If you're not familiar, on the eve of their graduation from college, Elle's (Reese Witherspoon) boyfriend , Warner (Matthew Davis), dumps her because it's time for him to get serious. 'If he's going to be a senator by the time he's thirty, he needs to marry a Jackie, not a Marilyn.' (If you don't know that he's a jerk from this statement alone, then pay closer attention. The fact that he thinks he'd get elected at 30 and is equating himself with JFK... That says it all.)
After consoling herself with throwing a box of chocolates at 'Lucky' from General Hospital, she decides that she's going to prove to Warner that she's serious enough to be his girl friend. That means following him to Harvard Law School. Elle has a 4.0, lots of extracurriculars (she's the president of her Delta Nu chapter) and after diligently studying, got a 179 on her LSAT, which leads to her being admitted to Harvard.
The scene where she first encounters Warner is classic.
Elle: "Warner?! Oh my God, I completely forgot you were going here!"
Warner: "What're you talking about? You're not here to see me?"
"No, silly. I go here."
"You go where?"
"Harvard. Law school."
"You got into Harvard Law?"
"What, like it's hard?"
When she arrives at Harvard, life doesn't go the way she expects. People look down on her because she's perky and blonde. Classes are much more intense than undergrad -- she gets kicked out of her 1st class because she didn't know to do the reading -- and the obnoxious girl, Vivian (Selma Blair), who supported her ejection from Stromwell's class, turns out to be Warner's fiancée! (He even uses Elle's nickname 'Pooh Bear,' when her talks to Vivian -- classy guy, I'm telling you.)
Most of the other students treat her like she's a Malibu Barbie who should stick to her tanning and beach parties. She strikes up a friendship with a manicurist, Paulette (Jennifer Coolidge), at a local salon. After Vivian tries to humiliate Elle (she tells Elle that it's a costume party and when Elle shows up up as a sexy bunny, no one else is wearing a costume), Elle decides she's had enough. She's done being nice.
This party is a pivotal moment for Elle. She stops just smiling when she's insulted: (to Vivian) "Thanks for inviting me, girl. This party is super fun. Except, when I dress up as a frigid bitch, I try not to look so constipated." She discovers just how little Warner thinks of her:
Elle: "You know, I feel like we barely get to see each other since we've been here."
"Oh, I know. I'm so busy with these case studies and hypos."
"I know what you mean. I can't imagine doing all this and Callahan's internship next year. It's gonna be so much."
"Oh, Elle, come on, you're never gonna get the grades to qualify for one of those spots. You're not smart enough, sweetie." (Gaslighting at its finest.)
"Wait, am I on glue, or did we not get into the same law school, Warner?"
"Well, yeah, but —"
"But what? We took the same LSATs and we're taking the same classes —"
"I know, but come on, Elle, be serious. You can do something more valuable with your time. "
She nods sadly, eyes glistening.
"I'm never be good enough for you, am I?"
She decides they all can stuff it, buys a Mac (everyone else uses PCs), and starts to stand out in her classes (in a good way). She helps Paulette get her bulldog back from her creep of an ex. She gets selected for Professor Callahan's internship.
I won't spoil what happens during the internship or how she's able to help fellow Delta Nu, Brooke Taylor-Wyndham (Ally Walker), avoid a murder conviction. Just know it's a lot of fun. (Bend and snap, everyone!)
The movie ends with their class graduation. Elle gives the class-elected speaker address. We get little notes that tell what happened to everyone. The pop song by Hoku, Perfect Day, is, well, perfect for the moment, and we fade to black with Elle smiling, looking off to her bright future.
Thinking about this movie and why I love it 20+ years later, it comes back to its message about being and believing in yourself. The obvious message is not to judge a book by its cover, but it's that subtler message that means so much more. Elle sums it up in her closing speech: first impressions are not always correct, you must always have faith in people, and most important, you must always have faith in yourself.
Most obviously, first impressions are not always correct. Elle is Malibu Barbie at Harvard, a joke who doesn't belong. But she does belong, has the smarts to be there, and graduates with a job at one of the most prestigious law firms in Boston. Warner seems like the perfect guy -- rich, good looking, successful. By the end, we know he's nothing to write home about. Vivian isn't a stuck-up super-witch. Brian isn't a creeper. Brooke didn't just marry her rich older husband because of daddy issues.
Second, you must always have faith in people. Elle treats everyone with respect and kindness. Her faith in the goodness and worth of others allows those around her to blossom. At the beginning of the movie, side characters are awkward, mousy, and/or prickly. They are mean and condescending to her. But by the end of the movie, being around her has helped them become comfortable in their own skins. Throughout the movie, Paulette has had a huge crush on the UPS guy (and it's obvious he likes her, too). Friendship with Elle helps Paulette have the confidence to say more than "fine" to the man, which breaks the ice for her happily-ever-after.
Finally, you must always have faith in yourself. Elle's sense of self is pretty indomitable. It isn't always unwaivering (cue inspiring sound byte from Stromwell), because everyone has bad days. But throughout the film, she had faith in her own competence and worth and that's what sustained her through challenges and helped her to succeed. When given a challenge, she never questioned whether she had the ability to do it. She just knew she had to work hard to make it happen. That's a lesson that we all can embrace.
We all struggle with insecurity at different moments. It's what drives people to shove people aside, use slurs and say derogatory things, make fun of others's weaknesses, puff ourselves with bravado, retaliate when hurt, refuse to apologize or admit we were wrong, put value in things and to only care about ourselves. Having faith in yourself can help you avoid these shortcomings.
All in all, it's a great movie to check out. Yes, it requires a little suspension of belief, but it's got plenty of laughs for women and for men.
My rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
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