Legally Blonde: What the Girlboss Should've Been

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In this video, I discuss the 2001 film Legally Blonde and how Elle Woods’ character can redefine how we navigate career ambition.
Support the channel, if you like ✨: / qualityculture
Sources mentioned:
The death of the girlboss | Vox
www.vox.com/22466574/gaslight...
What It Takes to Be a Trial Lawyer If You're Not a Man | The Atlantic
www.theatlantic.com/magazine/...
The Unfinished Agenda - Women & the Legal Profession
womenlaw.law.stanford.edu/pdf/...

[@QualityCulture]

Use QC55 to get 55% off your first month at Scentbird! sbird.co/3h3IuZM 🌸

[@clarapilier]

Elle Woods is not a girlboss. She is a boss.

[@neigeepierrot4694]

Hell yes she is a boss

[@Rettfet7265]

Not a boss, she is /THE/ boss.

[@baalgodofrain]

She's not a boss, she's a QUEEN!!!

[@ADerpyReality]

@@baalgodofrain Everyone, everyone... You're all right.

[@whatreallymatters571]

The whole point of the movie was that she wasn't afraid of being a feminine woman who was capable of working to achieve the things she wanted. Being a girl isn't demeaning, so yes she is a Girlboss because they are Bosses. Being a girl or woman isn't a dirty or bad thing.

[@nachgeben]

Unless I missed it, I'm surprised you didn't include Elle's sorority before the court room. She never got mockery or snide questions from them, she didn't get pressured when she was studying for the exam to get into Harvard. She wasn't mocked for the breakup, there was nothing but pure joy and support for her, following after sympathy for what happened to her with what's-his-face.

[@ladygrey4113]

Like her sorority is what I wish most sororities were actually like.

[@MariaJoseRangelUwU]

The sorority girls were the only ones who didn’t dismissed her nor discouraged her, on the contrary they always believed in her and were very happy when she got in even if they didn’t get it. I wish I was in that sorority.

[@madeofcastiron]

and even when the sorority sisters questioned her at the beginning, it wasn't because they didn't think she could do it, but more because they were worried if it was something she really wanted to do

[@kanikagaral7637]

She did. She.mentioned that they showed solidarity that we see in women's bathrooms. It wasn't a long mention but it was addressed. And I agree with it. They helped her so much. True friendships.

[@Jane-oz7pp]

I watched it pretty recently and she absolutely did get a slight judgemental response at first. They grew and accepted her decision pretty quickly, but the first time they find her studying they're like "uh what? lol you can't" It's not that they didn't judge her at all, it's even better, they judged her until they realised she was seriously setting herself to this and *then* they supported her- when they knew it meant something to her. They didn't get it, they weren't really happy to lose party time with Elle, but that's okay because it made her happy and that's what they want for her. They actively set aside their preconceptions of her and their wants for themselves to support her in her happiness. And that's beautiful and real.

[@skullgarden2417]

It's almost intimidating how confident dolly was in that interview. The way she says "I'm secure in myself" and the gaze she has is just naturally dominant in the most feminine, powerful way.

[@QualityCulture]

Right?? I wish I had that level of self-assuredness

[@kiryn5977]

She really was staring that interviewer the fuck down---her basically being like, "I'm confident in myself, and I'm not here to apologize to you or anyone else for that" was such a power move. And tbh, good for her. I've always loved Dolly, and everything I've ever seen from her just cements that love further and further. 💖

[@MlleCarocks]

Dolly really is my number one role model, followed by characters like Elle Wood, and people like Jo Frost ; all strong, all féminine in their own way, all (seamingly) good people, all very secure in themselves, and supportive of other people and other women in significant ways.

[@CERULEANSPIRAL]

@@kiryn5977 "that interviewer" :::dies of old age, apparently::: That is Barbara Walters.

[@maddiemcnugget1076]

And that’s why Dolly is greatly admired nowadays

[@trinaq]

Elle was my icon growing up. She showed me that you don't need to choose between brains and beauty when you can easily have both, and proved that there was more to her than people initially perceived.

[@loulie1997]

Hi Trina!

[@trinaq]

@@loulie1997 Greetings, Ivy, we meet again under another comment section!

[@aarohidalal178]

i see you everywhere 😭😭💀

[@mandy4679]

same! I now have master's degree in psychology and a high paying job in tech!! 😎

[@thepagecollective]

It was an important message for pretty white girls from good homes needed to hear.

[@elizabethcrossley6853]

marilyns character was MADE by men.. she tried to step away from that but they only wanted her to play the dumb blonde beauty roles. she actually started her own production company and did acting classes. she wanted to be seen as more serious. the era and the patriarchy effed her. literally and figuratively

[@peachesandcream8753]

Poppycock. Marilyn loved male attention and posed naked for a photoshoot once to try and compete against the more popular Elizabeth Taylor; and losing because she failed to understand what made Elizabeth famous. If what you implied were true then she never would have done that. Her sexuality WAS her selling point and she knew it. Stop painting her as a victim, she had agency in her actions and was very smart, she knew what she was doing.

[@kanikagaral7637]

Even in those roles she was good. Imagine how good she would have been if some female oriented film had come her way.

[@afoolishfopdoodle3284]

One of my favorite quotes comes from one of her movies: "A man being rich is like a girl being pretty. A girl doesn't have to be pretty, but it sure does help, doesn't it?" I don't know why I love that quote so much, but I do

[@margaretboyle8719]

Another Marilyn acolyte, how sad. Monroe was a marginally talented, alcoholic, drug-addicted woman who allowed herself to be used by powerful men as a piece of meat. She LEFT the only man who treated her like a person: Joe Dimaggio. She looked like a bimbo, lived like a bimbo and died like one. She had no self-control so the idea of her running anything successfully is a joke. Brigitte Bardot was a contemporary who knew she was a sex kitten, retired at a reasonable age and went on to write an actual BOOK about the invasion of Muslim immigrants into France and the consequences. She was sued for this book, by politically correct lunatics, and WON.

