Legally BlondeMovie Reviews

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So-so
Avg. Critic Score: 59 out of 100 Mixed or average reviews Metascore® based on all critic reviews
Information for Parents:
13 OK for kids 13+
Read Common Sense Media review

Critic scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 80
    Washington Post | Stephen Hunter

    Blondes may or may not have more fun, but in this one case, they certainly provide more fun. Read full review

  • 75
    Chicago Sun-Times | Roger Ebert

    A featherweight comedy balanced between silliness and charm. Read full review

  • 75
    USA Today | Susan Wloszczyna

    Guilty of inciting a near-laugh riot thanks to an irresistible leading lady whose comic instincts are as impeccable as her manicure. Read full review

  • 67
    Entertainment Weekly | Lisa Schwarzbaum

    She may be follically blond, but as an actor of distinction who's all of 25, Reese Witherspoon reveals interesting dark roots even as she plays golden girls. Read full review

  • 60
    Rolling Stone | Peter Travers

    Witherspoon -- though miles from the keen satire of "Election" -- stays one sharp cookie even as her film crumbles. Read full review

  • 60
    Variety | Todd McCarthy

    The mildly engaging silliness of its premise is never transformed into something more substantial, and the attempt at a fine-tuned "Clueless"-like tone is only sputteringly achieved. Read full review

  • 50
    San Francisco Chronicle | Mick LaSalle

    Benefits enormously from smart casting across the board. Read full review

  • 50
    The New York Times | Dana Stevens

    The character as written is incoherent, but Ms. Witherspoon has the reflexes to make Elle both appealing and ridiculous. It's funny -- in that slightly queasy, un-P.C. Doris Day kind of way. Read full review

  • 50
    Los Angeles Times | Kenneth Turan

    Guilty of squandering resources. Amusing as it goes about setting up its premise, in Witherspoon, the gifted veteran of "Election" and "Pleasantville," it has an actress willing to throw herself completely into the part to excellent effect. Read full review

  • 40
    Washington Post | Michael O'Sullivan

    Really nothing more than "Clueless" redux but without the edgy, knowing wit. Read full review

View more reviews for Legally Blonde on Metacritic

Information for Parents
Common Sense Media says OK for kids 13+ Bombshell discovers her brainy side in fun romp for teens+.
What Parents Need to Know Parents need to know that this tongue-in-cheek comedy plays up the glories of material riches. Elle's sorority life in California is all about mani-pedis, Prada shoes, and snagging the right guy. She may decide to go to Harvard for the wrong reasons -- following a guy -- but she learns to value her brains in the end -- even if she continues to celebrate her successes with a shopping spree. There are some sexual references and gay stereotyping, and college drinking and some foul language are prevalent.
  • Families can talk about why Elle did not have higher aspirations for herself, and the role her parents played in shaping the way she thought about her future.
  • They might also want to talk about Elle's choice to keep her client's secret, even when it put her defense at risk, and about the mistakes people make when they judge other people based on appearances. What made Elle succeed when more experienced lawyers did not?
  • What did the way Elle responded to a practical joke show us about her?
The good stuff
  • message true2 Positive messages: Though Elle is the epitome of a material girl, and though she applies to Harvard for the sole reason of pursuing a guy, she learns to value herself as an intellectual being, while holding onto her superficial (albeit comedic) roots.
  • rolemodels true2 Positive role models: Elle may be materialistic, but she gets good grades and takes a leadership role among her peers. She's also kind to everyone she meets.
What to watch for
  • violence false1 Violence: Some verbal bullying behavior from Paulette's ex-husband.
  • sex false2 Sex: Sorority girls are shown in their (chaste) underwear as they get ready for their evenings. References to lap dances, body parts, wet t-shirt contests, and long interludes in the hot tub. Elle's professor makes a pass at her.
  • language false2 Language: Crude language includes "S--t," "t-ts," "ass," "asshole," "balls," "bastard," "bitch," "boobs," "damn," "dammit," "Goddammit," "hell," "jerk," "piss," "prick," and "slut." 
  • consumerism false4 Consumerism: The list of goodies is long and numerous since Elle and her friends go shopping to reward themselves. Cosmopolitan magazine, Clairol, Opi nail polish, Prada, Porsche, Harvard, Malibu Barbie, Apple products (Elle's ibook is very prominent), Taco Bell, Clinique, etc.
  • drugsalcoholtobacco false3 Drinking, drugs and smoking: Lots of scenes in which college kids engage in casual drinking: keg parties, blender drinks, etc. Elle's dad always has a martini in hand. Elle shares a beer with Paulette.
An independent nonprofit dedicated to providing families the information they need to help kids thrive in a world of media and technology. © Common Sense Media Inc. 2010. All rights reserved.

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