It is not a perfect day, and that might be okay. Prime Video’s Elle brings us back to the world of Legally Blonde, while the pre-Harvard heroine makes a case for the “old being the new new.”
Set six years before Legally Blonde, Elle follows the iconic blonde prodigy (Lexi Minetree) as a high school student adjusting to life in Seattle, far away from the luxurious Bel-Air. Cultural whiplash challenges her to discover her authentic self as she gets to the bottom of a scandal, along with the highs and lows of teen drama.
The series produces a breakout talent in Lexi Minetree, who embodies the heart, mind, and soul of the icon originally portrayed by Reese Witherspoon, now an executive producer. Showrunners Laura Kittrell and Caroline Dries, and director Jason Moore pour out their affection for Elle Woods in a story that honours her spirit. Apart from nuance involving settings and characters, Elle is arguably already Legally Blonde.
Origin Story With A Twist
Prime Video’s Elle seems more like a prequel in name only. This series works better as a reimagining because of its Legally Blonde parallels. Harvard is traded for a high school in Seattle. Even Elle’s fellow high schoolers parallel her future scholastic peers. Other than Mr. and Mrs. Woods and Bruiser, of course, none of Legally Blonde‘s supporting characters show up. Instead, the young Seattleites fill that void as their spiritual counterparts.
Woods does not willingly move to Seattle, but tries to make the best of it and show everyone what she is made of. She does not choose to become a lawyer in hopes of winning a man back initially. However, she chooses to stand up for what is right as a conspiracy unravels at her new school, even if it means standing alone. Elle’s writing team paints a picture resembling Legally Blonde’s storyline until episode four subverts expectations with a jaw-dropping twist. That episode marks a pivotal turn for the series that further establishes an alternate catalyst for Elle’s pursuit of justice. It also allows the series to step out of the shadows of its successor for a moment.
Elle! True Seattle Story
Elle’s storyline peaks between episodes four and seven, through sharp pacing, palpable tension, and clever misdirection. Although Elle’s signature “blonde-with-a-brain” persona is left intact, the writers drop focus on replicating Legally Blonde’s formula in favor of keeping their story fresh. Ironically, the series plays out more like a Nancy Drew mystery during this time, as Elle and her team huddle to unroot corruption. Not only does that direction fit the plot better than expected, but it also sustains interest and allows us to grow closer to her Seattle circle.
Episode eight, on the other hand, is the weakest. For a season finale, it comes across as a misplaced second-season premiere. There is a clear, satisfying resolution to the mystery plot, with a cliffhanger setting up a redemption arc worth exploring in Season 2. Yes, Elle has already been renewed for another season. Season one’s finale undercuts that arc with a quick conflict resolution and another cliffhanger that’s less impactful and more cliché.
A Star Is Born
The cast remains consistent throughout the freshman season. Lexi Minetree’s light as the titular star never dims. Her performance can easily convince you of her destiny to walk in the footsteps of the best blonde lawyer the fictional world will ever know. She is essentially a “miniature Reese Witherspoon,” having all of her quirks and mannerisms down to a tee. Despite the uncanny resemblances, she is not focused on giving a standout celebrity impression. There is more to this legendary blonde than meets the eye, especially at that age, and she wants you to know it.
Her parents, Wyatt and Eva, played by June Diane Raphael and Tom Everett Scott, are given more room to breathe storywise, her mom more so. Both of them are instrumental plot devices and provide additional comic relief. Eva, however, goes a step further, acting as a flawed, loving mother and a possible foil to her daughter. As entertaining as they are, Elle’s Seattle friends, or “frenemy” in one case, are her true equals. Gabrielle Policano, Zac Looker, Jacob Moskovitz, and Chandler Kinney comprise the squad as Liz, Dustin, Miles, and Kimberly, respectively. They each match one of her future classmates in Harvard, in terms of role and personality, to an extent. Liz is the “Enid”, Dustin is the “Emmett”, Miles is the “Warner”, and Kimberly is the “Vivian.”
Smells Like Teen Spirit
Policano’s Liz is my favourite out of all the supporting players. She simultaneously manifests Elle’s exact opposite and noble kindred spirit in her character. Initially standoffish and pushed away by her Barbie-like vibes, she emerges as a great friend in her corner with sage wisdom. She teaches her the importance of owning your identity and not valuing anyone else’s opinion of it. Her mellow, rock-and-roll attitude seamlessly meshes with Elle’s pink, butterfly behaviour, thanks to their magnetic chemistry. Kinney’s Kimberly is the mean girl who could not stand our protagonist until she begrudgingly learns to respect her, or at least tolerate her. Ironically, I could not stand her until I learnt to respect her. She is a hypocritical bully, but never boring, thanks to Kinney’s layered portrayal.
Dustin and Miles, played by Zac Looker and Jacob Moskovitz, are the charming male leads who bring chaos with them everywhere they go. These two have nothing in common except one person. Dustin is an introverted “skater-bro” and a passionate journalist, and Miles is the school’s athletic golden boy. Both have strong actors behind them with something unique to offer. They are also a big reason why this show is a teen drama. Take that as you will.
Elle Stands Tall on Shaky Ground
I enjoyed Prime Video’s Elle more than I thought I would, but this prequel is not without some blemishes. Issues stem from a small dip in confidence in its premise. There is incredible talent on both sides of the camera, and the affection for Legally Blonde’s culture is unquestionable. The series went from being entertaining to exciting the minute its true storyline revealed itself. Episode 7 should have been the season finale. It neatly wrapped up the conspiracy angle and placed a cliffhanger for a storyline that should have only been explored in Season 2.
Division among Legally Blonde fans is expected, while casual viewers looking for a good time should not be disappointed. The show’s brightest light comes from Lexi Minetree, who gives her character new life, leaving her spirit unbroken. Her cast pushes and pulls her into an exciting world, giving fans reasons to come back for more.
