Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon) proves everyone wrong when she excels at Harvard Law School in Legally Blonde, and Linda Cardellini played Chutney Windham, a character who is integral to Elle's success. Chutney studied business at Yale and lives a wealthy life thanks to her father, Hayworth Windham, who had millions in the bank. Through her work with Professor Callahan (Victor Garber), Elle cross-examines Chutney during Hayworth's murder trial, which is the defining moment of the light-hearted and cheerful film. As Elle learns more about the law, she discovers that she can use her perceptive nature and chatty disposition to find answers.

Cardellini is known for playing sweet and rebellious teenager Lindsay Weir in Freaks & Geeks and Sylvia Rosen, one of Don Draper's mistresses in Mad Men. Several of Cardellini's other roles have included love interests, like Clint Barton's (Jeremy Renner) wife in Hawkeye. In contrast, Chutney is a strong-willed, overly confident character who is used to getting her way because of her family's money. Cardellini's Legally Blonde character is important because she is the one who killed her father and her confession is the climax of the film. Elle discovers what really happened that day, impressing her peers and everyone in the courtroom.

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Linda Cardellini Played Chutney Windham In Legally Blonde

Chutney looking serious and upset in Legally Blonde

In Legally Blonde, Chutney's stepmother, Brooke Taylor Windham, played by Ali Larter, who played Resident Evil's Claire Redfield, has been accused of killing her husband. Elle questions Chutney about what she was doing that day and if she has an alibi. Chutney shares that she was washing her hair in the shower and, therefore, the water blocked any noise from the gunshot. Chutney looks confident and tough, but her voice seems shaky, and Elle is able to find the holes in the story. Elle uses her knowledge of hair and the beauty industry to challenge Chutney's statement about getting a perm hours before showering.

Chutney is significant because she murdered her father and Elle is the person who makes this big discovery. Elle is one of Witherspoon's most memorable comedic roles besides Friends and Elle brilliantly says that since Chutney had gotten perms before, she knew that the chemicals would be ruined by water. Chutney confesses that she was trying to kill Brooke instead because she's envious and upset about the relationship. Chutney says, "She's my age! Did she tell you that? How would you feel if your father married someone who was your age?" After Chutney is convicted, Elle finds the happily ever after she wanted.

Chutney Helps Elle Woods Become A More Confident Lawyer

Chutney holding her hand to her mouth in court with Elle in Legally Blonde

Chutney allows Elle to grow as a person and a lawyer, as Elle realizes that her hobbies and interests are a strength, not a weakness. Since Elle is able to make Chutney confess, Elle learns that she can be herself and a lawyer, too, and she doesn't have to hide who she is to do it. The smart Legally Blonde ending sees Elle celebrating her victory, befriending Vivian Kensington (Selma Blair), and graduating Harvard as valedictorian. Elle remembers the confidence that she gained during her trial scene with Chutney and moves forward with her life and legal aspirations.

Cardellini's Legally Blonde character is crucial to the overall plot because she allows Elle to prove that she belongs at Harvard and that exploring a legal career is the right thing to do. Before cross-examining Chutney, Elle is seen as a ditzy person who cares more about perfect hair, nails, and clothing than making a legal discovery. After, Elle wins respect and praise and greets the future with optimism. Elle says goodbye to her ex-boyfriend who was holding her back, and looks forward to more professional success, taking the lessons that she learned during Brooke's trial with her.

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