[@setheus]

It double sucks knowing that she was almost certainly a lesbian. Everyone close to her knew that she slept with fellow actresses and some of her (woman) acting coaches. She also always avoided s*x with men as best she could (partially from fear of passing on genetic disorders, partially from wanting men "only as friends"), especially her husbands, and never ~got there~ when it was with men. Knowing this makes watching her movie Some Like It Hot (where two men temporarily live as women to escape the mob, but then kinda use it as a ploy to get close to women like Monroe) so much more interesting, yet depressing...

[@Shadow1Yaz]

Hearing about the lawyer being reprimanded for “stripping” was infuriating because it implies that a woman’s body is sexual in nature no matter what she’s doing cuz I’ll bet no men were reprimanded for “stripping” because he was sweating buckets in a hot room. She didn’t become a lawyer to be sexual yet she’s objectified anyways. It’s really pathetic on the men who think they’re professional but are outclassed by the women in their field.

[@QualityCulture]

It was such a silly/sexualized comment to make just because she was wearing a sleeveless blouse. The AC wasn't on and it was summer in California, let her live 😩 or at least let her know in a more tasteful way...

[@bennyton2560]

I hope she reported that judge or something. this is workplace discrimination

[@tristanneal9552]

@@bennyton2560 Unfortunately, who would she report it to? I was under the impression that judges were the top of the totem pole.

[@aurifulgore]

@@tristanneal9552 there are ethics committees but seeing how sexual harrassment is handled in government entities (FBI, presidential candidates, Supreme Court Judges, police...) I don't have great faith in it being handled properly.

[@Jay_jay265]

Hearing that part really put me in shock. Everywhere women go their bodies are sexualized, but I never thought of the courtroom being part of this. A place for "justice" but they focus on a lawyer taking off her jacket?!

[@mophead_xu]

perhaps a bit out of topic, but the abundance of women in this movie reminds me of a discussion thread i found on tumblr a while back. it was talking about the "feminist girlboss" protagonists of YA dystopian novels that basically said, "Women come in packs. I'm not interested in how strong (in traditionally masculine sense) your female protagonist is, I care about how she interacts with other women around her, and how other women live in the same world that she does, even if they don't interact. So many 'strong female protagonist' ended up being in isolation one way or another, surrounded by men or mostly only interact with the men in meaningful ways. But majority of women in real life are not as disconnected with other women as these protagonists tend to be, and when we _do_ exist in isolation, it's usually because a problem has occured. A woman alone in fiction is not empowering, it's a red flag."

[@nathpi8410]

That's so true. These kind of "feminist girlboss" are teaching that you can only succeed and be strong if you reject other women and all the "feminine" things. Hating on women is not really empowering for women.

[@utkarshgaur1942]

One the reasons I admired Charmed a lot.

[@blackairforce13]

The "she not like any other girl" vibe is quite toxic

[@mophead_xu]

@@blackairforce13 chifuyu.

[@blackairforce13]

@@mophead_xu shhh... Don't tell Takemichi that I was here. The boys can't know 🤫

[@maddieb5787]

This is such a perfect take on Legally Blonde. And those snarky, judgemental interviews done by Barbara Walters aren't the first I've seen her act like that. A full history and breakdown of her degrading women over the past few decades would be great.

[@QualityCulture]

I haven’t seen very many other interviews she’s done but I guess I wouldn’t be surprised if she was always like that 😬

[@maddieb5787]

@@QualityCulture oh yeah. Check out the way she talked to Britney spears also. And Paris Hilton.

[@lh9591]

Quality Culture Barbara was awful to Courtney Love. And not just awful to women. When the Coreys came forward about their sexual abuse as children in the entertainment industry, Barbara scolded them for “damaging an entire industry.” Like, sure Barbara, it’s Corey’s fault. Not the pedofiles and rapists in the entertainment industry.

[@kennedyjojackson1202]

@@maddieb5787 Dolly Parton too!

[@ryanappleton3653]

​@@maddieb5787 Barbara Walters didn't interview Britney. That was Diane Sawyer.

[@someonerandom8552]

Even though I’m a “tomboy” Elle Woods is a character I’ve admired since childhood. And I’d argue a great feminist icon. She never compromises herself or apologises for her tastes. Even when she was dressing “more seriously” it was with a goal in mind and still done with style and femininity. She is quick to help those in need and when she is mocked or belittled, responds only with kindness. Even her hard as nails professor comes to respect her. Sure she was “mean” at first, because she could tell that Elle wasn’t taking her studies seriously. So she called her out on it. But she really wanted the best for her students. When Elle rises to her challenge, she sees her potential and seems very happy by her success. Even encouraging her when she needed a lift. This film, yes has some outdated cliches but honestly subverts many more.

[@alyssapinon9670]

Hell yeah! I love my tomboy friends and they support me too! We all watched Legally Blonde together and it was life changing!

[@MsClaudiaDuran]

It wasn't until the professor showed up at the salon that I realized she too was a blonde the whole time.

[@kiera6326]

I disagree that Elle never took her studies seriously to begin with. She was underprepared, but only because she didn’t realise what was required of her. If she’d known, she would have done it. The professor looked at her and judged her the way everyone else did- she thought she was shallow, stupid and ridiculous. She didn’t want frivolity in her class, so she humiliated her. It was only as she got used to Elle, and Elle proved what she could do that she changed her judgement of her, and therefore her treatment.

[@someonerandom8552]

@@kiera6326 Valid point. A running theme (which Elle comments on several times) is people always judging her instantly and often underestimating her.

[@slsthewriter1299]

Butch lesbian here, and gotta say, 100%. One of my favorite movies and favorite characters. Another thing that I thought was a nice touch with the professor is that the professor towards the end is at the salon and tells Elle to basically not give a shit that the men around her are being shitty. Lol. Completely undermined that, but you get the point. xD

[@alexissandren1884]

I found it very interesting when the video segwayed from Marilyn Monroe to the "If I want to become a senator I need to marry a Jackie, not a Marilyn" and then to Elle's interest in fashion. One thing that was a hallmark of Jackie Kennedy WAS her sense of fashion and how she used that to build the image of both her self and enhance the presidential career of her husband. When we think of Jackie Kennedy I think most of us right away sees her tasteful Channel suits and her ratted hair that is iconic of the 1960s. It was an essential part of the glamour of the Kennedy era. That Warner didn't understand that he actually had a Jackie (and no shade on the one and only Marilyn) right across the table doesn't mean that we as viewers shouldn't as well.

