Movie Description
In the sharply funny LEGALLY BLONDE, Reese Witherspoon gives a glittering performance as Elle Woods, the natural blonde sorority queen who enrolls at Harvard Law School. When she first appears, Elle seems to be no more than the bright cousin of CLUELESS's Alicia Silverstone. Expecting her boyfriend Warner Huntington III (Matthew Davis) to propose, she is mortified when instead he says he needs somebody serious as his wife. When Elle discovers Warner's brother is engaged to a law student, she decides to go to Harvard. She studies for the LSATs, submits a video essay--in which she appears in a sequined bikini--and, miraculously, is accepted. At first, Elle is rebuked by Professor Stromwell (Holland Taylor) and is the target of snide comments from other students. But, gradually, it becomes clear that Elle is no fish out of water--she is smarter, more driven, and more likely to survive in the rarefied Harvard atmosphere than anyone else.
Witherspoon gets fine support from Selma Blair as Warner's new fiancée, Jennifer Coolidge as a beautician, Victor Garber as an unscrupulous professor, Ali Larter as a client from Elle's sorority, Holland Taylor, and Luke Wilson as a lawyer fascinated by Elle's unconventional approach. The smart, witty script is by Karen McCullah and Kirsten Smith. The first-time director is 28-year-old Australian Robert Luketic.
| Credits | | Producer: | Marc Platt, Richard Kidney | | Cast: | Alanna Ubach, Holland Taylor, Jennifer Coolidge, Matthew Davis, Osgood Perkins |
| Details | | Edition: | Valentine Faceplate; Canadian; Sensormatic; Widescreen |
Editorial Reviews
"...Beaming star wattage out of ever pore, not to mention her hair, Witherspoon once again proves herself a comedienne worthy of comparison to such golden era greats as Carole Lombard and Ginger Rogers..."
Variety - Todd McCarthy (07/09/2001)
"...[Witherspoon is] a sharp, quick-witted Doris Day....Witherspoon has the reflexes to make Elle both appealing and ridiculous..."
New York Times - A. O. Scott (07/13/2001)
"...The film bubbles along like a whirlpool tub full of bath gel....Witherspoon is the main course, and she serves justice in delicious fashion..."
USA Today - Susan Wloszczyna (07/13/2001)
"...Reese Witherspoon reveals interesting dark roots even as she plays golden girls..."
Entertainment Weekly - Lisa Schwarzbaum (07/20/2001)
"...[Witherspoon] stays one sharp cookie..."
Rolling Stone - Peter Travers (08/02/2001)
"...Witherspoon projects an astute mix of genuine affability and game over-exaggeration..."
Sight and Sound - Kay Dickinson (11/01/2001)
"...Witherspoon effortlessly animated this material with sunshine and quick wit..."
Chicago Sun-Times - Roger Ebert (07/13/2001)
| See an error? Submit a change request |
All rights reserved.
