LEGALLY BLONDE
Released: July 13, 2001
Proving Reese Witherspoon can open a movie at #1 with such heavy duty competition from Steven Spielberg, Robert DeNiro, Marlon Brando, talking animals and and an entirely CG generated movie, "Legally Blonde" succeeds because it has a foundation based in goodness. With so many movies out these days concentrating on darkness and evil it's refreshing to see a movie that can actually be defined as a family movie and also be praised for offering a positive role model for, in this case, girls. Let's face it, much of our movie choices offer us very little positive messages and "Legally Blonde" does this and very well. It's a movie not just for girls and women however - as it does offer a lot of commentary on honesty, trust, friendship and morals. The plot? When a blonde sorority queen is dumped by her boyfriend, she decides to follow him to law school to get him back and, once there, learns she has more legal savvy than she ever imagined. It's a perfect showcase for Witherspoon. It's hard to believe she is only 25 and has been making some very good films, including her shining debut in Robert Mulligan's superb "The Man In The Moon" from 1991. The rest of "Legally Blonde" is populated by unique and funny characters and not nearly stereotyped as they could have been. Also starring Luke Wilson, Selma Blair (whom Witherspoon shared the screen with in "Cruel Intentions"), Victor Garber (the shipbuilder Thomas Andrews from "Titanic"), the beautiful Ali Larter ("Final Destination") and making a return to film is Raquel Welch playing a helpful beautician whom Wirthspoon's character befriends.
106 Minutes
MGM