[@kanikagaral7637]

He saw her as a blonde woman so he thought of Marilyn even though Jackie and Marilyn were both same people with different hair colour.

[@cbpd89]

I assumed this was a bit of a shaming moment. Jackie was extremely stylish, but definitely tended toward tailored rather than tight, and generally a more conservative look than Marilyn. Marilyn was famous for being sexy and often dressing that way. Basically, he liked how Elle looked, but decided to shame her for how she dressed because of how he thought others would perceive it. Warner is trash, but a pretty good representative for a lot of men who won't complain as they check out a swim suit model, but would criticize that exact same woman for posing for the photo.

[@gentlesandladymen]

YES! And also, Marlin Monroe was a very smart woman who was constantly shoehorned into “dumb blonde/sex symbol” roles and persona. During her life she was trying to fight for her right to be beautiful, blonde, AND smart, the way Elle does in the movie. That line works (or I guess doesn’t work) in both ways and I find that fascinating. Very good writing there

[@lucasmatiasdelaguilamacdon7798]

My dad, a very serious, well renowned, 50-something year old international lawyer and corporate arbitrator has made me watch this at least once a week since I was 10. Apart from Star Wars this is his favorite movie. He literally took my family into a Washington DC trip he himself designed because he wanted to see all the places Elle went in the movie…

[@margaret_adelle]

"The abstract concept of strength is still conflated with cruelty." Well said.

[@madeofcastiron]

"what? like it's hard?" forever one of the most iconic lines ever. it even saved my grades in university and helped me graduate with a decent GPA.

[@hiddenechoes]

I grew up in a cult where women and children are more possessions than individuals and was told that I needed to be ready to erase my personality to take on whatever my husband chose for my personality. So when I was house sitting and this movie came on the tv it was impactful and very bright and hopeful that it wasn't just inside my group where women weren't valued as individuals at times, but that the right people would treat us like individuals . It was oddly impactful.

[@abbysc417]

Thank you so much for sharing this with us 💕 I’m really proud of you for owning your individual humanity

[@sashayy1232]

wow, i am proud of you for carving out your own path!

[@ilincabogza]

I am so proud and happy that you have found the strenght to be yourself! All the best to you!💗❤

[@Markus2E5I6]

What cult is that? Sounds interesting

[@dailyremindertoshutup3670]

​@@Markus2E5I6 bro what

[@bastion4975]

Legally Blonde was a film that my older sister would put on sometimes, and I had to watch it with her since there was nothing else I could do instead. As a young boy, I was always bored by it since I was outside of the target demographic. Now that I'm older, I found the film on TV randomly while my mom and sister were watching it, and actually found it very endearing, and found so much respect for the protagonist. I like how she's a fully developed, realized person that also likes to dress pretty, wear make-up and such, and how she wins the case by staying true to her ideals. Another character in the same vein that I respect more now that I'm older is Daphne Blake from the live-action Scooby-Doo movies. There's something about female characters that are unabashedly feminine, true to themselves and competent in their own right without compromising who they are that is just really nice.

[@YourMajesty143]

Well, this was refreshing! It's not everyday that we get to see men with healthy perspectives. Usually those who do have them, are hesitant to disclose these kinds of insights. So thanks for sharing!

[@kenkenken7789]

Kudo to you! 🪴🌸 For sharing your refreshing POV on the topic

[@katiesnider3137]

Especially seeing overtly feminine characters being the heros. Often, feminity is paired with the villain (think Regina George) and continues to cast being girly as being bad.

[@AW-uv3cb]

When I see comments like this from men, it fills me with hope for the future of society. Women are often socialised to be able to empathise with male heroes, who are seen as universal characters, but men are rarely encouraged to empathise with stories about women, which can be regarded as "girly" (unless it's a story about a woman, but written by "a serious male writer", like Madame Bovary or Anna Karenina - both great books by the way, not trying to take away anything from them). So to see men embracing stereotypically "girly" books or movies and appreciating feminine characters always gives me a warm feeling 🙂

[@hcxpl1]

It was common for the movie to pass on TV during my childhood and I never cared much about it but the overall dismissive response it usually got from my peers whenever it happened to be on made me think of it as something silly and dumb. But this video really made me appreciate how intentional all of it was and how much one can learn about others' experiences, even if not the targeted demographic, simply by taking it for what it is.

[@Rapidashisaunicorn]

Calling a sorority a “friendship cult” is hilariously on point

[@KatieLHall-fy1hw]

I mean, you’re paying for potential friends. But you can find some good eggs in there

[@laurenconrad1799]

“It turns out women are people and not immune to being shitty.” I need that on a t-shirt. Or a poster. If not an “inspirational poster,” make it a “truth poster.” Lol

[@dareisayit]

Yes! Now if people would stop using those shitty women to color the entire female population, and in turn justify their sexism/misogyny/abuse/control of women, that’d be nice.

[@gnu740]

Professor Stromwel is one of my favourite characters in this movie. Her take-no-prisoners attitude contrasts with Elle, but both end up respecting the other by the end of the film. Plus, she’s not just a female lawyer, she’s an OLDER female lawyer. The struggles she’d have faced early in her career would be very different to the younger generation of up and coming lawyers, not to mention the prejudices women face as they age. Cutting her from Legally Blonde The Musical was an insult and an affront, and I’m still not over it….

[@KatieLHall-fy1hw]

Wtf she’s cut from it?!?!

[@rambbler]

Seriously? They cut the second best character? Like come on! She's an extremely important character for Elle's development and she subverts the "mean old hag teacher" trope.

