Movies, am I right? You gotta love them. The fact of the matter is, film has a way of touching your soul in a really profound way. You can utilize movies as a method of escapism, traveling to a different world to flee from your own trivial problems. You can also watch films that perfectly encapsulate the struggles of your own life, using them as a form of catharsis. In my own personal world of movie viewing, I find that no other movies get my life quite like 90s chick flicks. They're full of heart, great clothes, and slang terms that I fully believe deserve a comeback ("as if" - anyone?). Whether you prefer teen comedies, or legendary love stories, your favorite 90s teen movie says a lot about you.
"Clueless" (1995)
My personal favorite movie of all time, this ironic Jane Austen (from her novel, "Emma") adaptation features mindless consumerism, vapid teens and quirky matchmaking gone wrong. If you love this movie, there's a good chance that you see yourself in Cher, the blonde heroine of the film. You like to shop 'til you drop, and fashion is a pretty big component in your life. You enjoy looking at a young Paul Rudd, which, who wouldn't? You're outgoing, fun, and enjoy being a carefree young woman. "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" may or may not be your anthem, and you have no problem giving creepy guys the boot. I pray that your driving skills are better than Cher's, though.
"10 Things I Hate About You" (1999)
A snarky adaptation of Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew," this film features an abrasive female lead and a bad boy that no one can resist. If this film tops your list, it's likely that you are fond of strong female figures (you go girl). You probably spend a good amount of time listening to female power ballads, or Destiny's Child, and you fully believe that women can do it for themselves. However, you secretly wish that a brooding, Australian hunk like Heath Ledger (R.I.P.) would come into your life and ~change your negative biases toward men forever~. Keep dreamin', sister.
"Never Been Kissed" (1999)
If this charming romantic comedy is more your speed, then you are both lighthearted and relatively innocent when it comes to romantic pursuits. The film details the journey of a baby-faced Drew Barrymore as a junior copywriter at the Chicago Sun-Times, and her attempt to infiltrate her former high school to research teen culture. She ultimately falls for her English teacher, and they live happily ever after. If this kind of thing appeals to you, you might just be a tiny bit naive. Maybe you're still in high school, or maybe you like the idea of forbidden love--either way, this movie is the only way that you'll actually get to be with a teacher so enjoy it while you can.
"Drive Me Crazy" (1999)
This one is definitely the most obscure film on the list, so if it's your favorite, there's a good chance that you are a fan of the indie genre. Two teens who are worlds apart decide to fake date in order to attract the jealousy of their respective interests, but wind up falling in love anyway. If you love this movie, you've probably thought about dating your best guy friend, or engaging in manipulative tricks to land the one you love. You also probably know that using someone to get to someone else is morally bankrupt (I hope), so explore your fantasies of unrealistic love games through this flick.
"Jawbreaker" (1999)
This black comedy film depicts girls in an exclusive high-school clique inspired by the film "Heathers," complete with the accidental murder of one of the clique's members. Let's be real, if this teen movie is your favorite, you have a bit of a dark side. You might not have totally enjoyed high school, and there's a good chance you were a little bit of a social outcast. This film gives you the opportunity to finally get back at those mean girls, if only by living vicariously through the actresses. Although this movie was a financial failure, it did go on to inspire "Mean Girls," so you have a unique ability to see the good in a situation.
Peter Jackson once said, "The most honest form of filmmaking is to make a film for yourself." If this is true, it's clear that 90s teen movies were made for quirky, sometimes vapid, and ultimately well-intentioned teens. All movies have the potential to touch your life on a personal level, but there's something about watching a 90s teen movie as a teen that really fulfills that relatable promise. This niche genre is full of different content, with each one being just about as unique as teenagers themselves. Your favorite 90s teen film says lots about your personality, your outlook on life, and what entertains you.
