Reese Witherspoon has executive produced a new TV series lacking in the zip and dazzle of the classic 2001 comedy, and trades laughs for sluggish teen drama cliché, writes Adam White. Young audiences deserve better

Reese Witherspoon has executive produced a new TV series lacking in the zip and dazzle of the classic 2001 comedy, and trades laughs for sluggish teen drama cliché, writes Adam…

Reese Witherspoon serves as executive producer on the series, which follows its title character during a difficult move in her teen years from sunny L.A. to rainy Seattle.

For a show that could succeed on nostalgia alone, Elle is well-executed and captures the film’s fluffy sense of humour.

What, like, making a prequel is hard?

The original star is behind this TV spin-off, and the casting of charismatic Lexi Minetree. Sadly, the tropey script and lack of campness mean it fails to really sparkle