[@muskaan3711]

As a woman law student, I love Elle and she's my icon. She's the complete opposite of me with her feminity, but still I really admire her and wish to have her confidence. And yeah the whole brain or beauty thing is stupid. Women are complex humans not a badly written character by a man 😂 most of my female classmates have beauty/fashion and brains/personality! So yeah go Elle Woods

[@sophie7780]

not only is the highest score on the lsat a 180 and elle got a 179, but she got a 143 on her first practice test. that jump is basically unheard of. the average score increase is 11 points, elle's increased from a below average score (150 tends to be the average) up THIRTY SIX POINTS. you get better at the lsat with practice, but that's insane. good for her

[@anika-banikakee-kee1097]

Yes!! Also, people often brush over all the work she did to get into Harvard law and say its because of her video, but she had a 4.0 GPA/highest of her college; a nearly perfect lsat score; she was the president of her sorority which requires lots of time management and social/leadership skills, and a commanding presence; and she majored in fashion merchandizing, which is a specific subbranch of marketing-- not very easy at all. Even before Harvard, she was a very motivated hard worked who had achieved lots.

[@cedoniapeterson9239]

Every time I watch this movie, I love it more. I'm a software engineer, and I'll never forget this massive wall hanging on the way to the bathroom at my first internship. It was a set of comics depicting a girl showing a bunch of guys that "I can do this thing that you do, too!" I like the idea of this in theory, but in practice it was just a bunch of pictures of her dressing in ratty jeans and a sweatshirt, playing video games, eating pizza, and basically just conforming to every one of the masculine stereotypes about programmers. Don't get me wrong, I know some very butch female programmers (and of course I also like pizza and hoodies). But I also love wearing dresses and getting a good night's sleep, and don't play a lot of video games. And that set of comics felt weirdly invalidating to me in a way that I've never been able to quite describe. It's always great to be reminded that you can enter a male-dominated field and excel without changing yourself to match the men around you.

[@QualityCulture]

Yes that's exactly it! It's part of that weird pressure to prove you're "not like the other girls", that instead you're "one of the guys". Why can't we just be ourselves lol

[@cedoniapeterson9239]

@happy baby I honestly probably come off as a ditzy airhead half the time, but my coworkers are great and take me seriously which is great. I think a lot of the worst toxic culture stuff is in university, now that I'm in the industry I don't feel the pressure to act a certain way or "prove" my tech credentials nearly as much. But in university it felt like a decent number of people thought you weren't a "real" programmer unless you had no other hobbies (except maybe video gaming) and spent all of your time in front of a computer. Very weird.

[@cedoniapeterson9239]

​@happy baby Sorry for the delay in responding, I went on vacation haha. But yeah no major tips, besides the probably overly-general advice to ignore the toxic stereotypes. Make friends who respect your intelligence, enjoy your time in college, and basically just keep everything in perspective: no matter what people say, at the end of the day as long as you're making the grades you'll get a good job. And once you're in the industry, the divide between work and personal life becomes much stronger. Plus, of course, report any serious instances of sexism. Ignoring misconceptions doesn't mean you need to let any form of abuse slide. I've never had to personally, but it's a good thing to underline in case you're ever in that sort of situation.

[@Iifeisharder]

As a fellow software developer I totally understand you. I love fine arts, I am interested in cinema and fashion, and I enjoy coding as well, but unfortunately the bro culture is still very present in the tech field, sometimes I feel like I am not enough and I do not belong, just because my interests are different than the stereotypical ones. It feels like I am not a "real programmer" somehow.

[@jitkab.5949]

@@Iifeisharder I never react to comments but I really relate to your comment and this threat in general. Upcoming year I am going to pursue a master in computer science and I constantly feel like I am supposed to give up all my artistic hobbies to full on focus on programming and computer science related stuff because otherwise I am not a 'real' computer science student. However, I love art, movies, piano, books, and makeup. Don't get me wrong, I love computer science, but there are so many other things I want to do besides that. It's an internal struggle

[@RB-vo4gi]

I have never liked the term “girl boss”. I have used boss before to describe women but I never use “boy boss” so why would I use girl boss? It also just feels like a way to infantilize women or not take their power as seriously as a man’s. There has never been a “right” way to be a woman in society. If you are too feminine, you are looked down on. If you aren’t feminine enough, you are looked down on. If you are comfortable with yourself in whatever form that is, you are looked down on.

[@laurenconrad1799]

“I didn’t know what a sorority was so I thought Elle lived in some sort of strange friendship cult.” Is a sorority not a strange friendship cult? Lol

[@QualityCulture]

Perhaps I was onto something lmao

[@motunuii]

when i was in the psych ward, this was one of the only movies everyone agreed to watch while in there, I found a new found appreciation for the film after seeing it twice in there. iconic

[@pragnyaakkulu9758]

I've watched a lot of video essays on legally blonde and I don't understand how people do not talk about the scene at the salon with the female professor. That's literally my favorite scene in the entire movie cuz it is so fucking empowering. It reveals that the professor herself was once probably like Elle. Of course unlike Elle however she seems to have suppressed her femininity to be taken seriously in her career, but in that salon scene, we see that she may have retained a small part of it by still going to that salon after many years(assuming). Throughout the movie, we see her testing Elle's perseverance, which we may have mistaken for a "let's see how far this one goes before she drops out" attitude, but in fact, she was always hoping that Elle would be a successful lawyer since she probably saw younger self in her. In the Salon scene, the professor telling Elle not to give up literally felt like she was saying "Come on Elle! Be better than me!"

[@bessieburnet9816]

That scene is so essential, yet when I watched it on TV the other day, it was cut out just because she said prick. Goodness, that's like the turning point for her. Why remove it?!?!?

[@swishyclang9175]

even as a dude I've always loved legally blonde for the subversion of the femininity = bad and women vs. other women tropes - it's not a flawless film but it's definitely up there with the greats for me

[@AW-uv3cb]

I just commented under what another man wrote how much I love seeing comments like this from men!

[@NatasyaFilaRais]

I love how elle believes in herself and what she's capable of, while staying true to herself, regardless of what people think of her and how she's underestimated, like she knows what she brings to the table and I've personally always wanted to strive for embodying that value

[@juliannehess8631]

I absolutely adore this movie and I adore this video. One of my biggest problems with modern feminism movements is that female empowerment requires women to act and achieve things that are stereotypically masculine in order to be taken seriously, instead of simply valuing stereotypically feminine things equally. This movie illustrates that concept beautifully. Elle is the girliest girl you’ve ever seen, covered in glitz and glam and all things pink, but instead of becoming more like a man in order to accomplish her goals, she helps others see that her femininity is a strength to be utilized, not a weakness to be overcome. Ugh I love Elle Woods!!

