Ever since Legally Blonde came out in 2001, appreciation for this movie has only grown. Though it didn't release to favorable reviews from critics, aside from praise for Reese Witherspoon's phenomenal job playing main character Elle Woods, Legally Blonde was an instant hit with fans - especially younger girls. And now that many of those girls have grown into women, there has also grown a deeper appreciation for just how great the message of this movie is. Witherspoon said in an interview with the Wall Street Journal in 2017 that, “At least once a week I have a woman come up to me and say, ‘I went to law school because of Legally Blonde." With an upcoming third movie, a Broadway play, and a famous pop star giving a tribute to Elle Woods, Legally Blonde has had a positive and lasting impact.

Elle Woods is one of those characters that was meant to be a cliché - she's girly, loves pink more than is healthy, and carries around a cute, small dog named Bruiser everywhere she goes, à la Paris Hilton. She was designed to confront the stereotypical dumb blonde, but at the beginning of the movie, we don't see much more from her than her "girly" interests in fashion and style, and her obsession over her ex-boyfriend, Warner Huntington III (played by Matthew Davis).

Warner dumps Elle, claiming she isn't "serious", and she decides to follow him to Harvard Law School to try and win him back. While at Harvard, Elle confronts gender stereotypes and prejudices against her, triumphing over each obstacle as she makes friends, wins over or confronts her antagonists, and goes through a beautiful character arc of finding herself, and finding what really matters to her.

Legally Blonde is, at the heart of it, a move which is both a resounding feminist manifesto that holds the test of time, and an inspiring message for anyone who has had to face doubt, judgment and criticism from others. The morals we can learn from this movie are worthy of adapting to our lives.

So what are some lessons we can take from this movie to help us "Elle Woods" our way through life?

Be Confident in Who You Are

Elle and Bruiser relax while studying in Legally Blonde
MGM Distribution Co.

Elle Woods steps from a lively and colorful West Coast Sorority environment, into the cool, muted, elite East Coast Harvard Law School, and the difference is night and day. With her pink and flashy attire and her tiny dog Bruiser tucked under her arm, she stands out like glitter in a courtroom. She is feminine and girly, unlike anyone else around her - but she doesn't try to change herself to adapt to her new surroundings. She doesn't care that others look down on her or even make fun of her for the things she wears, and her passions and interests. She lets it roll off her like water off freshly painted nails.

Elle's love of fashion and style, and her femininity, are never things she sacrifices for the sake of others; but rather, these things are what define her personality and who she is - and even aid her unexpectedly during a court case later. Her style doesn't restrict her; it shines through and colors everything she does, which encourages us to be the same way. To believe that not only are our interests valid, but they make us who we are and should be encouraged and celebrated.

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Be Kind and Forgiving

Elle and Bruiser
20th Century Fox 

Elle Woods is a great friend. The bond with her Sorority sisters is so tight that two of her closest friends even travel across the country to be there and support her during her first trial, at the end of the movie. The movie is filled with all sorts of expressions of friendship and kindness that are heart-warming.

Elle first befriends her manicurist Paulette, and even helps her with a personal issue in her life, including teaching her the famous "bend and snap". She faces judgment and alienation from many of her fellow students, but manages to win them over and befriend them by bringing them snacks, or talking with them and learning about their lives.

Elle's main antagonist is Warren's new girlfriend, Vivian. The two of them start off especially rough, with Vivian tricking her and mocking her more than once. And Elle has every right to be upset about this. The movie could easily have ended with Vivian being sidelined or triumphed over. But instead, by the time both women are done with Warren, Elle not only quickly forgives Vivian; they actually become friends. Elle lives the understanding of "kill them with kindness" more than almost any other movie character, and inspires us to practice forgiveness and nurture friendships, even with those we might consider our adversaries.

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Believe in Yourself

Reese Witherspoon in Legally Blonde
20th Century Fox

Elle is not just a frivolous valley girl. She is driven, ambitious, and persistent. When she decides to go to Harvard Law, a notoriously difficult school to get into, she skips hanging out with her friends and doing her usual fun activities so that she can study, and then eventually pass her LSATs and start up at one of the most challenging law schools in America.

Elle soon finds herself out of her element with classes, but she rises to the challenge, proving herself both intelligent and capable. She does especially well when she's no longer studying to impress her ex, but for her own sake. And while chasing an ex might not be exactly part of the feminist manifesto, the best character arcs show growth and change, and as Elle matures beyond the goal of getting Warren back, she discovers herself and what she really cares about.

The best message of the movie, and the true heart of its powerful feminism, happens towards the end. Elle has impressed her fellow students at an internship for Professor Callahan. She's invited to his office to talk about her future, where he tries to seduce her in exchange for helping her career. Her response is perfect - she calls him pathetic and storms out of the office. However, Elle struggles with self-doubt after this moment, believing she was given the prestigious internship only because of her looks, and she almost quits law school to go home.

But a pivotal moment happens when she is venting to her manicurist friend. Another professor overhears the story and gives her some sound advice: "If you’re going to let one stupid prick ruin your life, you’re not the girl I thought you were." Elle takes the advice to heart, regaining faith in herself and rebounding triumphantly. She wins her trial, graduates with honors, and gets a lucrative job offer. As the elected speaker at her graduation, she said it best herself:

"It is with passion, courage of conviction, and strong sense of self that we take our next steps into the world, remembering that first impressions are not always correct. You must always have faith in people. And most importantly, you must always have faith in yourself."

Elle's passion and ambition are inspiring, but that passion is driven by her faith in herself. Watching her regain it teaches us that, if we believe in ourselves and dedicate our time to what truly matters to us, we can excel beyond our wildest dreams. And if we can combine the virtues of being true to ourselves, cultivating kindness and forgiveness, and never losing faith in ourselves, there isn't much we can't do.