Legally Blonde Reviews

Elle Woods, sorority president, fashion major and owner of a chihuahua, expects the love of her life to propose to her, but instead he breaks up with her, telling her that he cannot be with her since she is not a Jackie Kennedy Onasis, but a Marilyn Monroe. Since he is going off to Harvard law with aspirations to be a senator, Elle decides that the way to win him back is to enter Harvard law school as well. And, amazingly, this blonde gets in with a hilarious admittence video and a very impressive LSAT score. Yet, when Elle arrives at Harvard, she realizes that being a lawyer may be more appropriate for her than a Victoria Secrets model. Definately recommend this movie for everyone. It is pretty predictable, but who cares? It still is entertaining until the end.

Rating: 4 - More of a "Girly" Movie- But Still Enjoyable!
Legally Blonde" is a showcase for Reese Witherspoon that continues to highlight her talents. The film draws comparisons with "Clueless" since the theme is essentially identical. Elle (Witherspoon) progresses from a culturally challenged blonde bubblehead to a high achieving Harvard law student for all the wrong reasons. All the while she has to endure mockery for her valley girl attitudes. Of course, she triumphs over east coast bigotry and over own limitations, but for all the wrong reasons.

The story is cute, but lacks the insight and nuance of "Clueless". However, Witherspoon outdoes Alicia Silverstone's performance with her sheer energy and determination. Both were excellent, but Witherspoon is the more dynamic.

The acting by the ensemble of supporting actors is very good and helps Witherspoon look that much better. The cast is rich in aspiring actors with strong talent and little name recognition. Of particular note are the performances of Selma Blair and Luke Wilson. Blair plays the uppity girlfriend of Elle's former boyfriend Warner (Matthew Davis). Blair is wonderfully condescending and catty throughout most of the film, but shows the ability to move into a softer, more likeable portrayal by the end. Wilson's soft spoken demeanor is perfect for his nurturing role in this film. His support is the catalyst that makes Elle's transition work.

Reese Witherspoon has been gradually moving to progressively larger parts for the last ten years, and at age 25 she made the leap to the lead with this film. She definitely makes the most of the opportunity. She simply dominates the entire film with a high energy performance that has as much steel as perfume. She makes Elle as lovable as she is ridiculous, while instilling her with qualities that you can't help but admire as the film progresses. If this is representative of the wattage she will bring to films, then her future is likely to be very bright.

This is not a great film, or oscar winner, but it is very charming and watchable. I rated it a 7/10. We may look back on this film as the one that launched a prominent career.

Rating: 5 - "The 'bend and snap' works every time!"
"Legally Blonde" was one of the funniest films released in 2001. The film stars the very talented Reese Witherspoon (known also for her role in the 1998 film "Pleasantville") as sorority-queen Elle Woods, who majored in college in fashion merchandising. The film begins with Elle being dumped by her boyfriend Warner Huntington III (Matthew Davis), who plans to attend the prestigious Harvard Law School. Determined to be with Warner, Elle decides to take the L.S.A.T. so that she can apply to Harvard Law School herself. After studying harder than she has ever done in her life, Elle passes the L.S.A.T. and films an introductory video of herself to send with her application to Harvard Law School. The Admissions Committee at Harvard Law School approves and Elle begins her journey into a new life at Harvard. Elle's vivacious, naive, sorority-party attitude doesn't exactly fit the typical Harvard Law School student. However, after Elle meets Warner's snobbish fiancée, Vivian Kensington (Selma Blair), she is befriended by a poorly educated manicurist, Paulette Bonafonté (Jennifer Coolidge), who inspires Elle to become a more serious law student.

The film takes some unexpected turns as Elle is propelled into world of jurisprudence and the court of law. Memorable scenes in the film include Elle's first law school class with Professor Stromwell (Holland Taylor), Elle's revealing costume, Elle explaining the dynamics of the "bend and snap" to Paulette, and Elle explaining perm maintenance in a courtroom. Other wonderful characters include Emmett (Luke Wilson), Professor Callahan (Victor Garber), Brooke Taylor Windham (Ali Larter), the UPS Guy (Bruce Wilson), Enrique (Greg Serano), Chutney Windham (Linda Cardellini) and a brief appearance by Raquel Welch as Mrs. Windham Vandermark.

"Legally Blonde" is an engaging and endearing comedy whose success resulted not only from a great story, but also the talents of Reese Witherspoon for making a fashion merchandising major turned law student plausible. Overall, I rate "Legally Blonde" with a much-deserved 5 out of 5 stars. I hope that its sequel to be released in July 2003 ("Legally Blonde 2: Red, White and Blonde". also starring Reese Witherspoon) will be equally as funny and further demonstrate Elle Woods' passion for the study and practice of law.

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