The Inside Story of “Clueless” — Jen Chaney’s New Book is a Total Betty

My friend Jen Chaney is one of the most knowledgeable and insightful writers about movies and pop culture I know. Her new book is an oral history of “Clueless,” based on interviews with writer/director Amy Heckerling and the stars and crew. It is brilliant and funny and one of the best books I know about how movies get made and why they matter. “Clueless” is by now a cultural touchstone, featuring lines of dialogue that have entered the lexicon, iconic fashion, some surprisingly accurate future predictions about technology and behavior, and star-making performances from its young actors. The book is called As If!: The Oral History of Clueless as told by Amy Heckerling and the Cast and Crew and it is as irresistible as Alicia Silverstone’s Cher and as smart as Paul Rudd’s Josh.

Those in the Washington DC area can see Jen at one of these events.

July 11: Politics & Prose, reading and signing

July 16: American Film Institute Silver Spring, Clueless screening and Q&A

July 25: Newseum, Q&A