This blonde has a few highlights
 Apr 11th, 2006
Advantages:
Reese Witherspoon, innocent humour
Disadvantages:
May not appeal to male audiences
Recommendable:
Yes
Detailed rating:
Did you enjoy it?
Story
Characters / Performances
Special Effects
How does it compare to similar films?
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Review rated by 75 Ciao members on average: very helpful 
Life could not get any better for Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon), not only is she the most popular girl in school, but she has stunning good looks which made her the home coming queen. On top of this, she believes that her boyfriend Warner Huntington III (Matthew Davis) is about to propose to her over a beautiful candlelit meal in a swanky restaurant. Sadly, her perfect little world comes crashing down around her, when Warner says that he can no longer date her, as he has plans to enter the political world after he has graduated as a lawyer from Harvard University, and needs to be seen with the right sort of woman on his arm. Devastated by this unexpected news, she goes into hiding until her girlfriends convince her that the best way to get over a broken heart is to have a beauty therapy session. The lift is all she needs and decides that she is going to prove to Warren that she can be the woman he needs.
Although not the most academic of students, she sets herself to the task and after a monumental effort; she manages to achieve the required pass mark to be eligible to apply to Harvard. Having achieved the minimum entry requirements, she sends in a very girlie promotional video of her in a bikini to the Harvard entrance committee, who being an all man committee allow her in. At first, Elle's girlie nature and love of everything pink, makes her the joke of Harvard as the serious law students pour scorn on her appearance and lack of seriousness. Things don't go to plan, and after purposefully bumping into Warren, she is shocked to find out that
he has become engaged to one of her tormentors, Vivian (Selma Blair). Distraught by this turn of affairs, she sets her mind to proving all her critics wrong, and dedicates herself to her studies. Her new found seriousness wins favour with her professor who picks her amongst a group of students, which includes Vivian and Warner, to work on a real murder case involving a famous fitness instructor, Brook Taylor Windham (Ali Larter). Being a huge fan of her, believes that Brook has to be innocent and sets about finding the shocking truth.
Having refused pleas from my nieces to watch Legally Blonde, in the belief that it was going to be a really terrible chick flick, I finally succumbed to the pressure, and was surprised at how enjoyable it was. It is by no means an intelligent film, as it never sets out to be, but the humour through out the whole film is innocent and very good. The plot itself is a bit of teenage fantasy which will appeal to young girls as it also includes a sub romantic story. But the real emphasis of this story is watching Elle succeed where she is expected to fail due to her girlie nature. The story itself is unoriginal, and many of the elements have been done to death within the film industry, but even though it is predictable, it is the humorous side of the movie where the real enjoyment lies.
Right from the initial scenes, the film sets up the perfect, pink world of Elle and the overly girlieness of it is very funny. But the real comedy starts when she sets herself the task of getting into Harvard, with the unbelievably funny promotional video. This is then capitalized on when she reaches Harvard and brings her pink world into its very staid atmosphere of sensible clothing and seriousness. Unlike many modern comedies, Legally Blonde works on displaying situation comedy rather than placing purposeful jokes throughout the movie. The humour itself comes mainly in the form of the girlie pastiche which is totally over the top and as a bloke, found myself laughing at most of it and being thankful that I don't live in a pink world.
The casting of Reese Witherspoon (Walk the Line) as Elle was a masterful stroke, as she displays all the girlie characteristics down to a tee. Her performance works on several levels as her naivety, girlie notions and good looks appeals to a wide demographic of viewers, both male and female. As her nemesis Vivian, is Selma Blair (Hellboy) a very typical law student, in her boring clothes who despises everything about Elle. The interaction between the two of them is great, especially as she realizes that Elle may not be the dizzy blonde that she initially expected. The third most important character in the film is that of teaching assistant Emmett, played by Luke Wilson (Old School). Although his character is not that strong in the film, it is his relationship with Elle as mentor and friend makes his role pivotal in the story. There are 2 other notable performances which add to the appeal of the film, these come from Jennifer Coolidge (American Pie) as Elle's beauty therapist friend, and Ali Larter (Final Destination) as fitness instructor Brook. Both of which are very enjoyable for different reasons and add a bit more interest to an already enjoyable film. Legally Blonde is directed by Australian Robert Luketic who went on to direct Monster-in-Law. In some ways it surprises me that such a girlie movie was directed by a man, but in doing so he has created a film which will appeal to men as well as women. The soundtrack to the film is mainly along a romantic theme alternating between soft numbers to up tempo fun numbers. In all honesty it is pretty unmemorable as soundtracks goes but does include 3 of my favourite numbers "You Sexy Thing" by Hot Chocolate, "Sex Machine" by James Brown and "Get Down on it" BY Kool & the Gang.
=
The Cast
=======Reese Witherspoon .... Elle Woods
Luke Wilson .... Emmett Richmond
Selma Blair .... Vivian Kensington
Jennifer Coolidge .... Paulette Bonafonté
Ali Larter .... Brooke Taylor Windham
Matthew Davis .... Warner Huntington III
Victor Garber .... Professor Callahan
Jessica Cauffiel .... Margot
Alanna Ubach .... Serena
Bruce Thomas .... UPS Guy
Raquel Welch .... Mrs. Windham Vandermark
*****************************=======
Technical Details
============= Certificate: 12
Length: 92 mins
Originally released: 2001
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The Message *****************************=== With a bit of effort you can achieve anything. Okay, just an enjoyable comedy with no real message.
*****************************==
Conclusion *****************************== In my opinion, Legally Blonde is a reasonable film if you are looking for something just to relax in front of, with out having to think. Although it is predictable, like many films these days, the appeal of this film lies within the comedy and of course Witherspoon's performance. Although mainly intended for a predominantly female, teenage market, it has a certain amount of appeal to all ages of viewers, whether male or female and makes for an enjoyable film for the whole family to watch.
Legally Blonde is available on Amazon for £6.97 but you can buy it with its sequel for a package price of £11.97.
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![Legally Blonde [DVD] [2001]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78531096.jpg)
by (1%):
28.06.2006 13:03
Love the film and love the review.
25.04.2006 21:31
It's a great 'chick flick'! shame the sequal wasn't as good. Jane x
20.04.2006 19:19
SORRY, clicked on the wrong button, meant to click on very helpful (stupid cordless mouse) As a girlie, I found this film ok but too pink and fluffy in places. Top review ;-)