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- What Is Legally Blonde About?
- The Core Message in Legally Blonde
- What Roger Ebert and Other Critics Have to Say About Legally Blonde
As a woman who has spent her fair share of time navigating the often-challenging waters of professional and personal life, I found “Legally Blonde” to be a breath of fresh air. Having been a student, a lawyer, and now a writer, I can relate to the character of Elle Woods in many ways. The movie’s message about intelligence, determination, and the power of self-belief resonated deeply with me.
In 2023, the film “Barbie” garnered a great deal of attention, making it seem as though it was pioneering a feminist perspective for a character known for her love of pink and a somewhat airheaded persona. However, it’s not the first to do so. One of the most notable predecessors is arguably “Legally Blonde,” released in 2001. Despite its lighthearted and whimsical nature, this movie also carries a profound message, much like “Barbie.
It resonated with viewers and critics alike, including iconic movie critic Roger Ebert, who called the movie in his review “impossible to dislike.” Never watched it or want to watch it? That’s easy because Legally Blonde is now streaming for free on Tubi.
What Is Legally Blonde About?
Legally Blonde” revolves around the character Elle Woods, portrayed by Reese Witherspoon. A sorority member, Elle experiences a breakup with her snobbish boyfriend Warner Huntington III (Matthew Davis) who feels she’s not serious enough for him. In an empowering move, she decides to show him otherwise by attending Harvard Law School and earning her Juris Doctor degree, demonstrating that she’s not just attractive but intelligent too. Initially, her goal is to win Warner back, but as Elle grows and discovers herself, her objectives shift over time.
Elle studies furiously to score high enough on the admissions test. Since she already has a perfect 4.0 GPA as well, she gets in. But Elle quickly realizes she’s a fish out of water, her fashion sense and upbeat attitude in stark contrast to her buttoned-up classmates, all from the East Coast. When Elle learns that Warner has become engaged to the woman he dated before her, she becomes even more driven to achieve her goals and prove to him that he made a mistake.
Despite Elle’s inner understanding that Warner may not want her again, she’s beginning to think that she might not desire him either. Immersed in her books, she lands a prestigious position among a select group of students working with esteemed professor Professor Callahan (played by Victor Garber). This presents a significant career prospect for her. Additionally, she encounters Emmett Richmond (portrayed by Luke Wilson), who is Callahan’s assistant.
By a strange twist of events, the situation Elle finds herself dealing with revolves around fitness instructor Brooke Taylor-Windham (Ali Larter), whom she’s previously acquainted with and admires. Her enthusiasm to help the client only intensifies because of this. However, Brooke is under accusation for murdering her husband, claiming innocence all the while. Throughout the case, Elle encounters hurdles that often invoke the “dumb blonde” stereotype. The one individual who appears supportive in her endeavors seems to be Emmett.
Following her boss’s advance, recognizing he had hired her under false pretenses for romantic purposes, Elle contemplates quitting. However, Brook persuades her to stay, enraged by Callahan’s actions. He proposes that Elle stand up for Brook in court, a role she can take on if she works under the guidance of Emmett, who consents and boosts her confidence. Using her expertise in law, aesthetics, and fitness, Elle astounds everyone in court. She also develops a relationship with a man worthy of her affection.
It’s fascinating to know that the movie “Legally Blonde” drew its origins from the Amanda Brown comic book of the same name, which was itself inspired by Brown’s actual life experiences. At Stanford Law School, she faced stereotypes due to being intelligent, talented, and blonde with a passion for fashion and beauty. The film led to a 2003 sequel titled “Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde,” a spin-off titled “Legally Blondes,” a Broadway musical adaptation called “Legally Blonde: The Musical,” and even discussions for a third installment in 2022, although it has yet to materialize.
The Core Message in Legally Blonde
In the film Legally Blonde, the primary theme revolves around avoiding snap judgments and defying stereotypes. Although Elle is known for her blonde hair, beauty, love for fashion, and fitness, these qualities don’t detract from her remarkable intelligence and potential to achieve great things.
A significant aspect to note is the subtle feminist undercurrents throughout the story. Elle consistently encounters disregard from men in her personal life, with her playful and affable character causing concern among her long-term partner about its potential impact on his standing. Additionally, her academic progression is only recognized by a professor who harbors hidden intentions. This narrative also underscores the journey of a young woman building self-assurance in the face of those around her insinuating her lack of intellectual capabilities to accomplish her aspirations.
Emmett’s existence demonstrates that there are still individuals with kindness and understanding in the world, who look past stereotypes. He not only perceives Elle for who she truly is, acknowledges her abilities, and refrains from hasty judgments, he even takes steps to help others recognize this as well.
The significance of the message is heightened when realizing that Brown experienced something comparable.
Over the years following the film’s premiere, it’s plausible that Reese Witherspoon has encountered similar circumstances herself, given her status as a strikingly beautiful actress. Beyond her captivating on-screen presence, she has also built a substantial empire behind the scenes through her highly successful production company, demonstrating that she is much more than a visually appealing and gifted performer. This adds an extra layer of empowerment and significance to the movie, 23 years after its initial release.
Legally Blonde challenged stereotypes about attractive young women, demonstrating that intelligence and beauty can thrive together. Though it does so with humor, the movie effectively conveys to viewers that a woman’s appearance, whether casual or formal, doesn’t determine her worthiness of respect.
What Roger Ebert and Other Critics Have to Say About Legally Blonde
Roger Ebert, known for his uncompromising honesty and keen eye for quality, is a critic whose opinions hold significant weight. When he gives a film like Legally Blonde three out of four stars, it’s taken seriously. He described the movie as a “featherweight comedy that manages to be both silly and endearing.” Furthermore, he found it difficult not to appreciate the film, acknowledging that a large part of its appeal lies in the viewer’s fondness for Reese Witherspoon. She is undoubtedly the main attraction of the movie, with all other characters essentially revolving around her.
He notes that she is likely employing her extensive fashion and beauty expertise to mask her impressive intellect. Contrary to what one might assume from the film’s title and advertisements, this movie is not about unintelligent blondes, but rather smart ones. Ebert found himself smiling frequently throughout the movie, occasionally laughing, and generally amused by the reasoning behind the court case. He acknowledges that while it may not be a masterpiece, the movie does not drag on excessively.
A consensus among fans and critics exists: the movie Legally Blonde boasts a robust 72% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, garnered from both professional reviews and audience responses. Debbie Lynn Elias of Behind the Lens praises it as a charming, amusing, and entertaining film that will bring smiles, laughter, and even encouragement for the protagonist’s blonde character. It is also acceptable to submit your resume on pink paper, she adds.
The majority of accolades are directed towards Reese Witherspoon’s acting, with Alonso Duralde from The Advocate describing her character as sealing the deal and praising Witherspoon as “one of the generation’s finest actresses.” Rachel Wagner of Rachel’s Reviews finds her performance incredibly endearing, while Matt Brunson of Film Frenzy believes the film is successful primarily due to Witherspoon’s outstanding acting.
A significant number of individuals have watched the film “Legally Blonde” at least once, and with the announcement of a prequel series by Prime Video, many more are likely to discover it. If you haven’t seen it yet, I highly recommend giving it a try, especially since it’s now available for streaming without charge. In our current era where “Barbie” was a blockbuster hit and discussions about feminism and women’s rights are prevalent, “Legally Blonde” offers a delightful, entertaining take that aligns perfectly. Stream Legally Blonde on Tubi.
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2024-11-16 19:32