Sophie BellAnalyzing the opening sequence of Cluelesshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yx70THjsTvU Clueless is a 1995 American comedy film, loosely based on Jane Austen's novel 'Emma'. Set in Beverly Hills Staring Alicia Silverstone as the main character and narrator Cher, a popular and rich teenage girl who spends her time playing matchmaker, shopping and looking for a boyfriend. The opening sequence takes us straight into the glamorous lifestyle of Cher, showing the 'popular' clique of a high school partying by a pool, shopping and driving around in a Jeep. Cher is narrating these aspects of her life, as her best friend is introduced she says 'she is my friend because we both know what it's like to have people be jealous of us'. From the opening sequence we get a good idea of Cher's personality and lifestyle. The idea of a carefree teenage American lifestyle shown in this opening sequence is supported by the choice of music 'Kids in America' by Kim Wilde.

How has the director/producer tried to engage the audience?Cher's body language gives away a lot about her personality. She runs her hands through her hair and looks at herself in the mirror confidently, which gives the impression that she is happy with the way she looks and thinks highly of herself, which is made obvious later on in the movie. She can also be seen to be skipping along happy, which could suggest that she is a happy and energetic person and possibly quite immature too, Her use of language could infer she is not very intelligent either. This would engage the audience as generally more extravagant and bold characters such as this are more entertaining to watch, as well as being appealing to teenage girls, the target audience of this film, who would aspire to be like Cher. The props used in this opening sequence gives away a lot about Cher, for example she has a computer which chooses her outfits for her each day. This highlights the fact she is very wealthy as well as superficial and fashionable. The clothes that Cher wears would have been very hip and fashionable at the time the film was set, which again shows the kind of character she is. Her outfits always match which could also infer that she is a perfectionist. Cher's hair and makeup appears to always be perfect too, which is stereotypical of a 'popular' rich girl. The colours used in the opening titles are very bright and psychedelic which was popular in the 90's. This would give a modern audience a foreshadow into the kind of movie it is. There are different locations shown in the opening sequence however I think that Cher's house best represents her lifestyle, it is a Beverly Hills mansion with a grand chandelier in the hallway, and also shows a maid to be working for them. This again shows what kind of life and privileges Cher has. This which would be engaging to the audience in my opinion as consumers of media often enjoy seeing people who have a very grand and glamorous lifestyle.

How have the producers used or subverted stereotypes? This opening sequence shows the stereotype of rich teenagers being snobby, spoilt, carefree, reckless and having things given to them (Cher's dad brought her a Jeep before she had even passed her test) this stereotype is often shown in American high school movies for example 'Mean Girls' and 'She's All That'. Cher and her friends are also shown to be Stereotypical females, dressed in skirts and dresses, wearing makeup, caring about fashion, being naive, loving shopping and not being very intelligent. Cher's lack of intelligence is shown when she swerves onto the pavement and runs over a plant pot claiming that it 'came out of nowhere' . Cher can also be shown to be the stereotype of a 'sexy woman' being flirty, wearing revealing clothes, using her sexuality to get what she wants and being 'bitchy'. Cher can also be established as the 'Princess' in Vladimir Propp's seven spheres of action, as she can be shown to be naive and dependent, and later on in the film has to be rescued by Josh, the hero. Mulvey's gaze theory can also be seen, when the camera focus is put on Cher's body when she is getting changed.