This is the film that made Reese Witherspoon a Hollywood mainstay and a household name. It also, inadvertently, created a type for its star to work against during at least the next decade of her career. While it’s nothing terribly original, Legally Blonde manages to inject enough cultural awareness and genuine humor to make it an enjoyable affair.
Witherspoon plays Elle Woods, a stereotypical dumb blonde. She’s pretty, she’s popular and she’s a sorority girl. Instead of getting engaged, her boyfriend dumps her because he has lofty career aspirations that require a more sensible and serious partner. Naturally, Elle decides to prove herself worthy of his love by enrolling in the same law school he is attending.
Legally Blonde is a combination of several comedy and film sub-genres. It’s part fish-out-of-water tale, as Elle is completely clueless when it comes to legal jargon and procedures. There’s an underdog element to the story, as Elle struggles to win her peers over and prove that she can do this. It’s also part coming-of-age tale because Elle matures during her time in law school and comes out a different person. The filmmakers also inject a goofy attempt at courtroom drama, which allows Elle to showcase her legal skills.
All of these elements tossed together in the same film could have resulted in a messy hodgepodge affair that is more worthy of a Golden Raspberry Award than it is laughs but Legally Blonde manages to avoid its seeming blueprint for disaster. Witherspoon loses herself in her role, embracing the caricature that is Elle Woods. As corny as the character may be, the consistency of Witherspoon’s performance is the glue that holds everything together.
There’s some slapstick humor, a few sight gags and while most of the humor comes across as either unsurprising or occasionally forced, it never feels contrived. The writing hits a few high points when it throws out cultural references and uses fashion lingo. Without these moments of inspired writing, the film would have come off as too generic.
The different resolutions between characters are all fairly predictable, ending the movie on a slightly stale note. This does little to affect the films aftertaste though. After all is said and done, Legally Blonde leaves you as a cheerful, colorful and quirky film. It may not be terribly original but it’s creative and funny enough to remember in a good light.
This is the film that made Reese Witherspoon a Hollywood mainstay and a household name. It also, inadvertently, created a type for its star to work against during at least the next decade of her career. While it’s nothing terribly original, Legally Blonde manages to inject enough cultural awareness and genuine humor to make it an enjoyable affair.
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