Legally Blonde: A Gendered Analysis

Hazel Marie A. Perez

COMM 141 │ Prof. Elizabeth L. Enriquez, PhD
15 March 2018
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I. About Legally Blonde

 Legally Blonde is a 2001 American comedy film based on the novel of the same name
by Amanda Brown.
 The box office success led to a 2003 sequel, Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde, a
2009 direct-to-DVD spin-off, Legally Blondes, and a musical in 2007 entitled Legally
Blonde: The Musical.

II. Synopsis
The film tells the story of Elle Woods, a Fashion Merchandising student and sorority president
from Los Angeles, California who attempts to win back Warner, her ex-boyfriend, by getting
a law degree at the same school where he has enrolled, Harvard Law School. Upon arriving at
Harvard, Elle struggles to adjust to her new environment and keep up with all her law
subjects. However after months of dramatic improvement, Elle, along with Warner, Vivian, and
Enid, is given an internship at their professor's law firm where they handle the case of Brooke
Windham. Elle does great in her internship and is seen to be really taking law school seriously
already. In the end, Elle gets to defend Brooke in her trial after Brooke fires Professor Callahan
for hitting on Elle. Elle wins her first case and was able to free Brooke from all charges. She
finally cuts her ties with Warner who unsuccessfully attempted to get back with her after she
won the trial. Two years later, Elle graduates from Harvard and gives the graduation speech. It
was revealed through captions she had been dating Emmett since the trial and he plans to
propose to her later that night.

III. Characters
NAME ROLE DESCRIPTION
Elle Woods the film's protagonist, a
fashion merchandising
graduate now studying
at Harvard Law School
Margot and Elle's sorority sisters and
Serena closest friends
Warner Elle's ex-boyfriend, also a
Huntington III law student at Harvard
Vivian Warner's fiancée, also a
Kensington law student at Harvard
Emmett an associate at
HOW ARE THEY PRESENTED?
Elle is the rich, blonde, sorority girl who is
passionate about fashion and the color pink. She is
confident, driven, and determined when it comes to
achieving her goals. She can be a little bit too
emotional but she is very kind and loyal to her
friends.
Margot and Serena are portrayed as the usual
sorority girls who are dumb, superficial, obsessed
with their looks, and whose main goal in life is to be
married to the perfect guy. They are however very
loyal to Elle.
Warner is the stereotypical rich and handsome
boyfriend who breaks up with Elle because of his
political ambitions. He is portrayed as an indecisive
guy who cannot really make up his mind about
Vivian and Elle.
Vivian is the successful, beautiful, and educated
woman used as the rival of the protagonist in a love
triangle. In contrast to Elle, she is very serious and
at times a bit boring.
Emmett is smart, caring, and very supportive of
 Richmond Callahan's law firm; Elle's
love interest
Paulette Elle's manicurist and
Bonafonté good friend
Prof. Callahan a middle-aged professor
at Harvard law school
and owner of the law
firm where Elle interns
Brooke Taylor a famous fitness
-Windham instructor accused of
murdering her husband;
Elle's former sorority
sister
Enid Wexler Elle's classmate; a
lesbian activist; PhD in
Women's studies
Elle. He always encourages Elle to believe in herself.
Paulette is a middle-aged woman who struggles
with self-confidence after a recent break-up with her
ex-husband. Elle helps her gain her self-esteem
back while Paulette serves as Elle's confidante.
He is presented as a very good lawyer and law
professor. However, he is also a sexist as he thinks
lowly of women. He only gives Vivian menial tasks
in the firm and gives Elle the internship slot
because of her looks.
She is the young, sexy, and beautiful woman who is
often thought of as a gold digger for marrying a
much older man. However in this film, Brooke really
loved her husband.
Enid is presented as the abrasive, very opinionated
lesbian who does not want anything to do with the
very girly Elle.

She is however portrayed as being educated and

really smart. She is also selected for the prestigious
internship.

She gets very limited air time and could be

Enrique Brooke's pool boy and
Salvatore alleged lover, he is a
primary witness in her
murder case
considered as just a safe token gay character.
Enrique is presented as the stereotypical sassy,
closeted gay who loves Cher and is knowledgeable
in fashion and designer items.
The way they presented Enrique as a Latino also
reinforces the stereotype that Latinos are meant for
jobs like pool boys or maids, have very pronounced
accents, wears sparkly clothes with religious
images, and are often treacherous and
untrustworthy.

IV. Observations
A. Things to love about the film
 #WomenSupportingWomen
Throughout the whole film, it showed a lot of positive female friendships and celebrated
women alliances.
 Elle is a #GoalGetter
Elle was unwaveringly set on her goals, no matter how difficult they seemed. She did
not let the doubters get to her. She stayed focused on her goals and worked hard to
achieve them.
 #EmbracingFemininity
Elle stayed true to her identity even if a lot of people judged her for it. She proved that
looks don't matter as long as you do your job well.
 The film calls out sexist and entitled men.
 Throughout the film, Elle encounters two men who are sexist and entitled--Warner and
Professor Callahan. Both of them were given negative portrayals and bad endings in the
film.
 Emmett's character
The film does not shift into being a love story and keeps Emmett as a minor character
only. He is supportive of Elle and encourages her to believe in herself.
 Elle realizes her self-worth in the end.
Elle may have started out as a hopeless romantic whose main goal is to win his ex-
boyfriend back but towards the course of the film, she transforms into this smart,
determined, and career-driven woman who knows just what she's worth.

