Film Review: Legally Blonde (2001)

When Amanda Brown enrolled into Stanford Law School in 1993, she probably didn’t envision that it would lead to one of the more successful Hollywood comedies of early 2000s. She never graduated, but her stay at the campus wasn’t for naught; her observations about student life and interactions with her classmates were extensively described in letters to her parents. Those letters became basis for her 2001 novel Legally Blonde, which, in turn, became basis for eponymous film directed by Robert Luketic.

Protagonist, played by Reese Witherspoon, is Elle Woods, college student who seems to have anything California girl should have – status of the most popular girl on campus, chairmanship of prestigious sorority and reputation of ultimate arbiter what is “cool” and what is not when it comes to fashion, makeup and hairstyles. Her world comes crushing down after her long time boyfriend Warren Huntigton III (played by Matthew Davis), instead of formally proposing her, tells that he intends to follow family tradition and pursue political career. Elle, on the account of being blonde, is considered to be “shallow” and bad for his image, so he intends to marry Vivian Kensigton (played by Selma Blair), brunette from “proper” aristocratic family. Elle is deeply hurt but also convinced that he could prove Warren wrong by following him to prestigious Harvard Law School. She manages to apply and be accepted there, but it soon turns out that her Southern Californian mores are at odds with traditional East Coast values, so few people take her seriously. However, after some time, it turns that under the cover of “ditzy” blonde lies true legal talent, which is recognised even by Professor Callahan (played by Victor Garber) who hires her as an intern in his law firm during high-profile criminal case.

Legally Blonde doesn’t offer anything new, at least to those who have seen even the small number of Hollywood films before. Almost all creativity seems to be spent on “high concept” premise, which is followed by the usual set of cliches and predictable plot, which includes heroine finding her Mr. Right and spectacular courtroom finale. On the other hand, the film nevertheless manages to show just enough charm and wit to make the watching enjoyable. Script by Karen McCullah Lutz and Kirsten Smith occasionally provides mild satirical commentary on young American women’s obsession with their looks. But the more impressive is the work of cast, enthusiastically handled by Australian director Robert Luketic in his first feature film. This includes supporting cast with younger actresses like Jennifer Cauffiel and Selma Blair being aided by veterans like Jennifer Coolidge and Holland Taylor. Ultimately, film rests on the shoulders of Reese Witherspoon, who, shortly after shining as Tracy Flick in Election proves to be one of the most formidable comediennes of her generation. With her combination of vulnerability, charm, intelligence and sex appeal she makes this feather-light comedy much more pleasant experience than its worn out premise might indicate. Legally Blonde was successful at the box office and followed by predictably inferior 2003 sequel Legally Blonde 2: Red, White and Blue and 2009 direct-to-video spin off Legally Blondes.

RATING: 5/10 (++)

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