The Reality Behind Elle Woods' Journey to Harvard: Fact vs. Fiction in "Legally Blonde"
"Legally Blonde," released in 2001, quickly became a cultural phenomenon, celebrated for its empowering message and Reese Witherspoon's portrayal of Elle Woods. The film follows Elle, a fashion-conscious sorority president, as she pursues a law degree at Harvard University to win back her ex-boyfriend. While the movie is beloved for its humor and heart, how much of Elle's journey reflects the reality of applying to and attending Harvard Law School? This article aims to dissect the plausibility of Elle's acceptance and experiences, separating fact from fiction.
Elle's Undergraduate Background: Atypical, but Not Impossible
In the movie, Elle Woods studies fashion merchandising as an undergraduate. While a 4.0 GPA aligns with Harvard's academic expectations, her choice of major is less conventional for aspiring law students. Typically, applicants to top law schools like Harvard possess degrees in fields like political science, history, or English, which provide a foundation in critical thinking, writing, and analysis-skills crucial for legal studies.
However, the film (and later the musical) only specifies that Elle attends UCLA. Although a fashion merchandising major might present a unique challenge, it doesn't automatically disqualify her. Elle's success hinges on demonstrating exceptional aptitude and potential through other aspects of her application.
The Application Process: A Few Creative Liberties
"Legally Blonde" takes some liberties with the Harvard Law School application process. One glaring inaccuracy is Elle's submission of a video instead of a written statement. Harvard Law School requires a written statement from every applicant. This deviation from standard requirements would typically result in immediate rejection.
Moreover, another character in the film, Warner, is Elle’s ex-boyfriend. He is a Harvard legacy with long-term aspirations of attending Harvard Law School. It is revealed later in the movie that he was originally waitlisted when he first applied. It also puts the admissions office into further context.
Read also: The Reality of the LSAT
However, Elle demonstrates her intelligence and determination by scoring a near-perfect 179 on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). This exceptional score significantly strengthens her application and showcases her intellectual capabilities, compensating for her unconventional academic background.
Harvard's Stance on Filming and Fictional Representation
Harvard University has a unique approach to its portrayal in film. Unlike many institutions, Harvard generally permits the use of its name in fictional works. This openness stems from a belief in the free exchange of ideas and a recognition that moviegoers understand the distinction between fiction and reality. Harvard assistant provost Sarah Wald explains that it's not a matter of taste or image, but of 1st Amendment rights.
However, Harvard maintains a strict policy against commercial filming on its campus. This policy is rooted in a desire to minimize disruption to academic activities and a lack of financial incentive, given the university's substantial endowment.
The "CULA" Conundrum: Why USC and UCLA Declined
In Amanda Brown's novel, Elle Woods attends USC before Stanford Law School. However, both USC and Stanford declined to allow their names to be used in the film. USC's campus filming coordinator, Elijah May, explained that the stereotypical portrayal of sorority life in the undergraduate scenes did not align with the university's image. Patricia Jasper, campus counsel at UCLA, stated that the university only allows its name to be used in commercial films that are clearly in its best interest, and scripts containing stereotypes or inappropriate content would be rejected.
As a result, Elle Woods earns her undergraduate degree from a fictional college called CULA in the movie. Ironically, while USC and UCLA refused to lend their names to “Legally Blonde,” both campuses were used to film many of the Harvard-based scenes.
Read also: UCLA Spirit Program
Life at Harvard Law: Reality vs. Hollywood
The film presents a somewhat romanticized version of life as a Harvard Law student. While the pressure and competitiveness are palpable, some aspects are exaggerated for comedic effect.
Orientation: Elle's arrival at Harvard, complete with pink accessories and a chihuahua, is played for laughs. While orientation does involve introductions and information sessions, it's less about social calendars and more about academic resources and expectations.
Classroom Dynamics: The movie accurately depicts the Socratic method, where professors cold-call students and challenge their reasoning. Elle's classmates reveal that they have PhDs, have recently done charity work in Somalia, organized marches, and graduated first in their class from Ivy Leagues. This stuff is legit! However, the intensity of the workload and the cutthroat atmosphere are amplified for dramatic purposes.
Study Groups and Outlines: Study groups and outlines are essential components of law school life, but Vivian's initial rejection of Elle is unrealistic. Collaboration is more common than portrayed in the film.
Fashion Choices: Elle's vibrant and fashionable attire stands in stark contrast to the typical law student uniform of jeans and sweats.
Read also: UCLA vs. Illinois: Basketball History
The Internship and Courtroom: A Stretch of Reality
One of the most significant departures from reality is Elle's internship with Professor Callahan and her subsequent role in Brooke Windham's murder trial. First-year law students rarely, if ever, participate in high-profile cases or represent clients in court. The rule that Elle uses to justify her role is real, but it only applies to students in their final year of law school. As a 1L, the most you're doing for a real lawyer is research and drafting memos. Disrupting a courtroom á la Elle's sorority sisters? Not real. A real judge would have kicked them out so fast. Huge reveals in court - like the pool boy's sexuality or Chutney's freaking confession - are not real. I'm not exaggerating, they literally never happen.
The "Bend and Snap": A Cultural Phenomenon
The "bend and snap" is one of the most iconic moments in "Legally Blonde." Co-writer Kirsten Smith invented a move, standing up and demonstrating what would become the bend and snap. It was a fully choreographed number by Toni Basil, and she was awesome.
The Ending: A Change for the Audience
The film's original ending, which featured Elle and Emmett kissing on the courthouse steps and Elle and Vivian forming a "Blonde Legal Defense Club," was deemed unsatisfactory by test audiences. A graduation scene was added to address feedback on the ending. Because Witherspoon was in England working on her next project, parts of the scene were shot at Dulwich College in London, while some of the other actors were filmed back in California.
tags: #legally #blonde #ucla #application