[@simplecoffee]

As a more 'masculine' woman, I guarantee you it is no easier from this side of the table. We are constantly told we're not feminine *enough* to be taken seriously. Patriarchy damages all of us.

[@juliannehess8631]

@@simplecoffee that is also very true!! I’m so sorry to hear that that has been your experience!

[@LA-cm9uo]

Hi, this is not true. The type of feminism you have described is first and second wave feminism.

[@LA-cm9uo]

Right, they want you to be smart and all-achieving but also look flawless and sexy all the time but without letting other know how much effort you put into your appears

[@AW-uv3cb]

@@LA-cm9uo Very true about the first and second wave of feminism. I think maybe what Julianne meant was that this is what we often see on screen, especially in in big Hollywood productions - seems like Hollywood studio producers are a bit behind the times with their feminist theory (gasp, shock)! ;-) Luckily we're seeing more and more representations that are less judgemental.

[@Asummersdaydreamer14]

I like how in the final court scene all the major players (I think) are women: Elle, the judge, Chutney, and the lead prosecution. Just a nice touch by the film. Fun video about a fun movie. I choose to remember this era of Reese Witherspoon since she gives me “I’m a cool mom” energy ever since she lowkey publicly supported NFTs in a ‘nfts for her’ way. Also, Barbara, it is illegal to ask bad and leading questions to Dolly Parton. And plain rude.

[@YourMajesty143]

NFTs are speculative scams, they don't make anyone "cool". They target the vulnerable and uninformed. Please watch Folding Ideas video titled "The Problem with NFTs" kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4LCqYqsjZahb8k . Currently at 7.1 million viewers, I think it's by far the most articulate video about the whole cryptocurrencies and NFTs issue. I like how he addresses the problem as a political one, whereas a lot of skeptics (as technical people) tend to miss that aspect or play it down. Folding Ideas overall is undoubtedly great, even for subjects that are unrelated to cinematography.

[@bubbybets9336]

whats wrong with NFTs?

[@fibromiteready2fight809]

@@bubbybets9336 not good for the environment, probable money laundering and pyramid scheme, and she probably doesn’t need excessive extra money

[@mophead_xu]

@@bubbybets9336 oh man. if you're asking in good faith i'd recommend Folding Ideas' video on it. it's lengthy for sure, but the whole video is broken up into segments so you can watch bit by bit over the course of a few days if you're interested.

[@bubbybets9336]

@@mophead_xu thank u

[@heathercontois4501]

I absolutely love the Dolly Parton interview with Barbara Walters that you included in this. Besides watching everything on how awesome Elle Woods is as a female representative, I adore the added bonus of Dolly calling out Walters so sweetly. I love it. I have adored both women so much as I've grown up.

[@jeff__w]

17:54 “The point is Elle didn’t sharpen her edges while striving for success. She stayed soft.” _The softest in the world_ _Surpasses the hardest in the world._ _What has no substance_ _Can penetrate what has no opening._ _Thereby I know the value of non-action._ _The value of teaching without words_ _And accomplishing without action_ _Is understood by few in the world._ -Chapter 43, _Tao Te Ching_

[@thatblerdoverthereb9654]

This reminds me of the shock of models or beauty pageant contestants in STEM fields. I'll admit envy of a beautiful 5'10 woman having a 140 IQ, but attractiveness and intelligence is not an either or. I think, like many things, a binary smart or pretty is easier for Hollywood than complex characters that mirror real women.

[@alyssanielsen8521]

Elle has the qualities that I aspire to be. She has genuine kindness, warmth, she cares about each person she interacts with. These qualities are frequently viewed as weak, but Elle does not view them as such. And the movie shows it as a strength, not a weakness, which is probably my favorite thing about the movie. Another movie that can be example of this is Wonder Woman. She cares and empathizes with each individual. And it is at the core of her as a person and hero. This affects her choices and those choices are shown to be a strength. The most empowering shows are those that show what is viewed as a "weak" is actually a strength.

[@priyalimbachiya272]

Watching this movie as a pick me girl at 13 helped me realize I was allowed to embrace femininity and still be feminist

[@mau345]

Whats a pick me girl?

[@blekkek755]

pick me girl is a not like other girls girl,who tties to appease to men through undermining other women

[@c4tac133]

@@mau345 A girl who changes who she is to be liked by men

[@ebonyplummer4621]

So any woman who isn't ultra feminine is a "pick me"? So for the so called sisterhood.

[@BreezusSneezus]

Legally Blonde has been one of my top 3 fav movies since it came out, and I love your take on it 😊 Lmao this is tiny but at one point you said she has a Chihuahua a la Paris Hilton, and I have to point out that LB came out 2 years before the public knew anything about PH. I just need it to be known: Elle did it first!

[@reikun86]

Facts

[@x3janna95]

What are the other two movies? :)

[@elizacarrie7433]

I watched the movie as a teenager. My mom showed it to me, as a way of proving to me that I didn’t have to model myself as an unlikable woman archetype to be successful (at an age where I was surrounded by my peers making the decision between likable and smart). My older brother was horrified that my mother liked the movie, let alone that she would show 13 year old impressionable me such a “trashy shallow” movie. It’s still a favorite, as is the musical. It’s an important lesson to understand you don’t have to choose between who you are and going after what you want

[@DoodleWrite]

Your mom is a good, no great!!! one ☺️☺️

[@nephtys369]

Elle getting into Harvard is the least fantastical thing about the movie. 4.0 gpa, president of sorority, 179 out of 180, and expertise in an area well known for lawsuits (fashion). She was extremely valuable to any firm. Shien and temu would have hated her.

