Synopses & Reviews
Acclaimed pop culture journalist Jen Chaney shares an oral history of the cult classic film andlt;Iandgt;Cluelessandlt;/Iandgt; in the ultimate written resource about one of the most influential, revered, and enduring movies of the 1990sand#8212;in celebration of its twentieth anniversary.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Will we ever get tired of watching Cher navigate Beverly Hills high school and discover true love in the movie andlt;Iandgt;Cluelessandlt;/Iandgt;? As if! Written by Amy Heckerling and starring Alicia Silverstone, andlt;Iandgt;Clueless andlt;/Iandgt;is an enduring comedy classic that remains one of the most streamed movies on Netflix, Amazon, and iTunes even twenty years after its release. Inspired by Jane Austenand#8217;s andlt;Iandgt;Emmaandlt;/Iandgt;, andlt;Iandgt;Cluelessandlt;/Iandgt; is an everlasting pop culture staple.andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;In the first book of its kind, Jen Chaney has compiled an oral history of the making of this iconic film using recollections and insights collected from key cast and crew members involved in the making of this endlessly quotable, ahead-of-its-time production. Get a behind-the-scenes look at how andlt;Iandgt;Emma andlt;/Iandgt;influenced Heckerling to write the script, how the stars were cast into each of their roles, what was involved in creating the costumes, sets, and soundtrack, and much more.andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;This wonderful twentieth anniversary commemoration includes never-before-seen photos, original call sheets, casting notes, and production diary extracts. With supplemental critical insights by the author and other notable movie experts about why andlt;Iandgt;Clueless andlt;/Iandgt;continues to impact pop culture, andlt;Iandgt;As If!andlt;/Iandgt; will leave fans new and old totally bugginand#8217; as they understand why this beloved film is timeless.
Review
"Chaneyand#8217;s homage does not disappoint. . . . [She] weaves a glittery web, one thatand#8217;s hard to walk away from once youand#8217;re drawn in. . . . For us middle-aged Gen X-ers and our adolescent offspring who still watch andlt;Iandgt;Clueless andlt;/Iandgt;at sleepovers, andlt;Bandgt;andlt;Iandgt;As If! andlt;/Iandgt;andlt;/Bandgt;is a must. In fact, itand#8217;s phat! Which is high praise, indeed."
Review
and#8220;In andlt;Bandgt;andlt;Iandgt;As If!andlt;/Iandgt;andlt;/Bandgt;, everyone involved with the picture is interviewed, giving fans a window into how the movie became a classic.and#8221;
Review
and#8220;[Chaney] seems to have gotten just about everyone involved in andlt;Iandgt;andlt;Bandgt;Clueless andlt;/Bandgt;andlt;/Iandgt;to talk to her about the making of the movie. . . . The behind-the-scenes memories will thrill those who loved the movie, and Chaney makes a good case for its enduring influence.and#8221;
Review
"This book is a must-read for every girl who ever considered buying a white Jeep in honor of Cher Horowitz."
Review
"Chaney expertly peppers juicy details about the film's making . . . with honest celebrity insights."
Review
"Packed with awesome behind-the-scenes shots, old-fashioned Polaroids, and every factoid you'll ever need to know, the book should be a bible for 'Clueless' trivia contestants and uber-fans everywhere."
Review
and#8220;Chaney rounded up the cast, crew and other crucial andlt;Iandgt;Clueless andlt;/Iandgt;players to spill behind-the-scenes secrets about the movie. All the juicy stories are in her new book.and#8221;
Review
"It's one of those books we needed without realizing it: an oral history of the making of andlt;Iandgt;Cluelessandlt;/Iandgt;. . . . A treat for fans."
Review
and#8220;For its 20th birthday, the 90s classic andlt;Iandgt;Clueless andlt;/Iandgt;gets a hilariousand#8212;and comprehensiveand#8212;oral history.and#8221;
Synopsis
Will we ever get tired of Clueless? Ugh, as if
Acclaimed pop culture journalist Jen Chaney celebrates the twentieth anniversary of the classic film's release in the first book of its kind, weaving together original interviews with writer and director Amy Heckerling; key cast members, including Alicia Silverstone (Cher), Paul Rudd (Josh), Stacey Dash (Dionne), Donald Faison (Murray), Elisa Donovan (Amber), Wallace Shawn (Mr. Hall), Twink Caplan (Ms. Geist and associate producer); and other crucial Clueless players like costume designer Mona May, casting director Marcia Ross, director of photography Bill Pope, former Paramount chairwoman Sherry Lansing, and many more. Cast and crew also pay heartfelt tribute to the late Brittany Murphy, who lit up the screen as Cher's protegee, Tai.
Chaney explores the influence of Jane Austen's Emma as the unlikely framework for Heckerling's script, the rigorous casting process (including the future stars who didn't make the cut), the functional yet fashion-forward wardrobe, the unique slang that drew from the past and coined new phrases for the future, the sun-drenched soundtrack that set the tone, and--above all--the massive amount of work, creativity, and craft that went into making Clueless look so effortlessly bright and glossy.
As If illuminates why plaid skirts and knee socks will never go out of style, and why Clueless remains one of the most beloved comedies of all time.
Synopsis
andlt;bandgt;Will we ever get tired of andlt;iandgt;Cluelessandlt;/iandgt;? Ugh, as if!andlt;/bandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Acclaimed pop culture journalist Jen Chaney celebrates the twentieth anniversary of the classic filmand#8217;s release in the first book of its kind, weaving together original interviews with writer and director Amy Heckerling; key cast members, including Alicia Silverstone (Cher), Paul Rudd (Josh), Stacey Dash (Dionne), Donald Faison (Murray), Elisa Donovan (Amber), Wallace Shawn (Mr. Hall), Twink Caplan (Ms. Geist and associate producer); and other crucial andlt;iandgt;Cluelessandlt;/iandgt; players like costume designer Mona May, casting director Marcia Ross, director of photography Bill Pope, former Paramount chairwoman Sherry Lansing, and many more. Cast and crew also pay heartfelt tribute to the late Brittany Murphy, who lit up the screen as Cherand#8217;s protand#233;gand#233;e, Tai.andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;Chaney explores the influence of Jane Austenand#8217;s andlt;iandgt;Emmaandlt;/iandgt; as the unlikely framework for Heckerlingand#8217;s script, the rigorous casting process (including the future stars who didnand#8217;t make the cut), the functional yet fashion-forward wardrobe, the unique slang that drew from the past and coined new phrases for the future, the sun-drenched soundtrack that set the tone, andand#8212;above alland#8212;the massive amount of work, creativity, and craft that went into making andlt;iandgt;Cluelessandlt;/iandgt; look so effortlessly bright and glossy.andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;andlt;iandgt;As If!andlt;/iandgt; illuminates why plaid skirts and knee socks will never go out of style, and why andlt;iandgt;Cluelessandlt;/iandgt; remains one of the most beloved comedies of all time.
About the Author
Jen Chaney has been a journalist for twenty years and has spent much of that time writing about movies, television, and popular culture. She currently writes reviews, feature stories, essays, and TV analyses for numerous publications, including andlt;Iandgt;New Yorkandlt;/Iandgt; magazine, andlt;Iandgt;The Washington Postandlt;/Iandgt;, andlt;Iandgt;Esquireandlt;/Iandgt;, andlt;I andgt;Salonandlt;/Iandgt;, and Yahoo.com. Chaney is a graduate of the College of William andamp; Mary, and lives with her husband, son, and beagle just outside of Washington, DC.