When “Legally Blonde” got here out in 2001, it blew up the field workplace. Grossing about six occasions its $18 million funds and spawning each a sequel (“Legally Blonde 2: Pink, White, & Blonde”) and a Broadway musical, to not point out innumerable Elle Woods Halloween costumes, “Legally Blonde” has change into an authorized cultural touchstone.
It was additionally the film that — for all intents and functions — launched Reese Witherspoon’s profession. She’d had notable turns in movies like “Merciless Intentions” and “Election,” however “Legally Blonde” was the undertaking that made Witherspoon an authorized star. And whereas she’s starred in dozens of films and TV exhibits since, she’s at all times held a public torch for “Blonde” and for Woods.
So it was understandably thrilling in 2024 when it was introduced that Witherspoon and her Hiya Sunshine manufacturing shingle would produce a prequel for Prime Video. Titled “Elle,” the sequence is about within the mid ‘90s, when Woods is a junior in highschool. After her plastic surgeon dad (Tom Everett Scott) bungles a Hollywood starlet’s nostril job, her household flees city to put low in Seattle.
It goes about in addition to you’d count on to start with, with the pink and sunny Elle (Lexi Minetree) going through cultural shock as she knuckles down on her new gray, wet life. At Rainier West Excessive, her fellow college students hate her try-hard angle and basic L.A. vibe, claiming they’d all sooner die than go to California — one thing that appears laborious to imagine given the present is about in the course of the heyday of each “Beverly Hills: 90210” and “Melrose Place.” When Elle tries to slot in with the grunge-loving scholar physique, cringily bedazzling a Nirvana t-shirt with little coronary heart sequins, it fails the coed stink take a look at virtually instantly.
Whereas the thought of Elle Woods being thrust into mid ‘90s Seattle is cute sufficient on paper, in observe it feels skinny and compelled. “Legally Blonde” was set in a little bit of a fantasy world, the place actuality is heightened and individuals are discovered responsible of homicide due to their perm upkeep routines, nevertheless it at the least all felt like campy enjoyable. In “Elle,” Seattle is a dour hellhole filled with gloomy teenagers — none of whom appear conscious that Kurt Cobain died over a 12 months earlier than this present is meant to begin.
Elle finds her individuals ultimately, although, bonding first with highschool secretary Donna (Amy Pietz) earlier than falling in with sort however odd outsiders Dustin (Zac Looker) and Liz (Gabrielle Policano.) She even will get a crush on a sort however bland cross nation athlete (Jacob Moskovitz), solely to seek out out that he’s already courting Shannon (Danielle Chand), a fashion-loving senior she bonds with spontaneously after a troublesome first week. Elle additionally retains in contact with a pal again dwelling (Jessica Belkin), who comes to go to midseason if solely to remind Elle of how a lot Seattle has supposedly modified her.
If that feels like a plot level you’ve heard earlier than in different “fish out of water” tales, it’s as a result of you’ve got. A lot of “Elle’s” plot is reheated pap, together with plot factors which can be direct ripoffs of (or references to, in case you’re being beneficiant) the unique plot of “Legally Blonde.” Teen Elle is tricked into attending a celebration she’s scandalously underdressed for, a la the authorized mixer within the unique movie. She additionally susses out a criminal offense based mostly on a vogue don’t, makes a video documentary to use for a prestigious internship, and wins over a bitchy fellow scholar simply by utilizing kindness and perseverance.
“Elle’s” plot isn’t all highschool drama, although. There’s additionally gentle authorized intrigue, together with a principal (Matt Oberg) suspected of embezzling college funds, some gentle marital strife between Elle’s dad and mom (Tom Everett Scott and June Diane Raphael), and no matter’s occurring with college superintendent and mayoral candidate Dean Wilson (the late James Van Der Beek in his closing position.)
Regardless of a bang-up supporting solid, although, virtually each episode of “Elle” appears to pull. Every episode appears needlessly tedious, working between 45-60 minutes lengthy when they need to be a fast and enjoyable 30. Beats which can be telegraphed from Episode 1 drag out endlessly and even enjoyable bits, just like the back-and-forth banter between Elle and her mother is marred by an virtually comical quantity of product placement. In reality, inside the first 10 minutes of the present, there are hamfisted references to L’Oreal, Nexus hair merchandise, Dove soaps and Ferrero Rocher. It’s oppressive, awkward and insufferable, particularly contemplating how ably different Prime Video exhibits (like “Off Campus”) appear to have handled their placements. With a second season already ordered, although, it’s clear that Prime Video believes within the present (and its profitability) sufficient to present it an opportunity.
“Legally Blonde” was enjoyable, contemporary and brilliantly paced, however “Elle” is dour, boring and tedious. It’s unlucky, actually: It’s clear that Witherspoon, Hiya Sunshine and showrunners Laura Kittrell and Caroline Dries love the supply materials, however maybe by making an attempt to seize lightning in a bottle as soon as once more they’ve solely served to dim Elle’s shine.
“Elle” premieres Wednesday on Prime Video.
