Rob A
I just watched it for the first time and thought "I wish I hadn't waited so long." A very cute early 2000's comedy/drama with several laugh-out-loud moments. You'l have a smile on your face at the end of this one.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
03/13/25
Full Review
Audience Member
Legally Blonde: A Brainy, Fashionable, and Surprisingly Inspirational
Legally Blonde (2001) seems like a lighthearted rom-com but turns out to be an uplifting story of confidence, intelligence, and beating stereotypes. Directed by Robert Luketic and starring Reese Witherspoon in one of her best performances, this movie offers laughs, tears, and an empowering message wrapped in pink.
A Story That Goes Beyond the Cliché: Early in the movie, Elle Woods (Witherspoon) appears to be the quintessential "dumb blonde"—a wealthy, fashion-forward sorority girl whose end goal is to marry her perfect boyfriend, Warner Huntington III (Matthew Davis). But when Warner dumps her, claiming he needs someone more "serious" for his political career, Elle decides to prove him (and everyone else) wrong by getting into Harvard Law School on her own merit. This setup is what makes Legally Blonde a rom-com. Instead of changing herself to fit into the "serious" arena of law, Elle succeeds by staying true to herself. She initially wants to win Warner back, but by the end, she realizes she never needed him—she was already meant to be great for herself.
Elle's character development is one of the best aspects of the movie. Many "strong female-led" films remove traditional feminine traits to appear strong, but Legally Blonde does the opposite—Elle is successful, not in spite of herself, but because of herself. She doesn’t lose her sense of fashion, beauty, and niceness to be taken seriously. Instead, she shows that you can be fashionable and witty, bubbly and intelligent.
There are several times in the film where people don’t believe in Elle's capabilities: when she walks into Harvard Law, everyone assumes she won’t last. She is greeted by snobbish professors, disapproving students, and sabotage from Warner’s new fiancée, Vivian (Selma Blair). But Elle not only lasts, she thrives.
The film never turns Elle into a bitter, revenge-driven person. Instead of tearing other women down, she builds people up. She grows from competitiveness to friendship with Vivian, and even helps Paulette (Jennifer Coolidge) regain her self-esteem by showing her that Paulette can go beyond her capabilities, like standing up to her ex-husband.
Quite possibly the best moment in the film is when Elle has her first major courtroom success. Instead of using conventional legal tactics, she applies the insider’s wisdom she gained from fashion and beauty to crack the case. The moment when she corners a lying witness with her knowledge of hair shampoo is not only hilarious, but it also exemplifies the idea that intelligence comes in many forms. It doesn’t tell women they need to be more masculine to succeed; it tells them that the strength they already possess can be used in new ways. "Always believe in yourself"—one of the best lines in the movie—might not be the easiest to follow, but it teaches important lessons.
Even though it was released over 20 years ago, Legally Blonde remains fresh. The themes of empowerment, defying expectations, and self-acceptance are just as relevant today. In a world where women are constantly told to fit into a mold, Elle’s story is more inspiring than ever.
Not only does the movie make you laugh (Elle's Harvard misadventures are side-splitting), but it also makes you proud. It's the kind of film that encourages you to stand up, set your goals, and prove others wrong. While most rom-com heroines focus on romance, Elle’s journey is one of self-discovery. Romance is part of the movie, but the greatest relationship Elle develops is with herself.
Final Verdict: A Must-Watch Classic. If you're in the mood for a movie that's smart, funny, and surprisingly deep in aspects like law and empowering feminism, Legally Blonde is the perfect choice. It's the kind of movie that makes you laugh, makes you think, and most importantly, makes you believe in yourself.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
03/10/25
Full Review
Ellie A
In my opinion it is the best movie I have ever watched I can watch it 1 million times without getting bored it gives me motivation to do good in school and shows how powerful women are when we set our mind to something it’s a beautiful movie I recommend showing to young girls there is swearing just so you know but it’s a beautiful story
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
03/02/25
Full Review
jolin t
unapologetically pink. 10/10, no explanation needed.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
03/02/25
Full Review
Teddy B
Reese Witherspoon's presence is golden in this otherwise average, memorable enough comedy.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
02/15/25
Full Review
r96 s
'Legally Blonde' is good. There is plenty of cheese and you can see where the story is heading from basically the get-go, though it is all brought to life by an impressive Reese Witherspoon performance. There are amusing moments, plus it has a pleasantly short run time. Overall, I did find it enjoyable.
Rated 3/5 Stars •
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
01/14/25
Full Review
Read all reviews