Elle Review: 6 Reasons the Legally Blonde Prequel Is Worth Watching

From sharp writing and a star-making performance by Lexi Minetree to nostalgic 1990s references, here's why Amazon Prime's Elle is one of the year's most enjoyable surprises

There’s a scene in Amazon Prime’s new series Elle, where our Elle Woods’ best friend from LA, Madison, is visiting her. Madison points out that Elle’s hair is looking flat, a little too Seattle. The two stare at their reflections in the mirror when Elle thanks Madison and says:

“Theres no one here to tell me when my outer being no longer aligns with my inner spirit.”

This is why this show is so good.

Funny, smart, effortless, brilliant, a little cheesy – it hits all the right spots for a genuinely enjoyable watch.

A prequel to one of the most perfect films of our generation, Legally Blonde, starring Reese Witherspoon, Elle, is the story of our star Elle Woods entering her freshman year in high school. She has grand plans to experience everything while being everything to everyone. But all of this changes when her father’s scandal, a botched nose job to an unnamed actress, forces them to flee and hide away in grey, rainy, Seattle.

Tom Everette Scott as Wyatt Woods, Lexi Minetree as Elle Woods, June Diane Raphael as Eva Woods

Here our half glass full, pink leaning, celebrity immersed protagonist, faces her greatest challenge. The teenagers in Seattle are different. They wear all shades of monotones, they don’t care about school cheer (gasp!), they are into Zines, mosh pits, are socially aware, politically savvy, and would “never set foot in California.”

So, of course, Elle in her wedges, bleach blond hair and matching pink outfits, is a literal alien to them and they to her.

The show is far from perfect – I mean that’s asking a lot from any show these days – but it is very good. And being very good in the era of over saturated bad content across multiple streaming platforms is a rare and wonderful thing.

Is the show good because it’s based on the iconic Legally Blonde? A world many of us know, understand, go back to? Maybe.

But after having binged the show over a weekend, I can honestly say given various elements, from excellent writing to high stakes and fun characters, that Elle would and should stand out on its own.

Here are my six reasons on why you should watch Elle now streaming on Amazon Prime.

---

The Writing

There are so many good liners on Elle

I can’t tell you how refreshing it is to watch a show and think, huh, that’s clever, that’s funny, that’s good writing. OK, sure, elements of the plot are at times is a bit far-fetched, but this is expected for the genre, especially when we consider the tone of the original film. The dialogue is fun, engaging, and witty. Particularly in the case of Elle, who balances the perfect mix of light bubbly, playful, naïve charm, with someone who is smart, quick witted, and complex. Speaking of which…

The Perfect Elle Woods

Lexi Minetree is a talent to keep an eye on

I don’t know how Witherspoon (who is one of executive producers) found Lexi Minetree, but what a talent. She perfectly executes a genuine Elle Woods as a teenager, able to channel Witherspoon’s original performance down to her walk, hands gestures, laughs and sobs, but adds something that feels uniquely her. She is the perfect actress to bring Elle back to our screens without making her feel like a spoof or caricature but instead like a very real character. Bravo.

Hilarious and Complex Eva Woods

June Diane Raphael was excellent as Eva Woods

What I wasn’t expecting was to love getting to know Elle’s mother Eva Woods. Played by June Diane Raphael, who by the was is an absolute joy to watch in this role, Eva is funny, interesting, a great mother, a good wife, but is also going through some stuff.

I enjoyed watching her grapple with figuring out who she has been, who she is now, who she wants be, in this new life that she wasn’t expecting to have. I was concerned for a moment that she might do the cliché thing and have an affair with the superintendent Dean Wilson, but I was glad that her search for meaning of her life will project itself in a more meaningful, less toxic way.

She’s also a great mother, with very realistic and understandable shortcomings given her privilege and background. The relationship, back and forth and banter between her and Elle is enjoyable, and echoes a much less annoying and obnoxious version of Lorelai and Rory Gilmore dynamic.

I have to add that they do however need to develop the father, Wyatt Woods. He’s kind and dotting but a little flat as a character.

1990s Pop Culture References

The Hugh Grant reference felt like a conversation that actually would happen in 1995

In the words of the kids these days, I was “gagged” at every specific, mainstream and niche reference of 90s (80s as well in some cases) films, TV shows, and pop culture. Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Xena: Warrior Princess, Melrose Place, all of it was done so well, woven into conversations, pulling out the narrative threads of some of these shows to reflect what Elle was experiencing, was really hilarious and helped make the time period feel believable.

I loved that Marlena Evans of Days of our Lives (played by the wonderful Deirdre Hal who recently celebrated 50 years as the iconic doctor on the iconic soap opera) was mentioned more than in conversations between Elle and Eva – plot and timeline accurate too!

I was especially delighted when Elle’s mother Eva mentioned Hugh Grant’s infamous scandal in passing to the neighbours commenting “I don’t think he’ll recover from this.” Not only was this so perfectly apt for the time but was exactly the type of thing someone like Eva would say.

I just wonder if Gen Z and young millennials, who I assume are supposed to be the target audience for this show, are watching this, wouldn’t they feel a bit lost? These references could have been presented in a more visual way for them to land and at least encourage audiences who aren’t aware to look them up. Regardless, I like to imagine this show was written for people like me, and if so, they were brilliant additions.

Music Culture

No one on this show was looking down at a phone they were listening to music instead

Not only is the story rich in music and concert going culture - it’s so refreshing to see a show where teenagers, and everyoen actually, not glued to their phones - but also, the soundtrack of season one is so good!

From the opening theme song choice of Only Happy When it Rains by Garbage (what a choice!) to a collection of bangers, I was bopping right along in every other scene. From what I wrote down in my note book, there was Fantasy by Mariah Carey, Just A Girl by No Doubt in a very deliciously cringe karaoke scene, Don’t Stop Me Now by Queen, Dreams by the Cranberries, Creep by Radiohead and I’m sure Cotton Eye Jo by Rednex was there somewhere too. Honestly, it was a visual playlist of some epic 90s and pre-90s music.

Good Supporting Cast

Chandler Kinney is also another talent to watch!

The cast of character around Elle are interesting. Madison her LA bestie is hilarious, Lizz her potentially new Seattle bestie is a little bit too cool and nowhere near grateful enough as a character, but she works in the story. Kimberly her high school nemesis, is somewhat of a cliché, but has an interesting back story and is performed wonderfully by actress Chandler Kinney. Elle’s two love interested Dustin and Miles are different but have enough similarities and redeeming qualities that its believable she would be confused by the two. Dustin I must say feels a little too on the nose and less believable of the two.