just have to watch. I will admit though that I am not a Clueless super fan and learned a lot of new information.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 8, 2025
Arc Review:
Overall Rating: 3 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️
An enjoyable book, perfect for fans of the movie Clueless, Gave you a fun look at the behind the scenes moments of the movie.
Thank you NetGalley
Overall Rating: 3 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️
An enjoyable book, perfect for fans of the movie Clueless, Gave you a fun look at the behind the scenes moments of the movie.
Thank you NetGalley
July 1, 2025
A really thoughtful dissection of the clever and subtle things that make Clueless tick. Overall, Litt argues that Clueless is a kind of bright utopian vision that we desperately need, even as it has its ‘90s era flaws, and tbh I’m compelled by that. Another pop classics that absolutely hit the spot!
August 20, 2025
This was a thought-provoking delight!
December 14, 2025
Delightful.
March 27, 2025
Clueless optimistically dramatizes the work it takes to get from where we are now (world on fire) to where we should be (functional empathetic society symbolized by smiling teens at a high school.) from Ug As If! by Victoria Litt
“I am going to take a heroine whom no one but myself will much like,” Jane Austen wrote about Emma Woodhouse. Emma begins flawed and smug and learns from her mistakes to become a better person.
Austen’s 1815 novel was updated in the 1995 movie Clueless. In the movie, Cher is rich and beautiful, like Emma, and she interferes with other people’s lives, like Emma, and like Emma, Cher learns how to be a better person thanks to an older mentor turned love interest. It’s a movie that is fun to watch, that makes us laugh, and has a happy ending. Veronica Litt loves Clueless, too, and her book takes us deep into the movie to understand why we love it and what it tells us about society.
Critics bypassed Clueless as a rom-com without gravitas. Awards go to movies that make us think about dark and troubling things. A ‘feminine’ feel good tale can’t possibly be as important as one about male lone heroes battling figurative or literal monsters.
Litt begs to differ. She considers what the movie says about class and race, and emphasizes the moral influence of the story. Litt delves into the comic tradition, which George Orwell “vigorously defended” as a balm in a troubled world. Stories about women navigating “the ethical conundrums of daily life” have a value, Litt argues.
Cher taking Tai under her wing, or Emma and Harriet in the Austen novel, are relationships delineated by class. New girl Tai ends up with the recovered stoner Travis after being rejected by Elton as not his equal. Adorable couple Dionne and Murray in the movie are both black. Cher gets her step-brother Josh. No class or race boundaries crossed. Very Austen era social mores, class appropriate relationships, still maintained into the 1990s.
Austen’s Frank Churchill becomes the gay Christian in Clueless, the prettiest and coolest boy in school, a guy Cher considers a proper boyfriend. She was clueless enough not to get the hint that he’s friend material only.
Litt shares areas where she finds fault with the over simplicity of the film’s message, especially regarding race relations through Cher and Dionne’s friendship.
We learn how costuming helped Cher’s naive and childlike image. How Paul Rudd’s cuteness and sweetness landed him the role of Josh.
Wallace Shawn, who played the teacher Mr. Hall in the film, thinks the movie is about”the decency of these characters and the way they do nice things, not really out of principle but more out of instinct.” Litt believes the movie makes us feel more hopeful about life and shows us how to become a better society.
Laughter, hope, and moral instruction. What more do we want from story?
Thanks to the publisher for a free book.
“I am going to take a heroine whom no one but myself will much like,” Jane Austen wrote about Emma Woodhouse. Emma begins flawed and smug and learns from her mistakes to become a better person.
Austen’s 1815 novel was updated in the 1995 movie Clueless. In the movie, Cher is rich and beautiful, like Emma, and she interferes with other people’s lives, like Emma, and like Emma, Cher learns how to be a better person thanks to an older mentor turned love interest. It’s a movie that is fun to watch, that makes us laugh, and has a happy ending. Veronica Litt loves Clueless, too, and her book takes us deep into the movie to understand why we love it and what it tells us about society.
Critics bypassed Clueless as a rom-com without gravitas. Awards go to movies that make us think about dark and troubling things. A ‘feminine’ feel good tale can’t possibly be as important as one about male lone heroes battling figurative or literal monsters.
