There are so many reasons that Legally Blonde is one of my all-time favorite comfort films. For starters, it’s hilarious. Elle Woods introducing Bruiser Woods (her tiny dog) and herself as “Gemini vegetarians” gets me every single time. Reese Witherspoon does such an *amazing* job balancing comical and earnest in her performance as Elle that it’s mesmerizing. And the fashion in this movie is so on point! Special shoutout to Jennifer Coolidge as Pauline in a cropped denim jacket with floral print on the shoulders- she’s a real one.
This is the kind of movie that I can count on. The storyline is so simple and sweet that it always lifts my spirits—like there’s no way in hell that I walk away from this movie *not* believing in myself, you know what I mean? Watching it most recently though, I felt especially inspired by what this movie says about female friendship. There are so many different types of female relationships portrayed too. Ultimately Elle’s success is a combination of her leaning on the women in her life for support, and having their backs in turn.
My favorite story arc in this movie is the trajectory of Vivian and Elle’s friendship. They are so clearly set up to be foils for one another. According to d-bag Warner, Elle is the “Marilyn” and Vivian is the “Jackie” (eye roll because that’s such a sexist dichotomy). The truth is that both Elle and Vivian have a lot in common, but they both need to learn to see past each other’s outward stereotypes first.
Even though Vivian and Elle are made out to be polar opposites at the beginning of the movie, there’s this really cool reversal that takes place at Vivian’s party where you see that they’re really no different—I mean, they’re both vying for the same douchey boyfriend, let’s be real. Right after Elle makes *the* iconic comeback at Vivian, “I like your costume too! Except when I dress up as a frigid bitch, I try not to look so constipated,” there is this super weird moment that breaks Vivian’s character. Her friend goes, “Don’t worry honey, you have the ring” and then Vivian holds out her hand, and they both tilt their heads, stare at the ring and let out this sigh.
It’s just so weird because Elle is supposed to be the ditzy vapid girl who only goes to Harvard to get a man, but in that moment, you see that Vivian wants the same thing. The main difference between the two is that Vivian starts off as cruel, catty and competitive towards other women whereas Elle is always cooperative and friendly; she’s a sorority girl after all. Still, they both need to ditch their pursuit of the same man and come together to succeed. And it’s literally amazing when they do!
- Etta Goodridge
May 26, 2022
