Elle Review
Omigod, you guys! Elle is back! It’s the 25th anniversary of Legally Blonde, a movie near and dear to the hearts of people across the world. As a millennial woman myself, the impact of Legally Blonde, and Elle Woods specifically, is impossible to understate. Elle Woods became a beloved feminist icon when she graced our screens in 2001 and has remained such ever since. She inspired a generation of women (including myself!) to be bold, be themselves, and to never let anyone underestimate them. So when a prequel series was announced, it was fair for fans to be apprehensive. The most widespread complaint on the internet when Elle was announced was: haven’t we already watched Elle learn this lesson? Well, we finally have our answer and it’s no – not entirely.
Elle opens with a gorgeous homage to the opening of Legally Blonde. Instead of signing a preemptive congratulatory card for Elle’s engagement, the camera follows loved ones signing a card for Elle’s 16th birthday. We see Elle excitedly planning out her junior year only to have her world turned upside down when a faux pas in her father’s career uproots her family to LA’s antithesis: Seattle, Washington. Plucked from the sunny warm LA and dropped into rainy grey (and VERY plaid) Seattle, Elle struggles to find her footing.
The first two episodes are filled with the most direct references to the film. They feel like a polite fan service, but fade away quickly enough to help the series standout in its own way. Subtle nods to her future in law are sprinkled throughout the remainder of the show. We see it in Elle’s vocabulary, her drive, her protectiveness over her friends’ secrets, and her ability to gather and analyze details. Some plot points are rehashed, but they’re written in such a way that Elle’s immaturity is on display. This is not yet the same girl who waltzed through the doors of Harvard’s halls and asked “What, like it’s hard?” when her waitlisted ex couldn’t believe she was accepted. Yes, on a surface level, the series is following Elle finding her way in Seattle the same way she found her way in Harvard. But taking place six years prior to the move, in 1995, this version of Elle is slightly less refined.
This juvenile Elle, portrayed by Lexi Minetree, is fashionable and well put together, but is clearly still finding herself. She clearly has a lot to learn as things aren’t coming to her as easily in Seattle which makes her desperate to find a way out. Only her pursuit out of Seattle (via a Cosmo Girl internship she applies to) is what helps her realize this is where she was meant to be. A highlight of Elle is how it pieces together how our titular character will ultimately grow into the woman we meet in Legally Blonde – and how this is only possible after her time in Seattle. The Elle Woods in Legally Blonde would have never worn her Playboy Bunny outfit to a non-costume party with such stride had she not befriended Liz in Seattle. She wouldn’t have been so persistent to prove herself in her law classes had she not met her friend Dustin. The series even fills the movie’s “mean girl” role of Vivian with a new face, Kimberly, who Elle is determined to prove is wrong about her.
Elle is trying to grapple with gaining social status at her new school, whether she should investigate the suspicious red flags that keep popping up around her principal, a forbidden crush, a Cosmo internship application that could help her get back home to LA, and righting her wrongs which caused a support staff member she cared for to get fired. Elle also explores Elle’s relationship with her mother and the friction that presents itself in mother-teen relationships when both parties have different goals in mind for each other. This was a pleasantly surprising aspect of the series since Elle’s parents are only shown in a quick scene in the movie questioning, but ultimately supporting, her decision to apply to Harvard. It’s also neatly juxtaposed by showing Liz’s relationship to her mother, Donna, both of whom Elle develops meaningful relationships with.
Lexi Minetree is positively radiant as Elle Woods. Her characterization of Elle is so eerily close to the legendary Reese Witherspoon’s that even her crying feels like watching a young Reese. Minetree’s cadence and delivery of lines is absolutely flawless. She captures Elle boldly and perfectly. Whoever stepped into this role was going to have big heels to fill and Minetree not only delivers, but exceeds. Minetree feels just as youthful, but wise as Witherspoon did. Her most impressive trait is just how well she matches – and even rivals – Reese Witherspoon’s charisma. Commanding with charisma and kindness are central aspects of Elle’s personality. No matter who she is on screen with, Minetree is bright and pulls you in. It feels impossible not to root for her every step of the way. This is what makes the turnaround of her Seattle classmates so believable. The love and care she put into portraying a character who means so much to so many is clear. She truly is the fun and fearless Cosmo Girl Elle is written to be.
Elle reminds us once again that Elle Woods isn’t – and never was – simply a vapid stereotype. It shows us that sometimes life brings us into uncomfortable places to grow in ways we otherwise wouldn’t have. So while aspects of Elle mirror Legally Blonde, Elle drives home that our experiences shape us into who we are and who we will become. Even a self-assured, poised woman like Elle was also once a teen who needed the help of her friends to become that woman.
At its heart, Elle shows us how Elle Woods blossoms into that bold law student who is not to be underestimated. Where she is unwavering in her opinions and sense of self in Legally Blonde, Elle introduces us to a version of the character who second guesses herself. She’s still just 16 trying to find herself; a time in life millennials who grew up with Elle Woods can reminisce on and younger audiences can relate to. It’s a great watch for adult audiences who want to revisit the character, but an even better watch for preteens and teens. The latter of which feel like an underserved population in media at the moment. The central message of the movie and prequel series is the same and is stated by one of the characters directly in Elle: “Sometimes friction means you’re in the right place.”