[@oflilia]

I so absolutely adore the sorority sisters in this. They're all so "I don't really get it, but I support you" and that is so girlboss

[@renatiaowo4458]

As a black woman, I would love more representation of elle with poc women! Sadly, privilege can lessen the sexualization of a woman. From childhood, every action I did was sexualized, so I would love a strong but feminine black woman in pink

[@indievariety]

you know, I would love to see a serious remake of Legally Blond but modernized with a more diverse cast and a POC lead. I think we all need that right now 🥺

[@kanikagaral7637]

We can always make a new legally blonde with elle involving in matters concerning poc

[@renatiaowo4458]

@@kanikagaral7637 although that would be nice, i think a main character who is a woc would be more effective so that instead of being a lesson or a side character, the woc can be the role model. Theres enough media of strong white women like barbie, marlyn, etc as the lead role, time for woc to have the spot light.

[@kanikagaral7637]

@@renatiaowo4458 well that can be done in another movie. Not this franchise. A new but similar concept with woc with their issues and their struggle then their victories.

[@renatiaowo4458]

@@kanikagaral7637 1000% agreed no more reboots T-T

[@kiwimaracuia9834]

The sweetness and solidarity of drunk girls in bathrooms IS the most wholesome thing!

[@indievariety]

I always think of my aunt, who like Elle Woods is a hyper-feminine lawyer--and she does dress like it! (an all-pink outfit would get you kicked out of court tho 😅) This movie actually taught me a lot about femininity and the working woman, and I will always hold this movie in my heart

[@kanikagaral7637]

I still don't know why would they be kicked out for wearing all pink outfit. As long as it is professional and decent that's all that matters. And I am saying this as someone who hates the colour pink.

[@indievariety]

@@kanikagaral7637 I honestly don't know why... I mean, if you really want an answer, business formal outfits are expected, and it's still very much "black and white business casual" my aunt has had to change her pants before because they weren't formal enough. Color is very inappropriate. If I had to point out the reason, it's very traditional...

[@aylinalz662]

I'm very happy to hear about this, I know that you can't really ask you aunt these questions but do you know if she was looked down upon, underestimated,or sexualized because of her gender or did she not have a problem with such things?

[@indievariety]

@@aylinalz662 She told me she's been treated as dumb or incompetant because she's a woman. She uses it to her advantage a lot in court, since she usually knows the judges pretty well. I mean, you're usually automatically sexualized as a woman, so I'm sure that factors in too

[@porfiriodiazcarrillo7551]

the frienship between Selma Blair, Reese Witherspoon and Sarah-Michelle Gellar is the better example of the influence that female camaradery has. since the three of them worked on "Cruel Intentions", they'd been friends and suport eachother on any project they had.

[@Crystyle2011]

I really needed to see this video. I just started a new job where I am one of 5 women in the whole department. I have spent the last few days only around men and truly missed my old job where the dynamics were the complete opposite. I am constantly trying to balance my behavior because I recoginze the difficultes of being a women in a man's world. I found a lot of what you said very relatable and it definitely centered me. I loved Legally Blonde growing up and I sometimes think of ways I can embody my inner Elle Woods by being true to myself and being the best version of myself even if I feel like I am the odd (wo)man out. Thank you for making this video, it was much needed. :)

[@QualityCulture]

I'm so glad it resonated with you, I wish you all the best at your new job :)

[@imogenbreeze8365]

“I didn’t know what a sorority was, so I thought Elle lived in some strange friendship cult” - sounds like you understood perfectly then

[@gem9535]

That judge who YELLED at a judge in a COURTROOM for 'stripping' needs to get *stripped* of his title. Ironically, he acted far more inappropriate than she ever could.

[@animeluchia5405]

As a kid, I had absolutely no understanding of how empowering this movie was- I was too autistic. But as I grew older, I realised just how amazing it was. I remember a tumblr post once saying how difficult it would’ve been to remember off the top of your head what she pulled out so easily about that dress. And how it showed just how smart she really was, and how it was entirely possible for her to get a high grade on the LSAT. And that amazed me, and opened my eyes to how powerful that movie was. As a kid, it was just a fun movie that I enjoyed to no end. As teen, it showed me that women can be amazingly smart. And now, in my mid-20’s, I know just how much of a good role model Elle Woods is. This movie is amazing.

[@aisadal2521]

Heck yeah, so happy to see you cover _Legally Blonde_ in the way it deserved to be covered 🥰

[@summer_the_rae]

stromwell's line in the salon always gets to me because it makes me wonder what kind of experience she had at law school being a blonde woman as well

[@breathingunderwater]

I actually wrote this movie off when it came out because I took the title at face value and I didn't want to engage with a comedy degrading the stereotype of a ditzy blonde woman trying to be a lawyer. My wife had me watch it recently, though, and I was blown away about how wrong I was and how spectacular the script is. Wish I had given it a chance when it came out!

[@xenasBS]

I'm a trans girl catching up on the young-teen-girl-stuff, and characters like Elle Woods, Sharpay Evans and Cher Horowitz were kind of like a breath of fresh air. I've spent so much of my life afraid of my own femininity that these strong, unapolegetic, hyperfeminine young women were just a surprise and an inspiration. I don't think Sharpay or Cher are as empowering as Elle by any means, but that type of character still feels wonderful in a world where femininity is still seen as weakness by a lot of people.

[@Agforever12]

If you don’t think Sharpay is empowering than you obviously haven’t seen the 2011 classic, Sharpay’s Fabulous Adventure 🙄

[@xenasBS]

@@Agforever12 👀 you have my attention

[@katierasburn9571]

sharpay deserved more!! She did get her spin off which i loved but i just wish we had more of her in general

[@gentlesandladymen]

I’m enby and my best friend is a trans girl and we watch a lot of these movies together :D legally blonde is her favorite movie now, we’ve seen it together like three times

[@barendpaulbarnard9730]

A person having faith in herself and standing up for herself, her people and what she believes? She’s a superhero and part of my psyche forever. She’s possibly the person I’d most like to be.

[@sirohartmann]

This video was amazing! Blew my mind. I'm gonna be honest, young me judged Legally Blonde by its DVD cover and never watched it for thinking it's a lame girls movie. This video makes it look like a masterpiece with an incredible message. I'll definitely watch it now. Thank you for this video. It gave me a new perspective.

