The Search for the Next Elle Woods: The Spoiler thread — Page 44

Spork: I didn't know that about Warner and the original novel as I've never read it (is it worth the read?). Makes Warner so much more interesting instead of being defined simply as the ass that dumps Elle.

And yes, Vivienne is barely there in the musical. Which is even more frustrating because I think the woman playing her has a great voice and barely anytime expect "Legally Blonde Remix" to exercise it. And that song/scene still doesn't seem right being campaigned by her and not the female professor they had in the film.

Yeah, and I don't think she's mean enough at times. Heck, I actually relate more to her in the musical when she says that Elle should have done the work. Sometimes they have her really mean in the show, but then other times she's just blah. Not really a great opponent for the heroine of a show, even if it is just Legally Blonde.

---

The book's biggest flaw is that it undermines the main character. Elle's transformation is unbelievable because she's framed as the stupid sorority girl who smartens up with the help of others. In the movie, Warner is much harsher on Elle. That harshness creates a contrast in which you see that Elle is smarter than he thinks. My favorite scene is actually when he tells her that “sweetie, you're not smart enough” line. However, in the musical, he appears to still have feelings for her, as in the costume scene and when he keeps calling her pooh-bear. He also sets her up as legitimately “stupid” in the costume scene because he says she gets kicked out of class every day.

Initially, I liked the idea of giving more Emmett/Elle time in the musical because he was only in a few scenes in the movie. However, by expanding their time together, Elle appears to go from one man to another; there is no independent woman here.

I also agree about Vivienne's unexplained transformation to accepting Elle. If you didn't notice her witness Elle slap Callahan, you wouldn't know that she knew the truth. I hate to go back to the movie again, but here Vivienne also helped us see more about Warner – that he was originally rejected from Harvard.

Another bad book idea was to claim a girl-power theme while making jokes about the other girls being sluts and stupid, and while stereotyping the only openly feminist character, Enid. You can't elevate one woman at the expense of other female characters; it's just contradictory.

Also great points, theminutepast. The book certainly dumbs down Elle. I also agree that Warner is less harsh in the musical. In the movie, you get the sense that he's completely underestimating her and writing off her abilities just because she's hot.

jenna: Doesn't it, though? Also makes him more sympathetic. Anyway, the book is okay, but I think that the movie improved on the material. There's no love interest for Elle, which is interesting. I didn't enjoy that aspect so much because I like a little romance, even if it's just a tiny hint of it.

It's also a lot more realistic because it was actually written by a lawyer, and Elle comes across as smarter.

---

i went to the palace box office after work and got my ticket for tomorrow night's show!
although...according to the man at the box office, bailey is performing BOTH shows tomorrow. not sure if that's old news or not...

Don't worry about ranting. I'm beginning to think we should make a thread just to tear apart LB's horrible book.

---

Updated On: 5/3/09 at 08:57 PM

I'm kind of indifferent when it comes to the Greek chorus. Clearly it's just a device to incoporate more ensemble members into the scene, as is evident in the scene leading up to Bend and Snap . Although, now that I think about it, Elle never does take their advice, which does make you question their purpose. I guess their also supposed to be Elle's personal cheerleaders maybe?

---

Updated On: 7/22/08 at 09:10 PM

Maybe she secretly liked Enid also...LOL. I dunno.

---

A scene or song between Elle and Vivienne could have been really interesting, James885.

I know this is far-fetched, and I doubt LB will have a revival after it closes, but I still can't help but wonder, are books ever re-written during revivals?

Updated On: 7/22/08 at 10:20 PM

theminutepast: Yes, they have been *see: Flower Drum Song). I reaaally hope LB's book gets to be rewritten. I think the people on this board could even do a better job, personally.

---

That's because all of the jokes taken from the movie were rephrased just enough to make them seem like they weren't stolen, yet also enough to make them somehow unfunny. It reminded me of when a student writes a paper and desperately rephrases things just enough so they don't have to put it in quotation marks.

It was almost magical how Hach could take the funniest lines from the movie and remove all of the humor from them just by, say, changing "orange" to "tangerine." Brava, Heather.

---

Updated On: 7/22/08 at 10:44 PM