Legally Blonde

Legally Blonde (2001)

Directed by Robert Luketic

Based on the novel “Legally Blonde” by Amanda Brown

Screenplay by Karen McCullah, Kirsten Smith

Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Luke Wilson, Selma Blair, Matthew Davis, Jennifer Coolidge

When her boyfriend (Davis) dumps her, fashion major Elle Woods (Witherspoon) decides to follow him to Harvard Law School. Now she’s out of her element and searching for a way to prove herself. As she works, Elle discovers that she might just be cut out for the law.

This is a fun comedy from 2001, based on the novel of the same name by Amanda Brown. Karen McCullah (10 Things I Hate About You) and Kirsten Smith (The Ugly Truth) adapted the novel into the screenplay, and Robert Luketic (21) signed on to direct. The film stars Academy Award winner Reese Witherspoon (Devil’s Knot). The cast also includes Luke Wilson (Idiocracy), Selma Blair (Cruel Intentions), Matthew Davis (Pearl Harbor), and Jennifer Coolidge (For Your Consideration).

Sometimes a simple story with the right twists can result in a charming and funny film. This is one of those instances. The premise is totally ridiculous. How does someone decide to go to law school at Harvard at the last-minute? How does a fashion student pass the LSAT? How does a young lady discover herself in the midst of law school? All of these questions are answered nicely in this one. The comedy leads the way, creating dialogue that’s a constant string of hilarious moments. The characters are designed to create great contrast between one another. From the ultra-serious academics, to the blue-collar friends, to Elle herself; each of the characters brings something different to the film. Like most comedies, this one lives in a world that you shouldn’t take too seriously. This means you can sit back and just enjoy this one.

So a great story needs the right star, and Reese Witherspoon was a great choice for this one. She’s funny and good-looking, the perfect combination for a comedy that needed a fish-out-of-water. She not only does a good job with the comedy, but also with the more sincere moments of the movie. While she was already a star, this movie provided one more example of her versatility and skill.

Selma Blair, Luke Wilson, Matthew Davis, and Jennifer Coolidge also do great work in this one. The acting seems to pick up on the tone of the film and everyone does a nice job bringing out the comedy.

This movie is a fun, lighthearted comedy that has aged nicely. The story lacks the kind of comedy that would date it. The acting does all the right things in making this one work. Overall, this is one that comedy fans should all check out. I would also suggest this to fans of Witherspoon. I give this one 4 out of 5 stars.

Rating: PG-13

Running Time: 96 Minutes