*Legally Blonde*

*Legally Blonde*
Name	Legally Blonde
Caption	Theatrical release poster
Director	Robert Luketic
Producer	Marc E. Platt
Writer	Karen McCullah Lutz, Kirsten Smith
Starring	Reese Witherspoon, Luke Wilson, Selma Blair, Matthew Davis, Victor Garber, Jennifer Coolidge
Music	Rolfe Kent
Cinematography	Anthony B. Richmond
Editing	Anita Brandt-Burgoyne
Studio	Marc Platt Productions, Type A Films
Distributor	Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Released	13 July 2001
Runtime	96 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$18 million
Gross	$141.8 million

*Legally Blonde* is a 2001 American comedy film directed by Robert Luketic in his feature debut. Based on the novel by Amanda Brown, the screenplay was adapted by Karen McCullah Lutz and Kirsten Smith. The film stars Reese Witherspoon as a fashionable sorority president who enrolls at Harvard Law School to win back her boyfriend, ultimately discovering her own intellect and potential. A critical and commercial success, it launched a major franchise and became a defining cultural touchstone for its message of self-empowerment.

Plot

Elle Woods, president of the Delta Nu sorority at UCLA, is expecting a marriage proposal from her boyfriend, Warner Huntington III. Instead, he breaks up with her, stating he needs a more "serious" partner for his future political career, which includes attending Harvard Law School. Determined to win him back, Elle studies intensely for the LSAT and crafts a unique application video, gaining admission to Harvard. Initially dismissed by peers like Vivian Kensington and Professor Callahan, Elle's unique perspective, honed during a internship at the firm of Bruiser and Woods, proves crucial in a high-profile murder trial defending exercise queen Brooke Taylor Windham. Her success exonerates her client, earns the respect of her classmates and professors, and leads to a valedictorian graduation speech and a new romance with earnest law student Emmett Richmond.

Cast

Reese Witherspoon stars as the iconic Elle Woods, delivering a career-defining performance. Luke Wilson portrays the kind-hearted teaching assistant Emmett Richmond, while Matthew Davis plays the elitist Warner Huntington III. Selma Blair is Elle's rival, Vivian Kensington, and Victor Garber appears as the formidable Professor Callahan. Memorable supporting roles include Jennifer Coolidge as manicurist Paulette Bonafonté, Ali Larter as accused murderer Brooke Taylor Windham, and Jessica Cauffiel and Alanna Ubach as Elle's best friends from Delta Nu, Margot and Serena. The cast also features Holland Taylor as Professor Stromwell, Oz Perkins as Dorky David, and Linda Cardellini in a minor role as a Chutney.

Production

Development began when producer Marc E. Platt acquired the rights to Amanda Brown's unpublished novel, which was loosely based on her own experiences at Stanford Law School. Screenwriters Karen McCullah Lutz and Kirsten Smith, known for 10 Things I Hate About You, were hired to adapt the material. Australian commercial director Robert Luketic was chosen for his feature film debut. Principal photography took place over the summer of 2000, with UCLA, the University of Southern California, and the Pasadena City Hall standing in for various Harvard locations. Costume designer Sophie de Rakoff created Elle's signature pink wardrobe, and the film's score was composed by Rolfe Kent.

Release

The film premiered on July 7, 2001, at the Academy's theater in Beverly Hills. It was theatrically released in the United States by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer on July 13, 2001, debuting at number one at the North American box office. Its successful opening weekend was followed by a strong theatrical run. The film was later released on DVD and VHS by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment in December 2001, featuring extensive bonus materials that contributed to its enduring home video popularity.

Reception

The film received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised Reese Witherspoon's performance and the film's subversive charm. It earned a Golden Globe nomination for Witherspoon. Commercially, it was a major hit, grossing over $141 million worldwide against an $18 million budget. The film won the MTV Movie Award for Best Comedic Performance for Witherspoon and the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Movie. Its theme song, "Perfect Day" by Hoku, also charted successfully. Over time, critical reassessment has solidified its status as a classic of the genre.

Adaptations and legacy

The film's success spawned a major franchise. A sequel, *Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde*, was released in 2003. In 2007, a stage musical adaptation, with music and lyrics by Nell Benjamin and Laurence O'Keefe, premiered on Broadway, earning several Tony Award nominations. A third film, *Legally Blonde 3*, is in development. The character of Elle Woods has become an enduring feminist icon, frequently referenced in popular culture and academic discourse. The film is credited with inspiring a generation of young women to pursue careers in law and is often cited in discussions by the American Bar Association and at institutions like Harvard Law School.

Category:2001 films Category:American comedy films Category:Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer films