Legally Blonde (2001)

Director:

Robert Luketic

Writers (WGA):

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

Release Date:

13 July 2001 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

Meet Elle Woods. She's a lawyer with a heart of gold...and a mane to match!

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:

Blonde | Law | Harvard | Law School | Sorority

Awards:

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

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

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

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for language and sexual references.

Runtime:

96 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS-Stereo | DTS | SDDS

Certification:

Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:PG (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario) | Iceland:L | Malaysia:U | USA:PG-13 (certificate #37637) | Finland:K-3 | New Zealand:PG | 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:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Trivia:

Producers originally wanted to set the film at The University of Chicago. School administrators declined, however, because of a scene toward the end of the movie where a professor places his hand on Elle's leg. Filmmakers subsequently decided to have the story take place at Harvard University.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When Elle gets in the lift after she has been assaulted by her professor in his office (before she takes over in court), before the lift doors close Vivian's reflection can clearly be seen in the brass plaque opposite the lift before she moves into the shot and converses with Elle.

Quotes:

Elle: For that matter, any masturbatory emissions, where the sperm is clearly not seeking an egg, could be termed reckless abandonment.
Professor Callahan: You've just won your case.

Movie Connections:

References The Blair Witch Project (1999)

Soundtrack:

Perfect Day

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.