I'm surprised at how much I enjoyed this script. I found myself really rooting for Elle throughout the story (except, say, for the first five pages). I'd say that there are three plot lines here: a love interest subplot, Paulette's subplot, and the main self-confidence / lawyer plot, which is hidden for awhile. Without further ado:
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2-8: Introduce Elle and her sorority world. She's ditzy, but surprisingly smart in her areas of interest. Foreshadows Elle's boyfriend, Warner, proposing to her.
6: Elle's dumb blonde stereotype is broken effectively when she tells off an arrogant saleswoman by spouting off an impressive array of technical fashion jargon / knowledge. Previous four pages show her as a beautiful, nice girl, but this is where her character starts to become an appealing hero.
9: Warner breaks up with Elle because she's not "serious" enough.
10-15: Elle copes. Humor keeps this section moving.
16: Decides to go to Harvard Law to become "serious" and win back Warner (after seeing a magazine showing Warner's brother marrying a law student)
18-25: Elle preps to get into Harvard. Montage studying for LSAT. Preps a video essay.
26: Gets to Harvard.
Elle is treated like an outcast. Warner rebukes her. Everyone makes fun of her. She begins a subplot with Paulette, a manicurist, who encourages her. Elle begins to work hard, study, etc. She starts to perform well in class. Elle meets Emmett, an older lawyer, who encourages her and becomes a love interest.
62: Elle gets an apprenticeship with a professor / attorney Donovan. The team is assigned to a high-profile murder case.
Elle works the case, bringing her unique background to full effect. Only she believes in and can relate to the client. Although first considered a joke, she slowly shows how valuable her insight is, especially when her tip exposes a lying witness.
Elle also helps Paullette and other salon patrons, even helps a dorky Harvard student. Begins to earn the respect of Warner's new fiance.
101: The low point. Professor Donovan comes on to Elle. She thinks the only reason he invited her into the practice was because she was a piece of meat. Her self-confidence shatters and she leaves the practice.
People encourage Elle. She becomes lead attorney for the client, replacing Donovan.
114: Elle wins the case with dedication and some valuable hair-care knowledge.
A few loose ends are tied. Huzzah huzzah.
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I say the main plot is somewhat hidden because this is a story about Elle become a mature, confident young woman. When Warner, her boyfriend, brakes up with her, he mentions that she's not "serious." But, this word is not effective enough at communicating the purpose of Elle's law pursuits. She first and foremost wants to win back Warner, not improve herself.
Still, I'm not complaining, it just gave a little extra zip to the first half of Act II. The Paulette subplot was well-executed and everything it's supposed to be: a theme-articulating companion to the main story. The love sublot was a little more ambiguous (since the main plot weaves through it), but effective at moving things a long.
But here's the thing: I liked this story mostly because Elle is a multifaceted hero (beautiful and ditzy, but passionate and resourceful), who gets thrown into a number of challenges where her background provides creative avenues to solutions. Further, I found scenes where she used her sorority background, her weakness for much of Act II, as a strength to help other people (like Paulette in the subplot and a dorky law student near the end of Act II).
Overall, I felt it was a cleverly crafted story.
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2-8: Introduce Elle and her sorority world. She's ditzy, but surprisingly smart in her areas of interest. Foreshadows Elle's boyfriend, Warner, proposing to her.
6: Elle's dumb blonde stereotype is broken effectively when she tells off an arrogant saleswoman by spouting off an impressive array of technical fashion jargon / knowledge. Previous four pages show her as a beautiful, nice girl, but this is where her character starts to become an appealing hero.
9: Warner breaks up with Elle because she's not "serious" enough.
10-15: Elle copes. Humor keeps this section moving.
16: Decides to go to Harvard Law to become "serious" and win back Warner (after seeing a magazine showing Warner's brother marrying a law student)
18-25: Elle preps to get into Harvard. Montage studying for LSAT. Preps a video essay.
26: Gets to Harvard.
Elle is treated like an outcast. Warner rebukes her. Everyone makes fun of her. She begins a subplot with Paulette, a manicurist, who encourages her. Elle begins to work hard, study, etc. She starts to perform well in class. Elle meets Emmett, an older lawyer, who encourages her and becomes a love interest.
62: Elle gets an apprenticeship with a professor / attorney Donovan. The team is assigned to a high-profile murder case.
Elle works the case, bringing her unique background to full effect. Only she believes in and can relate to the client. Although first considered a joke, she slowly shows how valuable her insight is, especially when her tip exposes a lying witness.
Elle also helps Paullette and other salon patrons, even helps a dorky Harvard student. Begins to earn the respect of Warner's new fiance.
101: The low point. Professor Donovan comes on to Elle. She thinks the only reason he invited her into the practice was because she was a piece of meat. Her self-confidence shatters and she leaves the practice.
People encourage Elle. She becomes lead attorney for the client, replacing Donovan.
114: Elle wins the case with dedication and some valuable hair-care knowledge.
A few loose ends are tied. Huzzah huzzah.
***************************
I say the main plot is somewhat hidden because this is a story about Elle become a mature, confident young woman. When Warner, her boyfriend, brakes up with her, he mentions that she's not "serious." But, this word is not effective enough at communicating the purpose of Elle's law pursuits. She first and foremost wants to win back Warner, not improve herself.
Still, I'm not complaining, it just gave a little extra zip to the first half of Act II. The Paulette subplot was well-executed and everything it's supposed to be: a theme-articulating companion to the main story. The love sublot was a little more ambiguous (since the main plot weaves through it), but effective at moving things a long.
But here's the thing: I liked this story mostly because Elle is a multifaceted hero (beautiful and ditzy, but passionate and resourceful), who gets thrown into a number of challenges where her background provides creative avenues to solutions. Further, I found scenes where she used her sorority background, her weakness for much of Act II, as a strength to help other people (like Paulette in the subplot and a dorky law student near the end of Act II).
Overall, I felt it was a cleverly crafted story.