Who doesn’t remember the bend and snap? Certain things made Legally Blonde stand out, and that scene was one of them. Reese Witherspoon also brings such vitality to the character of Elle Woods that her performance flies this comedy in for a smooth landing.

Fashion student Elle Woods (Witherspoon) spends her time split between her sorority sisters and her boyfriend, Warner Huntington III (Matthew Davis). After Warner breaks up with her for being “too blonde” and not sophisticated enough for his East Coast lifestyle, Elle becomes determined to get him back. How? By joining him at Harvard Law School, of course! However, getting there is only half the battle. Elle learns to navigate law school alongside classmates who refuse to take her seriously, as she tries to win back Warner, who happens to have a new girlfriend (Selma Blair). Elle must fight to be understood, both for herself and all blondes.

This movie makes my heart happy. Elle teaches us that women don’t have to be just one thing: we can be both fashion-lovers and serious law students. Despite being released in 2001, as women continue to enter male-dominated industries, it still feels relevant for 2019 and beyond.

Legally Blonde
2001
dir. Robert Luketic
137 min.

Screens (on 35mm!)Thursday, 9/19, 7:00pm @ Coolidge Corner Theatre
Afterparty with refreshments at Osaka!