Legally Blonde (2001)

Director:

Robert Luketic

Writers (WGA):

Amanda Brown (novel)
Karen McCullah Lutz (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

13 July 2001 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

This summer go blonde!

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.

Plot Keywords:

Client | Prison | Intern | Enlightenment | Sexual Harassment

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 6 wins & 9 nominations

Cast

Reese Witherspoon	...	Elle Woods
Luke Wilson	...	Emmett Richmond
Selma Blair	...	Vivian Kensington
Matthew Davis	...	Warner Huntington III
Victor Garber	...	Professor Callahan
Jennifer Coolidge	...	Paulette Bonafonté
Holland Taylor	...	Professor Stromwell
Ali Larter	...	Brooke Taylor Windham
Jessica Cauffiel	...	Margot
Alanna Ubach	...	Serena
Oz Perkins	...	Dorky David Kidney
Linda Cardellini	...	Chutney Windham
Bruce Thomas	...	UPS Guy
Meredith Scott Lynn	...	Enid Wexler
Raquel Welch	...	Mrs. Windham Vandermark

Also Known As:

Legalmente rubia (Argentina) (Peru) [es]
Blonde et légale (Canada: French title) [fr]
Blondin kosto (Finland) [fi]
Blondinens hævn (Denmark) [da]
Blondins rätt, En (Finland: Swedish title) [sv]
Cutie Blonde (Japan: English title) [en]
Cutie Blonde (Japan) [ja]
Dr. Szöszi (Hungary) [hu]
Legalmente Loira (Brazil) [pt]
Natürlich blond! (Germany) [de]
Revanche d'une blonde, La (France) [fr]
Rivincita delle bionde, La (Italy) [it]
Rubia muy legal, Una (Spain) [es]

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for language and sexual references.

Runtime:

96 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (DeLuxe)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS-Stereo | DTS | SDDS

Certification:

Malaysia:U | USA:PG-13 (certificate #37637) | Finland:K-3 | Canada:PG (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario) | Iceland:L | Canada:G (Quebec) | Argentina:Atp | Australia:PG | Brazil:Livre | Chile:TE | France:U | Germany:o.Al. (bw) | Netherlands:AL | Norway:A | Peru:PT | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:PG | South Korea:12 | Spain:T | Sweden:Btl | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | UK:12

Filming Locations:

All Saint's Episcopal Church - 132 N. Euclid Avenue, Pasadena, California, USA

Company:

Marc Platt Productions

Trivia:

In the final two scenes (Elle and Warner outside the courtroom, and Elle making the graduation speech), which were filmed after test audiences expressed a wish to find out what happened to Elle after the trial, both Reese Witherspoon and Luke Wilson are wearing wigs. Witherspoon had cut her hair short since finishing filming (although the rest of the film features her natural hair), and had to wear a wig to recreate her courtroom look. You can see her makeup is different, too, as she is much paler than she was in court. Luke Wilson had shaved his head for The Royal Tenenbaums (2001) and got a much deeper tan, resulting in quite a different look for him in the graduation scene. However, since two years have elapsed in the film, this is more understandable.

Goofs:

Continuity: During the last scene of the movie, we see Bruiser in Elle's handbag. When she leaves the courtroom a few minutes later, Bruiser is nowhere to be seen.

Quotes:

Elle: Warner, what kind of shoes are these?
Warner Huntington III: Umm... black ones.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Office: The Fire (#2.4)" (2005)

Soundtrack:

Sound of Milwaukee

Feel-good in pink

From the opening credits and Hoku's superb 'Perfect Day' (even had me dancing) to the very last shot, this film never disappoints. It may be totally fantastic, slushy nonsense but the 'feel-good' factor is high and once again, Witherspoon gives a flawless performance. As my other reviews will show, I do have a bit of a thing for Ms W. - and Selma Blair - partly because I know any movie with which they're involved will be worthy viewing. They have very different qualities and this is exploited to the full in their on-screen rivalry.

Once again the teen movie scores a hit, and once again the supporting cast excels - not a poor performance in sight. Although fairly superficial the plot hangs together well, and benefits from some beautifully crafted characters. Even the dog never puts a paw wrong.

Very easy on the eye and the ear, and one of my most-watched DVDs because no matter what mood I start with, I always feel better after a dose of legal pink. Buy the DVD and get the gorgeous and talented Hoku too. Highly recommended.