Prime Video's new series, 'Elle,' delves into the formative high school years of Elle Woods, the character made famous by Reese Witherspoon in the 'Legally Blonde' films. The prequel, executive produced by Witherspoon, stars Lexi Minetree as a younger Elle.
The series opens in 1995 with Elle celebrating her birthday in Beverly Hills, surrounded by pink decor and her supportive parents, Eva (June Diane Raphael) and Wyatt (Tom Everett Scott). Her life takes a turn when her father, a plastic surgeon, needs to relocate them to Seattle temporarily to avoid public scrutiny after a patient's surgery goes awry. To ease the transition, Elle receives a Chihuahua named Bruiser from her mother.
Upon arriving in Seattle, Elle's bright, pink-clad persona clashes with the muted, earth-toned fashion of her new school. Her attempts to connect with classmates are met with confusion and rejection, highlighting her status as an outsider. Even an attempt to join the cheerleading squad, who appear to cheer for themselves, proves challenging. A moment of solace is found with Donna (Amy Pietz), the school secretary, who offers Elle a sympathetic ear and allows her to use the office as a refuge during lunch.
Navigating New Challenges
Elle's efforts to help the school's support staff, using Donna as an example during a student auction, lead to unforeseen consequences. Her praise for Donna inadvertently results in the secretary's dismissal. The series aims to show how the determined and optimistic Elle began to develop the confidence that would later lead her to Harvard Law School, despite prevailing stereotypes.
Critics have noted that while the series provides nods to the original films and features a solid performance from Minetree as the sunny-dispositioned Elle, it may not offer substantial new insights for long-time fans. The narrative, focusing on a misfit navigating an unwelcoming environment, could arguably have served any coming-of-age character, with Elle's specific traits feeling somewhat secondary to the established IP. June Diane Raphael is recognized for her role as Elle's mother, Eva, providing a grounded presence that supports Minetree's portrayal.