B. Things I did not like in the film

 The opening credits
The movie portrayed sorority girls as their usual stereotypes: pretty, always wearing
sexy clothes, obsessed with their looks and guys.
 Representation of Persons of Color
Persons of Color were given roles that are incredibly minor and problematic, especially
that of Enrique.
 Elle's reason for going to Harvard Law School
Elle's breakup makes her realize she needs to change herself and become the "Jackie"
Warner wants in order to win him back. She enrolls at Harvard in hopes of getting back
with Warner.
 Elle's parents' reaction to her decision of going to Harvard Law School
When Elle tells her parents she wants to apply to Harvard Law, they are shocked and
unsupportive. To them, Elle should just stick to whatever she is already good at which is
beauty contests. They do not tell it directly but it is as if they are doubting and
underestimating their own daughter's capabilities. Additionally, Elle's father generalizes
law school people as ugly, boring, and serious.
 Elle's Harvard Admission Essay/Video
For her admission video, Elle dresses in a bikini for almost the entire video – displaying
her body and using it to her advantage. The admission counselors who were all men,
see this video and are obviously convinced because of Elle's looks. Despite the
admissions head presenting points on why Elle should not be admitted, the counselors
turn it around and prove that Elle is really deserving of a slot.
 Vivian versus Elle Rivalry
Again, two strong and driven girls, who instead of supporting each other, are pitted
against each other. What's worse is it is all because of an undeserving guy.
 Bend and Snap
I think this move sends the wrong message that women can only get a man's attention
by flaunting her body.
 Callahan's hitting on Elle
Professor Callahan accepts Elle into the internship program mostly because of her looks
and then later on tries to hit on her. By doing this, Callahan implies that the
only way for Elle to be a successful lawyer is to use her sexuality. This is reflective of
women's state in today's very patriarchal society. No matter how far they have come
because of their hard work they would always be objectified and underestimated by
men like Callahan.
 Outing Enrique while on the witness stand
 For a film that is targeted towards straight audiences, this whole scene sends the wrong
message for being so gender insensitive and treating coming out as just another funny
joke.
 Elle winning the case because of her knowledge on hair care
Elle already showed so much potential to become a great lawyer in the previous scenes,
but in the end she is shown to win the case only because of her knowledge in hair care.
While this is not an entirely impossible situation, I feel that this just goes back to
underestimating Elle and her capabilities as a future lawyer.
 Emmett proposing to Elle in the ending
Despite Elle's great achievements, Emmett's proposal implies that her already
successful life will still not be complete without a man. And also because getting
married is what makes a true "happily ever after" for women.
 Neglecting Elle's privilege
The film never addressed Elle's privilege. It portrays Elle as this confident and driven
person who does not let anything stop her from achieving her dreams but in reality, she
never really had much obstacles in her way.

V. Conclusion
For something that is produced in 2001, Legally Blonde could already be considered as a
progressive and feminist film. And indeed it shows in the way they portrayed women and femininity
positively. While Elle is not the typical feminist role model, in many ways, Elle still proves to be a
good role model to a lot of younger girls. Her story tells us that girls do not have to sacrifice their
femininity in order to be perceived as serious and be successful. All they have to do is believe in
themselves and focus on their goals. The film is also commendable for grappling with real issues
women take on, such as sexual harassment in the workplace, low self-esteem, and emotional
abuse. However, a closer look on the film's details shows us a lot of issues concerning gender roles,
stereotypes, and racism. The film still manages to perpetuate gender and racial stereotypes,
patriarchy, sexualization of women, and negative female tropes. The film's feminist messaging may
fall short in a few ways, but the film still remains incredibly woman-positive, empowering and an
important staple in feminist pop culture.

References:
Kapoor, A. (2016, October 03). 15 Years Of Legally Blonde: Here's Why It Was One Of The Most
Empowering Films For Women. Retrieved March 11, 2018, from https://www.idiva.com/news-
entertainment/15-years-of-legally-blonde-heres-why-it-was-one-of-the-most-empowering-films-for-
women/16100387

Legally Blonde. (2018, March 01). Retrieved March 11, 2018, from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legally_Blonde

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Legally Blonde: Taking a Closer Look. (2014, April 18). Retrieved March 11, 2018, from
https://gendertrender2014.wordpress.com/2014/04/18/legally-blonde-taking-a-closer-look/

Stump, J. (2015, December 12). Legally Blonde Film Analysis. Retrieved March 11, 2018, from
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