The Next Reel Film Podcast

We started this season with Amy Heckerling and we return to her in today’s episode with her 1995 loose adaptation of Jane Austen’s “Emma.” Join us as we talk about her film ‘Clueless,’ the second in our 90s Comedies series.

Show Notes

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“So, okay, you’re probably going, ‘Is this, like, a Noxema commercial or what?’ But seriously, I actually have a very normal life for a teenage girl.”

Amy Heckerling started a project about a positive high school student for TV. She wrote several iterations before it stalled out, but when she switched agents, her new agent said it was too good for TV. So she switched it to be a feature film. And with that the foundation for Clueless was born. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our 90s Comedies series with Heckerling’s 1995 film Clueless.

Here are some clues about what we talk about in our Clueless episode.

The foundation for Clueless may be Heckerling’s TV project, but it didn’t take long for her to realize she had been pulling in elements from Jane Austen’s “Emma.” Locking that in and focusing on the Beverly Hills high school set, Heckerling found the story. And it’s a delight.

Alicia Silverstone is the key for this film. She’s perfect as Cher, delivering a performance that’s authentic and kind, even while being a rich shopaholic. The rest of the cast fleshes out the film. Stacey Dash, Paul Rudd, Brittany Murphy – everyone feels perfect for the roles they play.

And that holds true for the adults too. Dan Hedaya as Cher’s dad? What a loveable grump.

But the movie’s more than the cast. Heckerling’s script, which intrinsically different from Fast Times at Ridgemont High because of the RomCom nature of this story, still captures the teens of the mid-90s in action and speech. Mona May’s costumes both captured the time and ended up influencing fashion for years to come. And the production design and cinematography together bring the colors and vibes to the forefront to create a hyper-realistic world.

It’s a delight of a film. It’s not perfect, but is an easy watch and an easy one to fall in love with. Check it out then tune in to this week’s episode on your podcatcher of choice. The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins!

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Creators and Guests

Host
Andy Nelson
With over 25 years of experience in film, television, and commercial production, Andy has cultivated an enduring passion for storytelling in all its forms. His enthusiasm for the craft began in his youth when he and his friends started making their own movies in grade school. After studying film at the University of Colorado Boulder, Andy wrote, directed, and produced several short films while also producing indie features like Netherbeast Incorporated and Ambush at Dark Canyon. Andy has been on the production team for award-winning documentaries such as The Imposter and The Joe Show, as well as TV shows like Investigation Discovery’s Deadly Dentists and Nat Geo’s Inside the Hunt for the Boston Bombers. Over a decade ago, he started podcasting with Pete and immediately embraced the medium. Now, as a partner at TruStory FM, Andy looks forward to more storytelling through their wide variety of shows. Throughout his career, Andy has passed on his knowledge by teaching young minds the crafts of screenwriting, producing, editing, and podcasting. Outside of work, Andy is a family man who enjoys a good martini, a cold beer, a nice cup o’ joe. And always, of course, a great movie.
Host
Pete Wright
#Movies, #ADHD, & #Podcasting • Co-founder @trustory.fm🎥 The Next Reel Family of #Film Podcasts @thenextreel.com🎙️ Taking Control: The ADHD Podcast @takecontroladhd.com📖 Co-author of Unapologetically ADHD • https://unapologeticallyadhdbook.com

What is The Next Reel Film Podcast?

A show about movies and how they connect.
We love movies. We’ve been talking about them, one movie a week, since 2011. It’s a lot of movies, that’s true, but we’re passionate about origins and performance, directors and actors, themes and genres, and so much more. So join the community, and let’s hear about your favorite movies, too.
When the movie ends, our conversation begins.