Once in a while a role can come along and be the big break that so many actors dream of.

And then there are the roles that not only bring overnight success, but then go on to almost define your entire career, regardless of what you do next.

The 1995 coming of age comedy Clueless was such a film for its young star Alicia Silverstone.

Some can find attending high school hard work, but not Cher Horowitz (Silverstone); she is Miss Popularity at Bronson Alcott High, with all the other students pretty much in awe of her.

It’s a position she takes very seriously, that dictates her wardrobe choices on a day to day basis and her attitude.

So when new student Tai (Brittany Murphy) enters the fray without a clue, Cher and BFF Dionne (Stacey Dash) take it upon themselves to take her under their protective wing and make her their latest project.

It doesn’t take long before the notion of getting a boyfriend rocks up, with Cher and Dionne being particularly ruthless gatekeepers, only accepting the very best of suitors. But they soon discover, for Tai and themselves, that the course of true love never runs smooth.

If the fact that director Amy Heckerling’s film is being re-leased to celebrate its 30th anniversary doesn’t make you feel old, the fact that the opening track Kids in America – a cover version of Kim Wilde’s 1981 original– probably will.

Heckerling’s script is still a sparkling and charming experience, with its cutting social commentary still hitting the mark today. Its examination of cliques in the school system is still relevant, with a few name changes and attitudes, making it feel remarkably ageless.

The director did have some help with the script, as it’s based on Jane Austen’s 1815 novel Emma, but the extra layers of sass and teen rebellion certainly add some welcome contemporary touches.

Silverstone’s performance still shines, but you can see how it could have been a career albatross around her neck, with all roads, regardless of what she did after, leading back to this.

Some others fared better, such as Donald Faison (Scrubs) and Paul Rudd, who carved out long-lasting careers for themselves, unlike the tragedy that befell young rising talent Brittany Murphy, who died aged 32 from pneumonia.

It’s also been a tough act to follow for Heckerling, who despite also directing the cult classic Fast Times at Ridgemont High before it, has only managed to helm three films after it, one of which was the last of hers to date, 2012’s Vamps, that also saw her reunite with Silverstone once again, which did neither any favours.

Clueless however, still remains a timeless classic, that may well leave Gen Z scratching their heads, but for everyone else, it still remains clued up.