Legally Blonde: A ‘Perfect Day’ Girl Power Comedy

---

Sometimes there are films that hold a nostalgic place in our cinematic hearts. Legally Blonde is one of these movies. It’s one of those films I don’t foresee myself growing weary of anytime soon.

Legally Blonde (2000) Film Review

Sorority girl Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon) is preparing for an important night. Her perfect boyfriend, Warren Huntington III (Matthew Davis) is taking her out to dinner, and the expectation is she’ll return with a diamond on her ring finger. Instead, Elle’s perfect dream shatters when he instead breaks up with her. He’s about to move across the country to attend law school, and this means it’s time he gets serious. Which in turn means dropping the not-so-smart Elle.

After she picks herself up and wipes away her tears, Elle decides she’s going to earn attendance to Harvard, and win Warren back. She packs up her pink language and heads to the East Coast, determined to prove what she can really do.

This film is, nearly 20 years old, and yet despite this age gap, it’s still a relevant film that I hope new generations continue to discover. True, this might not be Oscar material, but it IS supremely entertaining, and at the end of the day, that’s what the majority of viewers look for.

FILM REVIEW | While You Were Sleeping: A RomCom Icon that Will Make You Smile

Relive a chick flick classic with #ReeseWitherspoon. Legally Blonde – A 'Perfect Day' Girl Power Comedy. #Movies #MovieArchives #Comedy Share on X

The plot is simple, but effective. It’s the kind of story that keeps you with a smile affixed the entire time, and always rooting for the girl to win. Just not in the way she sets out. Australian director Robert Luketic (also known for Monster-In-Law and Win a Date with Tad Hamilton) sets up the right look for this script, and the cast brings it all together. Reese is plucky and fabulous as the lead, and again proves why she’s an “American Sweetheart” at the cinema. Though I don’t know the history of her career, I feel like this may be the film that really gave her notoriety in Hollywood, and earned her this title. Either way, I cannot envision anyone else in this iconic role.

Additionally important character components are played by Jennifer Coolidge, Victor Garber and Luke Wilson. All play important roles in the life of Elle, though I’d be lying if I didn’t say I wish we’d see Luke’s character more. He’s the one person I don’t feel as if we really know from this story. Jennifer has a fun subplot, and of course, there’s the iconic “bend and snap” that lives on today.

With many a quotable lines (one of my favorites is the “What? Like it’s hard?” conversation), and fun antics, this story is perfect. It’s, in my opinion, one of the chick flick greats. A mantle it seems up to holding given its staying power these many years.

Content: there’s plenty of suggestive remarks and conversations. Nothing is every terribly graphic though. Elle does have to set someone straight who decides he wants something more from her. There’s some commonplace profanity. Legally Blonde is PG-13.

Photos: MGM