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Bubbly, popular, above-average student, blonde Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon), is graduating
from her fashion-marketing college course. At the same time she is expecting her old-rich boyfriend Warner Huntington III (Matthew Davis) to propose to her. Instead, it is a
devastating surprise that he breaks up with her, saying that he needs "a Jacqueline, not a Marilyn" because he is going to law school at Harvard and wants to be a senator by
age 30. He needs the "right kind of wife". Overcoming her momentary reaction, she makes up her mind to follow him to HarvardLawSchool, determined to get him back. Like a fish
out of water, she gets admitted into law in spite of a difficult-to-assess bio-data and her open, happy, flippant personality. How she assesses her prospects in getting back
Matthew, succeeding in her law studies and what she does encompass the rest of Elle's story.
There is nothing new in the plot; it is a pleasantly enjoyable production. This is because of
the outstanding ability of Reese Witherspoon to sustain her role and produce really funny scenes. For instance, the court scene is unexpectedly hilarious. Her off-beat
wardrobe is so outlandish that her schoolmates are repulsed by any of her friendly overtures. She appears to be the only main star because she is the only one appearing
practically in every scene. The rest of the cast support her, and ably so. Robert Luketic should be cited for this film, his first directorial work.
Although Legally Blonde is meant for light entertainment and for laughs, viewers should
be able to see the need to overcome setbacks and disappointments by doing something about the situation. In the process new options come along. Determination, persistence, and
the need to face challenges are values positively shown. The movie reminds us that one should not go by first impressions. They are usually wrong. To be a blonde, extroverted
or bubbly does not necessarily mean one is dumb or frivolous.
(Date reviewed: October 26, 2001)
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