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Review

Legally Blonde is a humorous screwball comedy that induces you with huge laughs and camp quality keeps you entertained throughout the film. In Frank Capra style (It Happened One Night, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington) which includes exaggerated sets and embellishing costumes, this over-the-top film tackles the age old identity of "blondes". Reese Witherspoon (even though she is nothing like the superficial bombshell) is Elle Woods, the gal who has it all: president of her sorority, Miss June in the school calendar, and Hawaiian Tropic girl. The next step, of course, is to be Mrs. Warner Huntington III, but there's just one thing stopping Warner (Mathew Davis) from popping the question: Elle is too blonde. Growing up across the street from Aaron Spelling might mean something in LA, but nothing to Warner's East-Coast blue blood family. So, when Warner packs up for Harvard Law and reunites with an old sweetheart from prep school (Selma Blair: Cruel Intentions), Elle rallies all her resources and gets into Harvard, determined to win him back. Along the way she befriends Paulette, (Jennifer Coolidge: Best in Show, American Pie, Broken Heart's Club) the blue collar nail technician, Enid (Meridith Scott Lynn), the overbearing lesbian who is looking to change the male-centered univeristy, and Emmett (Luke Wilson), the third year law student who advises Elle down the legal path and jargon.

Focusing on all aspects of womanhood, Legally Blonde tackles many stereotypes with a charasmatic manner, in which the feminine mystic is portrayed. Elle transforms from shallow, glamorous belle to bookish overachiever within one pivotal scene. She is invited to a party, but is told it is a costume party. Referring to Gloria Steinhem going incognito at the Playboy Mansion, Elle arrives as a Playboy Bunny, but is immediately the butt of jokes. She turns this humiliation into positive affirmation where she will not allow being classified as a "typical blonde" anymore. Don't worry boys, you are represented as well by a flaming colorist at the beauty salon and a closeted witness in a murder trial. Guilty pleasures indeed!