Legally Blonde

Theatrical release poster

Directed by Robert Luketic

• Karen McCullah Lutz

Screenplay by
• Kirsten Smith

Based on Legally Blonde

by Amanda Brown

Produced by • Marc Platt

• Ric Kidney

Starring • Reese Witherspoon

• Luke Wilson
• Selma Blair
• Matthew Davis
• Victor Garber
 • Jennifer Coolidge

Cinematography Anthony B. Richmond

Edited by Anita Brandt-Burgoyne

Music by Rolfe Kent

Production
• Type A Films
companies
• Marc Platt Productions

• Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Distributed by MGM Distribution Co.(United States)

20th Century Fox(International)[1]

Release date • July 13, 2001

Running time 96 minutes[1]

Country United States

Language English

Budget $18 million[2]

Box office $141.8 million[3]

Legally Blonde is a 2001 American romantic comedy film directed by Robert Luketic (in
his feature directorial debut) and written by Karen McCullah Lutz and Kirsten Smith, based
on Amanda Brown's 2001 novel of the same name. It stars Reese Witherspoon, Luke
Wilson, Selma Blair, Matthew Davis, Victor Garber, and Jennifer Coolidge. The story follows Elle
Woods (Witherspoon), a sorority girl who attempts to win back her ex-boyfriend Warner
Huntington III (Davis) by getting a Juris Doctor degree at Harvard Law School, and in the
process, overcomes stereotypes against blondes and triumphs as a successful lawyer.
The outline of Legally Blonde originated from Brown's experiences as a blonde going to Stanford
Law School while being obsessed with fashion and beauty, reading Elle magazine, and
frequently clashing with the personalities of her peers.[4] In 2000, Brown met producer Marc Platt,
who helped her develop her manuscript into a novel. Platt brought in screenwriters McCullah
Lutz and Smith to adapt the book into a motion picture. The project caught the attention of
director Luketic, an Australian newcomer who came to Hollywood on the success of his quirky
debut short film Titsiana Booberini. "I had been reading scripts for two years, not finding anything
I could put my own personal mark on, until Legally Blonde came around," Luketic said.
The film was released on July 13, 2001, and was a hit with audiences, grossing $141 million
worldwide on an $18 million budget, as well as receiving moderately positive reviews from critics,
with particular praise going to Witherspoon's performance. It was nominated for a Golden Globe
Award for Best Motion Picture: Musical or Comedy. Witherspoon received a Golden Globe
nomination for Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy, and the 2002 MTV Movie
Award for Best Female Performance. The box office success led to a series of films: a 2003
sequel, Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde, and a 2009 direct-to-DVDspin-off, Legally
Blondes. Additionally, Legally Blonde: The Musical premiered on January 23, 2007, in San
Francisco and opened in New York City at the Palace Theatre on Broadway on April 29, 2007,
starring Laura Bell Bundy. In May 2020, it was announced that Mindy Kaling and Dan Goor were
signed to write a third film.[5] The third film was set to release in 2022 but has been delayed to an
undisclosed date.
Plot
In California, fashion merchandising student and sorority girl Elle Woods is taken to a local
restaurant by her boyfriend, Warner Huntington III. She expects a proposal, but he breaks up
with her instead. Intending to become a successful senator, he believes Elle is not "serious"
enough for that kind of life. Elle assumes she can win Warner back if she shows herself capable
of achieving the same things. After months of studying, Elle scores a 179 on the Law School
Admission Test[6] and, combined with her 4.0 GPA, is accepted to Harvard Law School.
During the first semester, Elle discovers her SoCal personality is a complete contrast to her
distrusting East Coast classmates. Elle learns of Warner's engagement to his previous girlfriend,
Vivian Kensington, and befriends local manicurist Paulette Bonafonté. Later, as Elle tells Warner
she intends to apply for one of her professor's internships, he says she is not smart enough.
Realizing that Warner will neither take her back nor take her seriously, Elle decides to improve
herself by demonstrating her understanding of the subject.
The following semester, Harvard's