There is something so special and fun about Legally Blonde that feels as profound watching at 22 years old as it did at 12 years old.
Written by Megan Duggan
We will truly never be able to comprehend the impact that Robert Luketic’s Legally Blonde (2001) has had on young, opinionated girls. Growing up being told by family, or even sometimes complete strangers, that you should become a lawyer is something that many, many girls have experienced. Whether it be due to your strong-willed personality, stubbornness, or even general headstrong attitude, this was almost never meant as a compliment. When I was younger, I was told that on a handful of occasions, never truly understanding what that meant.
I always identified with strong female characters and dreamt of a life for myself where I could be those powerful, even intimidating, women that I adored on screen. I yearned to be taller, stronger, and successful in ways that don’t quite make sense to me in the present day, as those goals feel out of depth for my 8-year-old self. The day I first watched Legally Blonde, I felt like those comments from strangers were a compliment in my eyes. I was enamored by the way Elle Woods was able to combine tropes for female characters that are so often missing in media — being powerful and commanding while making it look truly fun and expressive.
With the film just turning 25 years old, there is truly no better time to revisit everything that made it feel so special and magical to younger me, and the likely countless others out there who felt moved or excited by (or even annoyed by) the iconic Elle Woods. Played by the extremely talented Reese Witherspoon, what made the portrayal of Elle Woods so groundbreaking was Witherspoon’s ability to seamlessly fuse her own personality and mannerisms into a character that is so distinctly different from her own identity, leaving viewers feeling as though Elle Woods was a real person. To me, the best performances are always the ones where you could imagine the character’s context and identity outside of the film’s runtime. Elle Woods is satirically feminine in a lot of ways, leaning into dozens of stereotypes about certain types of women, specifically the trope of the "dumb blonde." While she appears to lack intelligence at the beginning of the film, she is quickly revealed to be a fully-fleshed out and complex character who grows through the entirety of the film. Her interests change down to her romantic pursuits, without ever sacrificing her own identity. Elle Woods remains one of the most culturally relevant movie characters of the 2000s, with her notable lines and personality traits continuing to be referenced, from internet reactions and memes to merchandise. Elle Woods truly just is that girl.
There is absolutely no way to have a conversation about Legally Blonde without mentioning Miss Jennifer Coolidge, who plays Paulette Bonafonté (later Paulette Parcelle). There is truly no impression in this world that I do as often as Paulette, quoting one of her quintessential lines like "I’m takin’ the dog, dumbass!" The bend and snap, created by Elle, Paulette, and the other ladies at the salon, remains one of the most iconic scenes of any movie I have ever seen. There is truly nothing like watching Jennifer Coolidge in her element, whether that be saying some outrageous line or absolutely captivating a man with a move like the bend and snap. I could talk about this scene for days on end. Coolidge’s performance throughout is absolutely perfect as she grapples with the complexities of womanhood, being extremely insecure in herself while continuously empowering the women around her for the same traits she possesses but refuses to see. Her relationship with Elle is so beautiful, and the dynamic between Collidge and Witherspoon is just electric to watch.
No matter how good or bad a film is, I am always excited to see Luke Wilson playing Emmett Richmond. This casting speaks to the female gaze in a way that is perfectly in opposition to Warner (Matthew Davis), Elle’s boyfriend at the start of the film. The clear dichotomy between these two men subverts societal expectations placed upon Elle and challenges our own perception of attraction as viewers. Emmett’s quiet yet clever demeanour and his admiration of Elle cause us to question our expectations as viewers. I absolutely loved the dynamic between Elle and Emmett, and found their chemistry to be extremely charming. Wilson remains one of my favourite love interests to see on screen, and this film would not be the same without his charming yet subtle presence.
But the entire cast of this film is extremely impressive, with performances from Selma Blair, Victor Garber, Holland Taylor, Linda Cardellini, and more.
I absolutely adore this film. There is something so special and fun about it that feels as profound watching at 22 years old as it did at 12 years old. Today, I am not a lawyer, nor did I ever even apply to law school. Instead, I went to film school, which made much more sense for me, where I learned about the emotional power of movies like Legally Blonde that shaped my childhood and inspired me every single time I watched. Today, Elle Woods remains a cultural icon, and I am so glad that this film played such a significant role in my youth.
Our review of "Elle" here
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