Litt begs to differ. She considers what the movie says about class and race, and emphasizes the moral influence of the story. Litt delves into the comic tradition, which George Orwell “vigorously defended” as a balm in a troubled world. Stories about women navigating “the ethical conundrums of daily life” have a value, Litt argues.
Cher taking Tai under her wing, or Emma and Harriet in the Austen novel, are relationships delineated by class. New girl Tai ends up with the recovered stoner Travis after being rejected by Elton as not his equal. Adorable couple Dionne and Murray in the movie are both black. Cher gets her step-brother Josh. No class or race boundaries crossed. Very Austen era social mores, class appropriate relationships, still maintained into the 1990s.
Austen’s Frank Churchill becomes the gay Christian in Clueless, the prettiest and coolest boy in school, a guy Cher considers a proper boyfriend. She was clueless enough not to get the hint that he’s friend material only.
Litt shares areas where she finds fault with the over simplicity of the film’s message, especially regarding race relations through Cher and Dionne’s friendship.
We learn how costuming helped Cher’s naive and childlike image. How Paul Rudd’s cuteness and sweetness landed him the role of Josh.
Wallace Shawn, who played the teacher Mr. Hall in the film, thinks the movie is about”the decency of these characters and the way they do nice things, not really out of principle but more out of instinct.” Litt believes the movie makes us feel more hopeful about life and shows us how to become a better society.
Laughter, hope, and moral instruction. What more do we want from story?
Thanks to the publisher for a free book.
April 4, 2025
Hard to believe that it’s been thirty years since we met Cher. Clueless is one of those movies that I adored back in the day, assumed that I’d cringe if I saw it again, and was very pleasantly surprised when I recently shared it with my 12 year-old niece. It has held well and this short volume discusses it at length. The differences and similarities between Clueless and its inspiration, Jane Austen’s Emma; how a marshmallow-light candy dream had such hidden depths and the issues with its satirical optimism. I really enjoyed the first chapters, revisiting the movie and the characters, while learning more about the making of. The political content was not for me. I enjoy Clueless for what it is and spending pages and pages on how it could have been more woke seems just a little pointless. There could have been more content about the making of the movie itself, instead of speculating over how to make it more relevant to today’s world. It was still nice to revisit the movie with someone who loves it as much as I do.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/ECW Press.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/ECW Press.
October 25, 2025
It’s very difficult to name one single favorite movie, but Clueless is absolutely top 3. It was a childhood sleepover staple, and I’ve watched it nearly every year since. I can’t believe it’s celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.
So much of this book articulated things I thought about the movie but never put into words. And the rest of it brought up things I’d never considered but now fully believe. It’s a fantastic piece of entertainment criticism/pop culture analysis.
This quote from the book’s conclusion sums up the themes of the book (and the movie) really well:
“Clueless is, all at once, a sharp comedy about privilege, an unwitting indictment of color-blind approaches to race, a buoyant celebration of love and femininity, a poisonous enforcement of the classed world order, a hopeful meditation on community building, and a great movie to watch if you want to be entertained and challenged in one fell swoop.”
So much of this book articulated things I thought about the movie but never put into words. And the rest of it brought up things I’d never considered but now fully believe. It’s a fantastic piece of entertainment criticism/pop culture analysis.
This quote from the book’s conclusion sums up the themes of the book (and the movie) really well:
“Clueless is, all at once, a sharp comedy about privilege, an unwitting indictment of color-blind approaches to race, a buoyant celebration of love and femininity, a poisonous enforcement of the classed world order, a hopeful meditation on community building, and a great movie to watch if you want to be entertained and challenged in one fell swoop.”
December 24, 2024
"To truly learn from this movie, we need to consider its most effective elements as well as its pitfalls."
Just like the movie it's critiquing, this book by Veronica Litt is a joy to read. Every chapter tackles something connected to the film's many themes, whether it's analyzing the devaluing of stereotypically girly media, or exploring how the movie views romance and relationships. Every chapter balances criticism & praise for the 1995 film, and still shows the readers the many layers of what the audience is really watching.
I think my favorite part was the whole second chapter, where I really loved the analysis of ditzy/innocent characters as those who point out the obvious truths (that other characters don't).
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book.
Just like the movie it's critiquing, this book by Veronica Litt is a joy to read. Every chapter tackles something connected to the film's many themes, whether it's analyzing the devaluing of stereotypically girly media, or exploring how the movie views romance and relationships. Every chapter balances criticism & praise for the 1995 film, and still shows the readers the many layers of what the audience is really watching.