[@QualityCulture]

Hope you enjoy it 😊

[@Shrixxu]

Reese Witherspoon is an alumni of my school and it’s so fitting that she played Elle Woods since that character represents the school’s values perfectly 😄

[@ariannasilva4462]

This movie was great! Is it without any issues, no. But it's fairly positive and doesn't remove anyone's core appearances for their goals.

[@youarenotalion]

Elle Woods always reminded me of Barbie not just because of the blonde hair and pink clothes but Barbie also has the always kind and good natured character and can do anything because she is intelligent and ambitious and hard working. Like barbie has had every job under the moon (and on the moon lolol) and she can still look cute while doing it! sounds like a good role model to me :) and i know a lot of people get on barbie for giving us unrealistic beauty standards but beyond that she also is a positive figure that young girls can look up to for inspiration in more than just looks

[@hex_gurl2389]

this movie, miss congeniality, and a league of their own were the most important movies of my childhood because they were movies with women who weren't just tough men personalities copied and pasted to a woman to make a "strong female character." They were truly strong, unique, and complex women who learned in one way or another that their femininity wasn't a detriment to their ambitions and strengths. it's sad society was still so antagonistic towards feminine women that i still went through that phase of trying to "not be like other girls" and never dress too girly, but luckily i found my way back to who *i* am and am currently in the process of finding more dresses to wear this summer :) love this movie and elle so much, and this is a great video!

[@eyden1562]

I watched a lot of male KZbin reactors on this particular movie, and it's surprisingly unanimous. The opinion that Elle Woods, as cringey as her character may sound on paper, she's RIDICULOUSLY authentic to herself, passionate about advancing herself in the most legit way possible, without shortcuts. She doesn't let people cut her down, she doesn't hype herself via cutting down others, she doesn't sacrifice her feminity in the pursuit of more masculine goals. The reasons why she's an amazing role model are endless. 👏👏👏

[@madisonj5136]

Glad you touched on that people use activism as an excuse to bully others

[@alexklepp6479]

This was a great video and Elle is truly a great role model for women in embracing herself for what she believes in and loves. It was also cool to see you share a video from Sarah Z. I’ve loved her channel for a long time.

[@dfolz1101]

I love that elles arc doesnt really include any change on her part. She goes to law school to follow a guy and is totally secure in herself the entire time shes pursuing him. The movie comes full circle when she realizes her professor and that douchebag arent even close to worth her time and that if she wants to keep going it should be solely for her no one else. She basically stays consistent the whole time and his so true to herself that her ex's current girlfriend even starts to like her despite treating her like shit the whole time. Great character, solid writing.

[@theexploraholic]

I’m not a lawyer, but I did just start my first real “big girl” job in my field (I worked in corporate before but in other departments). I’ve “channeled” Elle as I pick my outfits in the morning and she has given me confidence to be myself when talking with potential clients when my (man) mentor said to just get in and press in to their fear and pain and get out. I’m not doing that, even if doing so would not seem horrendous “for a woman” to do. I don’t care what happens, I’m not changing who I am and becoming any less of a good person to become “one of the tops in the company” and Elle inspired me in this! I found this video at the end of my first week and I am so thankful I did. You did an amazing job!

[@luvrs2191]

Never stop! You might just inspire some other little girl as Elle did for you! :)

[@Daniella9658]

I loved Elle’s story growing up. How she doesn’t change who she is and still proofs everyone she is smart, and worth of people’s time and affection. Her buying that mac and studying so hard while keeping true to who she is, I love it.

[@Nirrini]

Elle always went out with class. She was genuinely kind and humble. She didn’t mind helping others, regardless of class or gender. She was rich and pretty and never made anyone feel less. Elle is a real diamond in the world of female fictional characters.

[@littlelunarisasmr]

In the musical adaptation of Legally Blonde, Vivian is actually the one who goes to the salon and convinces Elle to stay! It's a whole musical number too!

[@QualityCulture]

I love that!

[@joelman1989]

LOVE her characterization as someone who is pretty, blond, bubbly, and still compassionate to everyone. It does actually remind me of Dolly Parton. Who is actually underrated as a human being honestly.

[@thegunslinger1363]

Crazy how this will be 21 years old in July.

[@QualityCulture]

I know 😰

[@flawlix]

When I was externing for a local judge my first summer of law school, I remember one of the older male judges commenting on a female attorney’s shoe choice because she’d worn blue heels instead of a more neutral color. Not even strikingly bright blue, just not black, brown, or nude.

[@GabrielaCenturionNeumann]

I love that Reese and Selma are still good friends after all these years

[@eduardaarrais]

Elle is and always will be my icon. Shes so unapologetic about who she is, no matter what other people say. I wish I was this confident! She proves that you don't need to be a certain stereotype to have worth. You have worth regardless of what you are, wear, look, etc ♥️

[@audrey_dawn]

Legally blonde meant SO much to me growing up. It taught me my self expression through outward appearance was valid, not shallow. You can be smart and pretty!

[@MsClaudiaDuran]

When I worked in the health and wellness industry, I met many conventionally attractive people (signed models, beauty pageant winners, etc.) and I was blown away by how generous, empathetic, humble, and funny 99% of them were. In fact, the cruelest, coldest people (who played grab-ass, made service workers cry, etc.) were often the ones with faces made for radio. I realized the movies were wrong all along. It's not always the prettiest people who are the meanest and most cruel. Don't let Hollywood determine personalities based on physical appearance, like with Elle. Give everyone a chance to show their true selfs before jumping to fiction-driven conclusions.

[@khushichadha512]

i have a hunch Hollywood writers make models cruel cause they got romantically rejected, that or some in early days of modelling had personality Tyra banks shows in America's top model

[@angeline6477]

Not sure if this is the take you meant from someone to get from this video but you mentioned how Elle is kind/pleasant even to people who are rude or petty or underestimate her but she also sticks up for herself when needed. And that's honestly what I aspire to be. Someone who is kind but also says "I don't deserve to be treated like this". I'm better at standing up for myself around authority figures than peers but now I've got some inspiration

[@katherinealvarez9216]

8:24 the fashion industry does have a lot of issues but color theory and how to present your product and self expression? Valid.

