The Age Gap in Clueless

Clueless was a hit during the 1990s, and it is widely considered one of the most memorable teen comedies of all time. Its iconic costumes, relatable lines and feminist outlook on friendship and romance made it a popular film for both teenagers and adults. But despite capturing the themes that made Emma such a versatile novel while giving it a modern spin, its age gap between Cher (Alicia Silverstone) and Josh (Paul Rudd) caused some viewers to be uncomfortable.

The Age Gap between Cher and Josh

The age difference between Cher and Josh is a significant factor in the controversy surrounding their relationship. Though they were briefly stepsiblings, the film’s director, Jonathan Heckerling, decided to make them romantically involved as a means of blurring the line between familial relationships and the broader world of love.

Heckerling said he wanted to explore the “inappropriate” way in which some teens may choose to date their step brothers and sisters. But he also wanted to be honest with the viewers about the fact that they were only going through a phase, and not an ongoing relationship.

This was a tricky situation because Heckerling wanted to portray the age gap as believable and realistic, but not so unrealistic that it would feel too cheesy or out of place. And he did this by playing up the fact that Cher had been socialized with her step brother as a child.

However, it’s a big problem because California’s age of consent is 18. That means that if they were sexually involved with each other while they were both under 18, the relationship could have been illegal.

That could have led to a messy court case, especially since Josh’s father, Mel (James Horowitz), is a litigator who makes $500 an hour. He is very proud of his daughter’s accomplishments, her good works for herself and others, and her efforts to better herself, but he does have a strong dislike for her taste in revealing clothing, and he is a bit overprotective.

But as Heckerling explained, the age difference between them is actually less than seven years. And the fact that they were both socialized as siblings makes it easier to imagine them as having a long-term relationship.

They were both at different points in their lives, and Cher was still trying to figure out who she was in a rapidly changing world. She was about to graduate from high school and go away to college, while Josh was home on break from school.

The Relationship between Cher and Josh

While the romance between Cher and her brother is a little over the top, it’s not completely out of the question. In some countries, it is legal to have a relationship with your stepbrother, as they are not legally considered to be siblings.

It’s a bit awkward when Cher introduces her future romantic partners to her stepbrother, but that’s the point. It’s important for her to have a family connection, so that she can be close to them when she needs them most.