I think my favorite part was the whole second chapter, where I really loved the analysis of ditzy/innocent characters as those who point out the obvious truths (that other characters don't).
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book.
Read
April 9, 2025I have a strong dislike of reviewing non fiction, so I'll give it my best shot.
It's been at least a year since I've seen Clueless, and I didn't remember a ton. While I love the original work (Jane Austen's Emma is one of the more palatable for me), Clueless isn't my go-to comfort rewatch.
Definitely read as a simultaneous love letter to the movie and a dissertation type dissection of some of the more nuanced issues (Like, totally didn't remember the age gap between Cher and Josh).
I think I expected a more "this is how it was made" type book like I've read for Mean Girls, etc. Doesn't mean this was bad, per se, just not what I expected. Still enjoyed it. Thanks, NG!
It's been at least a year since I've seen Clueless, and I didn't remember a ton. While I love the original work (Jane Austen's Emma is one of the more palatable for me), Clueless isn't my go-to comfort rewatch.
Definitely read as a simultaneous love letter to the movie and a dissertation type dissection of some of the more nuanced issues (Like, totally didn't remember the age gap between Cher and Josh).
I think I expected a more "this is how it was made" type book like I've read for Mean Girls, etc. Doesn't mean this was bad, per se, just not what I expected. Still enjoyed it. Thanks, NG!
June 3, 2025
This book is focused on the movie "Clueless" by Amy Heckerling. That movie is based on Jane Austen's Emma. The author does a nice job taking us on a journey through 100 pages trying to explain what it is about - along the way, we explore rom-coms, "girl" films, sexism, racism and classism. She includes lots of references to other films, articles, popular culture. I really loved her interludes - from a venn diagram on "ditz's" to a chart comparing characters from Clueless to equivalent characters in Emma, and one on Rom Com heroes who chose the wrong guy. A fun read and now I am ready to re-watch Clueless!
Thank you to Netgalley and ECW Press for an ARC and I voluntarily left this review.
Thank you to Netgalley and ECW Press for an ARC and I voluntarily left this review.
July 6, 2025
Funny, well-written, insightful and smart. A masterful example of how pop culture and literary theory can mesh. The author doesn't gloss over the more problematic parts of the movie (which we know exist but often prefer to forget). A must for Clueless fans! (That footnote about the edible killed me.)
*** Edit ***
I've seen some reviewers stating that they were disappointed that the book does not cover how the movie was made. This is absolutely not the point of this book, nor the EWC Press pop culture imprint. If you want to read about how Clueless came to be, then read "As If! An Oral History" by Jen Cheney (great book, you won't be sorry).
*** Edit ***
I've seen some reviewers stating that they were disappointed that the book does not cover how the movie was made. This is absolutely not the point of this book, nor the EWC Press pop culture imprint. If you want to read about how Clueless came to be, then read "As If! An Oral History" by Jen Cheney (great book, you won't be sorry).
May 8, 2025
Whether you grew up with Emma or with Cher, Veronica Litt takes you on a brilliant, nostalgic, feminist critical analysis of how Clueless is anything but less. Even in the excerpts of digging deeper into the faux pas’ of the film, she brings to light the need for this discourse from a place of openness; a refresher in the height of cancel culture. Plus, the footnotes were stories in themselves. While some parts felt a bit overplayed, overall, I enjoyed the analysis and the humour, playfulness woven in.
January 17, 2025
Clueless is one of my favorite movies so when I saw Veronica Litt was releasing a book about it I knew I needed to read it. This book explores different themes within the movie. While some of these themes I easily noticed in the years of watching the movie, I did not notice all of them. The book is well written and connects the themes to today.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
February 15, 2025
I love non-fiction reads about cult TV and movies, so when I saw UGH! AS IF! I knew I absolutely had to read it, and wow, did it deliver! Clueless is one of those films that is transcending generations, from its Jane Austen roots to the newer gens today. Litt does a wonderful job of blending both positive and negative criticism of the film together. Highly recommend for fans of anything pop culture.
Thanks to ECW Press and Netgalley for my review e-copy.
Thanks to ECW Press and Netgalley for my review e-copy.
