The text i chose to analyse is Clueless (1995) Dir. Amy Heckerling.
General
1) Why did you choose the text you are analysing?
I chose Clueless because it is a movie that is synonymous with classic coming of age tales and the mid 90s movies that brought more female leads as well as teen films that drifted away from the John Hughes movies of the 80s.
2) In what context did you encounter it?
I encountered this movie through being shown it as a young kid by my parents and hearing countless people reference it on social media or in conversation (totally buggin', as if!, the infamous yellow plaid)
3) What influence do you think this context might have had on your interpretation of the text?
I think it implemented the idea that this was a teen coming of age film, a film that was about a teen girl going through conventional 'teen girl' situations
4) To what genre did you initially assign the text?
Coming of age/Romance
5) What is your experience of this genre?
This genre usually has high key lighting and rose tinted iconology, with a happy ending and some angst or realisation the protagonist has to go through in order to pursue the romance/overcome a less desirable situation
6) What subject matter and basic themes is the text concerned with?
Romance, Societal Hierarchy, Self image, Sexuality
7) How typical of the genre is this text in terms of content?
Clueless fits the mold of many of the conventions of a Romantic Comedy such as the lead that fits into the idealised structures of women, an unconventional love story and some kind of character development for the protagonist whether aesthetically (Tai) or on the inside (Cher) however some of the conventions have been played on and parodied such as Cher being the high status, well dressed protagonist contrasting Josh, who's not as socially pronounced which flips the narrative of High society man/rescues woman/wins her heart seen in movies such as pretty woman or maid in manhattan.
8) What expectations do you have about texts in this genre?
I expect there to be a romance of some sort, a comedic relief in the form of a best friend and some sort of harsh parental figure who gives advice that helps guide the character into making a decision which leads to the eventual relationship of the protagonist and her love interest. Also, a pop based soundtrack, a scene of angst or tribulation and a relationship of the protagonists that doesn't go as plan which leads to the endgame being pursued.
9) Have you found any formal generic labels for this particular text (where)?
Yes, it has a teen demographic as well as a critically acclaimed 'coming of age' and 'cult classic' labels
(Rotten Tomatoes, Letterboxd, IMDB)10) What generic labels have others given the same text?
Many people view Clueless as a classic movie for young girls to watch during their teen years. This as well as its status as a 90s movie, which was a revolutionary time for movies of all genres allows these labels to be perpetuated through generations.
11) Which conventions of the genre do you recognize in the text?
A well known actress as the lead, teen protagonist, heterosexual relationship, subplot concerning friendships, a 'makeover' in which a character drastically conforms to societal expectation.
12) To what extent does this text stretch the conventions of its genre?
The relationship dynamic goes against the patriarchal narratives to some degree, Tai goes against the eurocentric ideals of beauty usually present in Romance/Classic films, it parodies a scene from 'The breakfast club' with Miss Geist
13) Where and why does the text depart from the conventions of the genre?
The text departs from conventions within the feminist ideologies and wide range of representation however these characters do conform slightly with stereotypes which can be interpreted as problematic.
14) Which conventions seem more like those of a different genre (and which genre(s))?
The plot is synonymous with a coming of age movie however the relationships do resemble those within a drama (distant parents, unhealthy male/female balances)
15) What familiar motifs or images are used?
Chic clothing, 'Soft' Colour palettes, hand holding/physical contact
Mode of address
1) What sort of audience did you feel that the text was aimed at (and how typical was this of the genre)?
Teen girls around 15/16 which is a conventional audience of Romance/Teen films
2) How does the text address you?
It addresses the audience as someone who could relate to if not the main plot, one of the subplots that deals with a larger variety of demographical issues.
3) What sort of person does it assume you are?
A romantic. Also someone with a rose tinted view on adolescence.
4) What assumptions seem to be made about your class, age, gender and ethnicity?
Middle class, 15/16 white girl.
5) What interests does it assume you have?
Makeup/Appearance, Pop Culture, boys and stereotypical teen girl interests along those lines
Relationship to other texts
1) What intertextual references are there in the text you are analysing (and to what other texts)?
This film is based off of the Jane Austen Novel 'Emma' and has scenes relating to other teen movies such as The Breakfast Club (Miss Geist transformation) and also references to pop culture at the time such as The flintstones (Bettys)
2) Generically, which other texts does the text you are analysing resemble most closely?
I would say that Clueless closely resembles the Breakfast club and Fast Times at Ridgemont High as they all have a John Hughes-feel as well as similar character dynamics.
3) What key features are shared by these texts?
The character stereotypes such as the 'stoners' and the 'princesses' as well as the role of a grouchy, grumpy teacher. Also an unconventional romantic plot and the use of a makeover to help secure a redemption arc/relatability to a character who's stereotype and dynamics can be rejected by audiences.
4) What major differences do you notice between them?
The representation and ideologies of the texts are vastly different as society changed and their views on women and relationship dynamics changed with them. Another thing that is extremely different is the dialogue and use of slang terms, this is down to contexts but as times changed the appropriate language for these films changed too. The main differences are in fact embedded into the plots of the movies as they deconstruct and manipulate conventional coming of age aspects to create cult classics.
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