Legally Blonde first written as novel by Amanda Brown, was recreated and released as movie in 2001 directed by Robert Luketic. The film in total was an hour and thirty-six minutes, and Reese Witherspoon was casted to play the main character Elle Woods. The story is about a blonde sorority sister whom believed she would be engaged to her boyfriend the day he later happened to dump her. This eventually gives her an idea to apply to Harvard University in hopes that her ex-boyfriend will take her seriously enough to go out with her again. However there she discovered a more self confident efficient woman, who didn’t need anyone else to carry her through. Reese Witherspoon plays the part of Elle Woods wonderfully, to the extent that I could hardly identify the fact that she was ‘acting’. Many aspects of this film had excided me, for most the sets and just about everything ‘Elle Woods’ had owed, especially because it was all pink. Personally I believe this film is enriching but more so it breaks the stereotypical thinking many have about blondes. When most people think blondes they think unintelligent objects, and for long time the media has contributed to that way of thinking, and to have the same media redirect the audiences view into something more realistic was really nice to watch. This film depicts well the idea of self- concept, whereas the environment around us can influence how we later behave.
Elle Woods was raised in a rich family that had not expected much of her; in fact all her life up until she went to Harvard, she was treated exactly like a stereotypical blonde. A Cosmo girl who knew nothing more than what she wore and what she looked like. In fact it was for her cluelessness did Warner her ex-boyfriend, breakup with her. For several years have being appreciated for her gullibility, has at the point of her breakup distorted her character and personality. Even her idea to go to Harvard, was so she could follow her ex-boyfriend, so she could convince him that she has the capability to be more intelligent. There however she finds that Warner is engaged to a mean, smart girl named Vivian, and Warner had always believed that she was incapable of ‘making it’ in Harvard. Once she had realized that there was no point in impressing Warner, she thought it was best to show him up and prove to him that he was wrong.
The rest of the story revolves around Elle’s transformation, with all her hard work she becomes an ideal student that everyone wants to be. Though bright, her new sense of knowledge had not altered her personality, she was still kind hearted, sensitive to others words, and very friendly. Her Intellect, talent and personality eventually earned her an internship with Professor Callahan’s firm, played by Victor Garber. Though Warner had not worked out Emmet, Professor Callahan’s student assistant was more than swayed by her charm, but astounded by her dedication and strength. Throughout the internship Professor Callahan and the students whom were selected to work with him were in the process of defending a rich Woman, whom was accused of murdering her very rich husband. The woman happens to be ‘Brooke Taylor Windham’ the creator of a hard core workout system, that Elle once was a member of, now with new eyes Elle was determined to prove Brooke not guilty.
Throughout the course of this defence Vivian has gained a whole lot of respect for Elle and the both become really good friends, Emmet continues to encourage Elle to do what she always does because the result is always excellent. All of this support continued to give Elle such confident until Professor Callahan decides to make a move on Elle, Vivian accidentally walked in and naturally assumed that Elle got her position not because of her skill level but because of her looks, and Elle eventually believes the same thing. Due to this incident Elle decides to leave Law school, because she felt that all her hard work had gone to waste, Emmet tries to convince her otherwise but she refuses to accept his reasoning. It is when she goes to talk to her best friend Paulette a Salon Manicurist, she comes across Professor Stromwell, Whom tells Elle that she should work harder establish her status in society instead of letting other people influence her potential, because inside she is a strong young women. This then instantly encourages her to take over Callahan’s case, which she later wins, and eventually she becomes a graduate of Harvard Law University.
Overall Legally Blonde touches the bases of how others can influence an individual’s self worth and perspective. In fact in this story we learn the struggles of a gullible Elle Woods whom was genuinely kind hearted, and her means to find her true identity was often clustered. Originally she wasn’t motivated to go to Harvard by neither parents nor her friends, but after some convincing she got everyone on her side. At first however, her motivation to go to Harvard wasn’t the right one, but eventually she came across learning that the best way to live is to be happy depending on your own. From this movie I understand that the ways behavioral attributes are gained are often depends on the way others react. For example, when Elle was overly enthusiastic about her stay at Harvard University, she eventually learned to be a bit mature. Though she did not let this change, nor did she want this experience to make her change any part of her, because even if people made her feel bad, at the end of the day she liked who she was.
