Let's be real. When you think of Romy and Michele, you think of the iconic duo walking into their high school reunion in those shiny, metallic mini-dresses. You think of the Post-it Note lie. You think of the "interpretive dance" to Cyndi Lauper. But there is a huge chunk of the story that people just... forget. I’m talking about Romy and Michele: In the Beginning, the 2005 prequel that most fans of the original movie treat like a fever dream or a trivia question they can't quite answer.
It’s weird, right? Usually, when a cult classic gets a follow-up, everyone loses their minds. But because this one was a made-for-TV movie on ABC Family—and because it didn't star Mira Sorvino or Lisa Kudrow—it slipped through the cracks. But honestly? If you look at it through the lens of mid-2000s nostalgia, it’s a fascinating time capsule. It tries to answer the question of how these two ended up in Los Angeles in the first place, and it does so with a surprising amount of heart, even if it feels a little "budget" compared to the theatrical masterpiece we all know and love.
What Actually Happens in Romy and Michele: In the Beginning?
The story kicks off in 1987. We're in Tucson, Arizona. Romy and Michele have just graduated high school. Katherine Heigl takes on the role of Romy White, while Alex Breckenridge (who you probably recognize from Virgin River or This Is Us) plays Michele Weinberger. It’s a bold move to recast such iconic roles, but they actually nail the mannerisms. Breckenridge, in particular, gets that specific, airy vocal fry that Lisa Kudrow perfected.
They are stuck. They're working at a dead-end job, dreaming of something bigger, and basically being the outcasts they always were. The plot centers on their desperate need to get out of Tucson and make it to Hollywood. They aren't looking for fame in the traditional sense; they just want to be fabulous. They want to be around people who get their fashion sense.
The conflict? Money. Or the lack of it. They try to save up by working at a local burger joint, but they’re easily distracted. Eventually, they decide to just wing it. They pack up their neon clothes and head for the coast. Most of the movie deals with their first few months in LA, trying to find an apartment they can't afford and pretending they’ve already made it. It’s the "fake it till you make it" origin story.
Recasting the Icons: Heigl and Breckenridge
Let's talk about the elephant in the room. Recasting. It’s always a risk. When you have Mira Sorvino’s Oscar-winning energy and Lisa Kudrow’s sitcom perfection, anyone else is going to face an uphill battle.
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Katherine Heigl was right at the peak of her Grey's Anatomy fame when this came out. She plays Romy with a bit more of a "straight man" edge. She’s the one trying to hold things together, even though she’s just as delusional as Michele. It’s a different vibe. It’s less "quirky girl" and more "determined dreamer."
Alex Breckenridge is the standout. Seriously. If you close your eyes, she sounds exactly like the Michele we met in 1997. She captures that specific brand of "smart-dumb"—the kind of person who is actually quite creative and emotionally intelligent but has zero common sense when it comes to how the world works.
The chemistry isn't quite the same as the original duo, but it works for what it is. In Romy and Michele: In the Beginning, the friendship feels younger and more frantic. They haven't had ten years of living in LA to mellow out yet. They’re still reacting to the trauma of high school, which is fresh in their minds.
Why the Fans Felt Betrayed (And Why They Were Wrong)
People hated this when it premiered. Or they ignored it. Why?
- The Lack of Mira and Lisa: For most people, Romy and Michele are Mira and Lisa. Without them, it felt like a cheap knockoff.
- The ABC Family Aesthetic: The original movie had a specific, vibrant, cinematic look. The prequel looks like a mid-2000s TV movie. It’s flatter. The lighting is different.
- The Continuity Issues: If you’re a hardcore fan, you’ll notice things don't perfectly line up with the 1997 film's flashbacks.
But here’s the thing: Romy and Michele: In the Beginning wasn't trying to replace the original. It was an expansion. It’s basically fan fiction with a budget. If you stop comparing it to a theatrical release and start viewing it as a long-form pilot for a TV show that never happened, it’s actually quite charming. It captures that terrifying, exciting moment of being 18 and leaving home for the first time with nothing but a suitcase full of spandex and a best friend who believes in you.
