LEGALLY BLONDE: DVD

SYNOPSIS:
Fashion school student and sorority leader Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon) is dumped by her law student boyfriend Warner Huntington III (Matthew Davis) because he “needs someone serious” for his planned political career. In an attempt to win Warner back, Elle applies to Harvard and, defying the odds, is accepted into its prestigious law course. Initially derided by teachers and fellow students, Elle slowly finds her feet and discovers she has what it takes for a career in law. Her big chance to impress arrives when distinguished lawyer Callahan (Victor Garber) takes her on as an intern during the trial of Brooke (Ali Larter), a weight-loss guru accused of murdering her much older husband.

Review by Andrew L. Urban:
As fresh as reality (it’s based on author Amanda Brown’s own experiences) and as biting, Legally Blonde takes the campus comedy and turns it into an energetic smash hit for all audiences. Australian director Robert Luketic—unashamedly labelling himself a ‘commercial filmmaker’—balances the war of the sexes humour with the subtext of being yourself, in an ever-pleasing and dynamic film which never loses respect for its characters, or for the audience.

The DVD is a sparkler, from the technical quality of the widescreen picture and ‘fat’ sound, to the bonus materials. If you’ve always wanted to know whether that was really Reese Witherspoon’s hair, Reese takes the opportunity of the DVD commentary to tell you. Yes it was. The combo of director, star and producer is a valid idea, putting together three points of view, three angles, three perceptions. 

But the Inside Legally Blonde featurette is even more fun, more revealing than the commentaries. As for The Hair That Ate Hollywood, it’s nearly 10 minutes of hair talk: did you know there are 16 types of blonde? Or is it 26?

The eight deleted scenes are all introduced by Luketic, explianing what and why they were shot, and why they weren’t included. Elle’s revenge is a good one.

Published March 28, 2002