Blondes have always been the target of so many jokes that it literally feels this film is some kind of payback for all those jokes. Legally blonde (1) is a movie that has loads of humor, a simple storyline and wonderful performances. The script is based on a novel by Amanda Brown. It was released in 2001 and was a big success worldwide so much so that it has a sequel to it called ’’Red, White and Blonde’’ released in 2003(I haven?t seen that one yet if someone has do tell me how it is...)
LB1 stars Reese Witherspoon, Robert Luketic, Luke Wilson and Selma Blair. The story is about Elle Woods, a blonde who joins Harvard law school just to win back the love of her life and instead discovers herself. Elle is the sorority leader; homecoming queen and is loved by all her friends. Unfortunately things in her Barbie world take an ugly turn when her boyfriend (Matthew Davis) dumps her for a Harvard law school intellectual girl(Selma Blair). Although crushed she instantly vows to get him back even if it means studying desperately to get in to Harvard (!) which she manages to.
Some of the happenings seem a little too difficult to believe like Elle getting into Harvard with just a qualification in Fashion Merchandising but that?s something you have to ignore. At Law School she finds a new world altogether where knowledge is supreme. Audiences will identify with the issues, incidents and people in the law school like the knowledgeable teacher, others who give you a tough time; the parties, the study groups. Also her character’s happy go lucky attitude is not liked by her serious and study oriented classmates who are not so kind towards a blonde in their campus.
The second part of the movie deals with the trial proceedings in the court where Reese’s character proves that information of cosmetics, men and common sense can help you out any day. Its really nice to see such scenes like a manicure curing you of your despondency (it always works!);showing empathy and maintaining the secrecy of your clients. A sweet dialogue is when her boyfriend tells her that she is isn?t serious and she responds with a simple ’’But I?m seriously in love with you’’(touché!). And for the subtle humor you have Reese complaining to her manicurist that she had some ’’Coppola’’ direct her video essay! A scene of the essay {Elle: I feel comfortable using legal jargon in everyday life.
[someone whistles at her] Elle: I object. }
Her character?s thoughts and rationality are so simple and sweet that you cant help smiling (?anyone who exercises release endorphins; it makes them happy; and such people just don’t commit murder!’’ ).
Reese acts very well and imparts a certain likeability to her character. It seems that to prepare for her role as Elle, Reese Witherspoon studied the behavior of sorority girls. She also observed women shopping at Neiman Marcus. She wears an array of pretty outfits in the movie which incidentally by contract she got to keep with herself after filming. Her character wears as many as 40 different hairstyles throughout the film. The film rests on her petite shoulders and she has done an amazing job. What is funny is that the final graduation scene was not a part of the original script. When the scene was later added it had to be shot in England because Reese Witherspoon was filming another movie there.
The movie is not preachy in any manner but it beautifully conveys that never judge people by the way they look. What really matters is that you should have the ability to believe in yourself and be yourself no matter what. I liked the theme song titled ?Perfect Day?; sung by Hoku which plays at the beginning and the end of the movie. So go on and make it a perfect day for yourself by treating yourself to ?Legally Blonde?.