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The Fashion and the 80s/90s Transition
The movie takes place in that weird transition period between the late 80s and the early 90s. The costumes are... a lot. We’re talking massive hair, blue eyeshadow, and layers of lace. Robin Lewis-West, the costume designer, had a massive task here. She had to bridge the gap between "Tucson High Schoolers" and "LA Fashion Icons."
The outfits in the prequel are intentionally "bad-good." They look like something two girls in Arizona would make if they only had a sewing machine and a subscription to Vogue. It adds a layer of vulnerability to the characters. They’re trying so hard. When they finally get to LA and see how people actually dress, you see them start to evolve into the characters we know.
The Script and the Robin Schiff Connection
One reason this prequel still feels "authentic" to the brand is because Robin Schiff wrote and directed it. Schiff is the creator of the characters. She wrote the original play (The Ladies' Room) and the 1997 screenplay.
Because the creator was involved, the "voice" of the characters remains intact. The dialogue still has that rhythmic, repetitive quality.
"I'm the cute one."
"No, I'm the cute one."
It’s that circular logic that makes them so endearing. Schiff clearly loves these characters, and she treats them with a lot of respect, even in a lower-budget format. She doesn't make them the butt of the joke; she makes the world the obstacle they have to overcome.
Is it Worth a Watch in 2026?
Honestly? Yes. If you can find it streaming (it pops up on various platforms every now and then), it’s a great Sunday afternoon watch. It’s a nostalgia trip twice over—once for the 80s setting and once for the 2005 production style.
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It’s also a lesson in character development. We see Romy and Michele before they became "Romy and Michele." We see the insecurity. We see the moment they decided that being themselves was more important than fitting in, even if being themselves meant being totally broke in a city that only cares about money.
How to Appreciate the Prequel
- Lower your expectations for production value. It’s a TV movie.
- Appreciate the Breckenridge performance. It’s a masterclass in mimicry.
- Look for the Easter eggs. There are plenty of nods to the original film's jokes.
- Ignore the timeline. Just enjoy the vibes.
The Legacy of the Brand
Romy and Michele have become symbols of female friendship. They don’t fight over guys (mostly). They don't betray each other for career success. Their primary relationship is with each other. Romy and Michele: In the Beginning reinforces this. It shows that their bond wasn't just something that happened because they were roommates; it was forged in the fire of being "the weird girls" in a small town.
The prequel reminds us that everyone starts somewhere. Even the women who invented Post-its (okay, not really) had to figure out how to pay rent and navigate the scary world of adulthood.
If you want to dive deeper into the lore, your best bet is to revisit the 1997 film immediately after watching the prequel. It makes the reunion in the original movie feel much more earned. You realize how far they actually came—from the dusty streets of Tucson to the helipad of a California hotel.
Your Romy and Michele Action Plan
If you’re looking to scratch that nostalgic itch, don't just stop at the movies.
- Watch the Prequel First: If you can find it, treat it like an "Episode 0." It sets the stage for their dynamic.
- Listen to the Soundtrack: Both the original movie and the prequel have killer soundtracks. The prequel leans heavily into 80s pop like "The Go-Go's" and "Cyndi Lauper." It’s a vibe.
- Host a Themed Night: Seriously. Get some gummy cherries, wear something bright, and watch both movies back-to-back.
- Follow the Creators: Keep an eye on Robin Schiff. There have been rumors for years about a true sequel with Mira and Lisa. Supporting the prequel and the original on streaming platforms is the best way to show studios there is still an audience for these characters.
Romy and Michele are more than just a 90s meme. They represent the idea that as long as you have one person who believes in your nonsense, you can take on the world. The prequel might not be a "masterpiece," but it’s a vital part of that story. It’s the messy, awkward, neon-colored beginning that every icon deserves.
Don't let the "made-for-TV" label scare you off. It's a fun, lighthearted piece of pop culture history that deserves a second look. Just don't expect it to explain the Post-it thing. That's a secret they'll take to their graves. Or at least to the next reunion.