June 3, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and ECW Press for the ARC of this title
I've enjoyed other entries in this series, but this one left me a little disappointed by the end - I love the author's enthusiasm for reading Clueless as a rich text, and they've clearly got a lot to say, but I wanted a little more synthesis of their additional sources rather than just giving us their text as quotes and asking us as readers to do all the connecting of dots.
I've enjoyed other entries in this series, but this one left me a little disappointed by the end - I love the author's enthusiasm for reading Clueless as a rich text, and they've clearly got a lot to say, but I wanted a little more synthesis of their additional sources rather than just giving us their text as quotes and asking us as readers to do all the connecting of dots.
January 14, 2025
Just finished Ugh As If! by Veronica Litt, and it’s a must-read for Clueless fans. It was also my first "e-read"!
The book dives deep into the film’s themes, balancing critique and praise while unpacking topics like the devaluing of "fluff" and media labeled as non-serious, as well as how Clueless views relationships.
Litt argues, “Clueless argues that idealism is more useful than cynicism, that hope is more powerful than despair, and that community is more valuable than isolation.” That standout line stayed with me the entire time I was reading.
I also loved how Litt explored the "EW" factor of how our society hasn’t changed much—touching on issues of class, elitism, racism, and more, with a lot of reference to the creator of Clueless.
Big thanks to NetGalley for the early copy!
The book dives deep into the film’s themes, balancing critique and praise while unpacking topics like the devaluing of "fluff" and media labeled as non-serious, as well as how Clueless views relationships.
Litt argues, “Clueless argues that idealism is more useful than cynicism, that hope is more powerful than despair, and that community is more valuable than isolation.” That standout line stayed with me the entire time I was reading.
I also loved how Litt explored the "EW" factor of how our society hasn’t changed much—touching on issues of class, elitism, racism, and more, with a lot of reference to the creator of Clueless.
Big thanks to NetGalley for the early copy!
June 28, 2025
Smart, funny, and totally delightful, Veronica Litt’s Ugh! As If! is as bright and charming as Clueless itself. I wish I had this book in undergrad—being introduced to a critic who loves her subject matter even as she analyzes it would have been a revelation. Fully enjoyed the book—I can’t remember the last time a scholarly book was funny. Do not skip the footnotes.
October 17, 2025
This is a must read for Clueless fans!
It’s insightful, well researched, and funny. It challenges you to re-think the way you consume the movie and the way you thunk about its message.
The little pop quizes between chapters were fun, and the footnotes were just as good as the main text.
I hope ECW Press keeps publishing these great pop culture essay books!!!
It’s insightful, well researched, and funny. It challenges you to re-think the way you consume the movie and the way you thunk about its message.
The little pop quizes between chapters were fun, and the footnotes were just as good as the main text.
I hope ECW Press keeps publishing these great pop culture essay books!!!
May 14, 2025
Loved this deep dive on one of my favorite movies! Thanks to the publisher for the gifted copy!
May 27, 2025
This book is very funny and very smart. I don’t love Clueless, but I loved reading this.
June 18, 2025
This is a fun fluffy look at the movie. It’s perfect for super fans of the movie as well as the casual viewer.
Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for an advanced copy of this book.
Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for an advanced copy of this book.
June 27, 2025
Between the 90s nostalgia, the feminist rants, the social commentary, and the Insult Generator, this book found my g-spot.
December 17, 2025
A cute and quick read for hardcore fans of Clueless. A solid cultural analysis of a great movie.
January 15, 2025
I thought it was super cool when I saw this book looking back at the 1990s phenomenon that was the movie Clueless. Veronica Litt’s Ugh! As if! was a fun read bringing forward many things that I haven’t considered.
Thank you Netgalley and ECW Press for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
It’s been years (decades?) since I’ve seen the movie, but I still remember everything.
I honestly couldn’t tell you the last time that I saw Clueless. I remember seeing it as a young teenager and loving it, because it was so funny. I haven’t seen it in forever, so my adult brain hasn’t had to process any of the themes of the movie.
Still, as Litt broke down the scenes from the movie, everything came back to me like I just watched it.
Unlearning the fact that just because a show/movie was made for boys didn’t make it inherently better than someone made for girls at a young age changed my life for the better.
One of the things addressed is how movies like Clueless weren’t taken seriously by many in the media, because it was seen as a movie for women and girls.
