Genre: Comedy

Rating: PG-13 (for some sex-related humor)

Release Date: July 2, 2003

Actors: Reese Witherspoon, Luke Wilson, Sally Field, Regina King, Jennifer Coolidge, Bruce McGill, Bob Newhart

Director: Charles Herman-Wurmfeld

Special Notes: Reese Witherspoon is one of the most sought after actresses in Hollywood. "Legally Blonde" earned $97 million at the box office and "Sweet Home Alabama" did $127 million. The prediction for "Legally Blonde 2" is that it will do well over the opening July 4 holiday weekend and Witherspoon will once again prove her star "box office" power.

Plot: The story picks up with Elle Woods (Witherspoon) having graduated from Harvard Law School and joined a successful law firm. When Professor Emmett Richmond (Wilson) asks Elle to marry him, she discovers she can't go through with her socially correct nuptials without inviting the mother of her dog, Bruiser, to the wedding. When Elle hires a private investigator to track the dog down, he eventually leads Elle to an animal research lab where the tiny dog is being used for cosmetic testing. Elle asks her law firm to commandeer a lawsuit to stop the testing, but when they remind her that their clients own the lab she gives them an ultimatum and is fired. With Emmett and her best friend (Coolidge) supporting her, Elle heads to Washington, D.C. to change the animal testing laws. Elle calls on an old sorority alumnus, Congresswoman Rudd (Field), to help her but her staff (King, Rajskub and Barton) won't take her seriously. With the aid of wise doorman, Sid Post (Newhart), and her loyal supporters, Elle sets out to show Washington she's serious and push her bill through Congress, with the help of some key members (Ivey, McGill).

Good: I have to admit I'm a fan of Reese Witherspoon and admire her for her personal and public image. I believe she's one of the more positive role models in Hollywood (if a person is inclined to look for a role model in the movie business), because she represents an actress who has a strong work ethic, balanced personal convictions and is pro-family. In other words, she's a class act. I laughed at and enjoyed her witty lines spoken with a spirited perkiness ? lines like "Hello, patriots!" or "Is bill writing super fun, or what?" I chuckled at the "It's Capitol Barbie" line, and even though her nail salon friend (Coolidge) can be a bit crude at times, I enjoyed some of her funny exclamations ? like when she observes Reese in her "patriotic Elle" outfit and exclaims, "You make me want a hotdog real bad!" There are several memorable moments from the movie, including a "snap cup" scene (pieces of paper are put in a cup that are supposed to say something positive about the other person when drawn and read), Elle's humorous crusade for animals and the happily-ever-after marriage and future career choice.