My First Time: LEGALLY BLONDE (2001)

Watched in: July 2019

Didn't like ▢ Alright ▢ Liked ✔︎ Loved ▢

Would I watch it again: Yes

Would I recommend?: Yes

Watchability: Easy

Watch with: Family ▢ Friends ✔︎ Self ▢

Recently I watched Legally Blonde for the first time, dir. by Robert Luketic and starring Reese Witherspoon and Luke Wilson. Here's what I thought...

Plot & Story

Really, a chick-flick based purely on stereotypes, and negative stereotypes at that, shouldn't really work, but strangely enough it does. Although it was a bit depressing at first, and I wasn't really sure about how to feel about it, it soon picks up into an inspiring, feel good film. It was super easy to follow, fast paced enough you weren't bored but not so fast you couldn't keep up with what was going on. It was also easy to follow in the way you could clearly see what was going to happen and how the film was going to end, which a lot of the time is a negative, but in this case it really didn't matter and helped the film to be as easy to watch as it was. Like I mentioned, probably for the whole first act I was pretty bummed out by the whole situation and it seemed like nothing could go right for this character, and it was bordering on unwatchable, as I could only watch this girl be tormented for so long. However, it soon turned around, so abruptly so I barely could remember what I was worried about, and you find yourself rooting for Elle more than ever. It's a lovely, inspiring, feminist film that is just good fun to watch.

Characters & Performances

Reese Witherspoon was a brilliant casting choice for Elle and she brought such life to the character. Her intelligence was hinted at from the very beginning and while she was painted to be a stereotypical college girl, you could tell from early on she wasn't really that girl. Witherspoon brought out all of Elle's positives and negatives in such an interesting way that moulded her into a believable and relatable character. I really enjoyed watching her arc, and seeing her give up multiple times was so human and connected her to every audience member. We saw the real struggles and successes of her character and it was so lovely and important that she used her skillset and prior knowledge of fashion and the like to her advantage, rather than abandoning everything to become just like everyone else. I think this is what sets this character, and indeed this film, apart from the rest; it allows Elle to be successful without having to forfeit any part of herself, in fact drawing on what makes her unique to help her. It's just lovely to watch and Elle is now a prominent feminist icon in film for me.

Direction & Cinematography

If I'm honest, this film isn't anything special to behold; it's an early 2000s chick-flick and it looks as such. Though, I don't think this film really needed any fancy editing or camera work, as it wouldn't have fit with the tone, and this film is all about the story and the characters. There were a couple of montages which I thought were cool and did fit with the vibe of the film, and the music choices that accompanied them worked well. The costume and set design team must have had a whale of a time with this one, as Elle sported so many different outfits (which apparently Reese got to keep) and the sets of the sorority house and bedrooms were so intricate there was always something to be found.

Personal Opinions

At the beginning of this film I wasn't sure, but by the end I was thoroughly uplifted and inspired. It had me slightly conflicted at points, but I think that's a good thing, and it had such a strong powerful message nestled into its fluffy pink exterior. It is a classic feminist film with a twist, and is guaranteed to leave any young woman sky-high after watching it.

Final rating: ★★★★☆

Do like Legally Blonde? Let me know in the comments below!

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0250494/