Being taught as a young kid that movies, sports, shows, games, toys, etc. for girls don’t matter as much as those made for boys is a regular part of life. If you unlearn that as soon as possible, there’s so much more out there for you to enjoy
The examination of the inability of Clueless to say everything and nothing about social issues changed my perspective on most teen movies/shows from the 1990s.
Everyone always thinks the teen movies from when they were a teen were the best teen movies. I’m no different; however, this book really opened my eyes to how Clueless, among others, worked really hard and went out of the way to say everything and nothing about nearly every social issue.
It’s a shame and, looking back, so many classic 1990s teen films suffer a similar fate.
Thank you Netgalley and ECW Press for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
It’s been years (decades?) since I’ve seen the movie, but I still remember everything.
I honestly couldn’t tell you the last time that I saw Clueless. I remember seeing it as a young teenager and loving it, because it was so funny. I haven’t seen it in forever, so my adult brain hasn’t had to process any of the themes of the movie.
Still, as Litt broke down the scenes from the movie, everything came back to me like I just watched it.
Unlearning the fact that just because a show/movie was made for boys didn’t make it inherently better than someone made for girls at a young age changed my life for the better.
One of the things addressed is how movies like Clueless weren’t taken seriously by many in the media, because it was seen as a movie for women and girls.
Being taught as a young kid that movies, sports, shows, games, toys, etc. for girls don’t matter as much as those made for boys is a regular part of life. If you unlearn that as soon as possible, there’s so much more out there for you to enjoy
The examination of the inability of Clueless to say everything and nothing about social issues changed my perspective on most teen movies/shows from the 1990s.
Everyone always thinks the teen movies from when they were a teen were the best teen movies. I’m no different; however, this book really opened my eyes to how Clueless, among others, worked really hard and went out of the way to say everything and nothing about nearly every social issue.
It’s a shame and, looking back, so many classic 1990s teen films suffer a similar fate.
June 25, 2025
"We are still majorly, totally, butt-crazy in love with Clueless."
June 3, 2025
It's been 30 years and we are still, thank god, talking about this movie.
While the book As If! by Chaney focused on the making of the movie and featured first-hand stories from the cast and crew, Ugh! As If! by Litt takes a more culturally nuanced, mildly academic stance. This is told through the lens of the present day, since over time we really like to re-evaluate elements pop culture and their staying power.
I appreciate the ability to love something, especially for nostalgia reasons, while also analyzing and being critical of the content. Clueless does not tell a perfect, inoffensive story, but it has its sweet moments. Actually, it has a lot of sweet moments. And is generally iconic AF.
I loved this. I always appreciate being reminded that Paul Rudd auditioned for Murray because he thought he was white. Bless.
Thanks to the publisher and NG
While the book As If! by Chaney focused on the making of the movie and featured first-hand stories from the cast and crew, Ugh! As If! by Litt takes a more culturally nuanced, mildly academic stance. This is told through the lens of the present day, since over time we really like to re-evaluate elements pop culture and their staying power.
I appreciate the ability to love something, especially for nostalgia reasons, while also analyzing and being critical of the content. Clueless does not tell a perfect, inoffensive story, but it has its sweet moments. Actually, it has a lot of sweet moments. And is generally iconic AF.
I loved this. I always appreciate being reminded that Paul Rudd auditioned for Murray because he thought he was white. Bless.
Thanks to the publisher and NG
December 13, 2025
Veronica Litt's analysis of the beloved 1995 movie Clueless is fascinating, although toward the end it veers into semi-ridiculous territory. I loved the first 75% of the book, but the last 25% wants Clueless to be a completely different movie than it actually is. The idea of Cher becoming a community activist, and that the movie should show her journey into activism, is pretty out-of-pocket. However, the author argues that this should have happened in the film and the ABC/UPN TV show that ran for 3 seasons from 1997-1999.
I did love the author's sharp wit and humor in discussing one of my favorite movies of all time! I would definitely recommend this book to any fan of Clueless, 90's films, Amy Heckerling, or movies in general.
4 stars.
I received this complimentary ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
I did love the author's sharp wit and humor in discussing one of my favorite movies of all time! I would definitely recommend this book to any fan of Clueless, 90's films, Amy Heckerling, or movies in general.
4 stars.
I received this complimentary ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
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