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The movie doesn’t end at the credits: Discussion Questions

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• Released in 2001, LEGALLY BLONDE champions the trials of a law student who comes from a wealthy family and is often underestimated due to her “blonde ambition.” What are some of the qualities in Elle’s character that cause you to feel compassion for her journey even though she comes from a privileged background?
• Describe Elle’s transformation from being motivated by the men in her life to becoming her own catalyst for intellectual development.
• The Bechdel Test famously measures the amount of representation women have onscreen by asking three questions: Does the film feature two women or more that have names; do the women speak to each other; and do they discuss something other than a man? Does LEGALLY BLONDE pass this test? Describe some scenes that uphold feminist values and consider other plot points that may curtail the representation of empowerment.
• How does LEGALLY BLONDE defy stereotypes, and how does it depict stereotypes? What presumptions did you bring to this movie about “blondes” and do you think the bias against women like Elle is the same as prejudice? Does it do a disservice to deep rooted discrimination to compare it with Elle’s challenges?
• LEGALLY BLONDE depicts a scene of sexual harassment, in which Elle’s superior makes a pass at her and suggests that her accepting his advances will improve her career. What is Elle’s response to this unethical behavior, and what gives her hope to continue?
• LEGALLY BLONDE refers to a famous quote by Aristotle: “The law is reason, free from passion.” What does this mean in regard to Elle’s story, and how does the film challenge this adage?
• How would you rate LEGALLY BLONDE?

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