[@acecosmonaut5559]

Legally Blonde is my favorite movie. Whenever I feel down or stressed, it's the one movie that never fails to cheer me up. Thanks so much for talking about this movie!

[@xHarpyx]

I watched this movie a lot growing up and your breakdown has really opened my eyes to a lot of the great lessons learned. Your work is awesome :-) keep it up

[@lalliefly]

I Loooved legally blonde as a kid, I've watched it many times, and it's still a film i think is super enjoyable to watch. And I remember loving that Elle and Vivienne became friends, and I thought it was so refreshing.

[@Girlhead]

Elle was always kind and classy, positive, sweet and girly- I LOVE this character.

[@Squintina]

I loved that Legally Blonde had her be amazing while still being very feminine. I've always hated the idea that a "strong woman" was one that let go of these things and became masculine. I think it's because as a kid, I was often accused of being a tomboy for liking various boy things - but the same people would ignore the many "girl things" I did like! And it was frustrating. It's also why I don't like the Lara Croft (Angelina Jolie) movies. A lot of people love them, but I loved the games because she would be strong while still being very gracious (I loved those acrobatic water dives), she had a music room and enjoyed classical music, and in Tomb Raider 2, we can see she owned a rather feminine nightgown. In her younger years, she was shown to have pigtails. But then the movie took away most of that and of course she had to be all into hardcore music, not care about her appearance, and just overall made to seem like she was just a guy in a female body and that her friends were shocked when she decided to actually wear something feminine.

[@astralwishes13]

i also love how when elle was interrogating chutney, despite literally accusing her of murder, still took the time to compliment her. when she’s talking about her sorority friend got a perm, she says to chutney “she didn’t have your bone structure” literally going out of her way to compliment a women’s appearance despite her being interrogated. it’s a really sweet moment and represents that despite her intelligence and professionalism elle never felt the need to be cruel or mean. she always stayed true to her kindness and good nature.

[@dr.braxygilkeycruises1460]

I am so happy I found this channel today!!! Love this video. 🤗🙌🏽👍🏽

[@Lildeadthing420]

Fave vid from this channel and one of my faves on this platform

[@HarvestLockwood]

Watching this video essay made me tear up a lot because you helped me understand WHY I love this movie so much. I LOVE that Elle is GOOD and KIND and never loses that even as she goes after goals. And I love that this movie celebrates the relationships between women instead of pitting them against each other for the sake of drama (or even a laugh).

[@kathycoleman4648]

Thank you for the lovely take on one of my favorite movies of all time. I was in my first year of uni when this film released and bought it on a whim from a downtown mini-Walmart to play in the DVD player on my PC in my dorm. From there I've probably watched it over 100 times. I was sitting here quoiting parts of it as I listened to your video. :D

[@charlottepeony4083]

you phrased this so beautifully. I love this movie, and I love Elle, she is so inspiring.

[@julesk2629]

This movie honestly was so ahead of its time in so many ways

[@sunlovr13]

Elle Woods inspired me to want to become a lawyer when I was a senior in high school, and this newfound fire in me the same that is seen in Elle's character in the movie was very much observed in me by everybody in my school, especially when I competed in our debate team, and that school year really was memorable for me and shaped me who I am and how I carry myself with my studies and though I've ended up studying psychology in uni now, these kind of traits of determination and individualism is how I intend to be when I have my career one day. 💖

[@Cheskaz]

Awesome video, thank you for making it!

[@vince5340]

I LOVE LEGALLY BLONDE!!! So happy you did a video on it ! The musical is really fun too and also free to watch on youtube 🙂

[@orboakin8074]

I remember watching this movie as a kid in Nigeria in the early 2000s. Btw, I'm a guy. I really like the comedy, and the perseverance of Elle. It was just another good example of the .any great female characters western media used to make back then i.e., being strong, perseverant, undergoing growth and development, being likable, and being feminine👏👏 She reminded me of Ginger Foutley, Helga Pataki, Juniper Lee and others😊 Sadly, these days, western media tends to push more toxic identity politics when it comes to most of their female characters and even diverse ones😔

[@mlk0-0]

My sisters and I *just* watched this film a few weeks ago and really, really enjoyed it. I love Elle; I finally get all the hype over her and this film, and I agree

[@kathrynshek8760]

honestly one of my favourite aspects about Elles character is the scene with the rayon scene near the beginning. Not only was she able to pick out the fabric and name a stitch, with the fact that she remembered not just the cover of a magazine but the inside of it as well, proving that she was and had the capability of being really 'traditionally' smart, she just put in more effort when it came to the things she was interested in.

[@annakohler7243]

This ist an absolutely amazing Essay. Well researched, incredibly written

[@Moontess]

I've watched 'Legally Blonde' in my teens, 20s and now 30s, and I have to say that its message is timeless - or rather, it speaks to me at different levels. As a teen, I really appreciated the themes about being accepted in spite of your appearance or first impressions. In my 20s, I was inspired by the themes of finding your calling in your own way. In my 30s, I'm starting to appreciate the themes about the power of women lifting up other women. I wonder what I'll get from LB in my 40s? 😆😆 But seriously, I really appreciated your video essay about one of my favourite movies - it's put into words some of the reasons why I love Elle Woods and her friends.

[@vthenarheqa]

I still love rewatching this movie every now and then. Absolutely love how it breaks down the dumb blonde trope. Great essay, thanks!

[@PriyaPatel-wn2wr]

Thank you so much for this video. Loved it

[@rivkavermeij]

I only saw Legally Blonde for the first time last year. As someone who's studying law, I thought I should've watched it at least once, and tbh it was a lot better than I had expected, judging by the title. It's a great movie actually, and I think we could all learn a little from Elle Woods.

[@alyssa09485]

OHHH my god the connection between Elle, the Devil Wears Prada, and the Dolly Parton interviews are so good. This is such a good video essay and has put my thoughts about this movie into words

[@bcatbb2896]

Sometimes I still go back and watch this movie This movie was amazing honestly

[@nerolia_gaming8030]

Thank you for your work on this video!