Columnist Kaitlyn McGarvey writes about "Legally Blonde" and its strong female lead character.
In honor of next Tuesday being National Drop Everything and Read Day (and in memory of Moonie, the dog who played Elle Woods' pet dog, who died in March), I have decided to dedicate this week's column to one of the most inspiring, charming and empowering movies to ever grace the silver screen: Legally Blonde. (Because the movie came out 15 years ago, I did include a handful of spoilers in this particular article.)
For those who are unaware, Legally Blonde tells the story of socialite Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon) and her quest for love. After her long-term boyfriend breaks up with her before transferring to Harvard, Elle decides to follow him to the school in order to win him back and to prove that while she is a valley girl, she can also be a serious lawyer. At first, she fails miserably in school. Then, through the help of a well-meaning friend, Elle becomes one of the brightest students in the law school. She is chosen to be one of four interns that take on a real court case and, by utilizing both her knowledge of the law and fashion, wins the case.
The movie is fantastic. There is a reason why Legally Blonde is at the top of my recommended movies on Netflix. Despite its age, people still have not forgotten about the movie or its charm. A lot of the popularity might have to do with the 2007 musical but, regardless, the movie still holds a prominent place in pop culture. I have little need to defend the movie or state why it is good. It seems as if everyone and their mother has seen Legally Blonde and enjoyed it.
However, I do feel the need to defend the movie and what it stands for. I was not aware, but some people do not think this “girl power” film is as inspiring or positive as everyone makes it out to be.
I have heard it argued before that Elle is not actually a figure to be looked up to and that the image she promotes for women is the exact opposite of what should be strived for. She won her case not because of the knowledge she learned, but by falling back on her shallow interests from before, therefore invalidating all the other work she had put into her career. She never needed to change. However, I politely disagree with those opinions.
Elle made her own way to the top. She learned how to be sophisticated and fit in with the high-brow crowd. Though she is able to use cosmopolitan-type information to point out the flaws in the case she is overseeing, that merely highlights that the case would have been lost had she not pointed them out. When Prof. Callahan flirts with Elle and she refuses his advances resulting in her terminated internship, she is not upset because she gets fired from the case (and her hopes of finding a job), she gets upset because she thinks she only got the position because Callahan wanted to hook up with her.
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If anything, Elle is one of the best figures a girl can have. She is smart, dedicated and savvy, but at the same time pampered true to herself and her own interests. The movie shows that people's capability to contribute to society should not be evaluated based only on their appearance. Barbie can be a lawyer, too. Also, if you work hard enough, you can achieve anything, and sometimes what you thought you wanted most is not what you need the most.
I sincerely believe that anyone and everyone should go and watch Legally Blonde if they have not already. It is a truly inspiring movie worth the watch.
Kaitlyn McGarvey is a freshman studying journalism. What do you think about Legally Blonde? Email her at km451814@ohio.edu or tweet @McGarveyKaitlyn.
