 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Legally Blonde
- Review Date: July 28, 2005
- PG-13
- Genre: Comedy
- 2001
Common Sense Media says
Bombshell discovers her brainy side in fun romp for teens+.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
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.
What's the story?
Adorable Southern California sorority girl Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon) is about to graduate with a major in fashion marketing. Her life seems perfect. Her biggest challenge is what to wear for what she thinks will be a marriage proposal from her beau, Warner Huntington III (Matthew Davis). But he has another idea. He has decided to break up with her before he leaves for Harvard Law School, because she's not they right type to help him in his political career. Elle decides that the only way to get him back is to join him at Harvard. So, she studies hard, aces the LSATs, and, with the help of a very unique videotaped application essay, she is admitted. Her new classmates are skeptical and tease her. Worst of all, Warner is engaged to a girl who looks like an ad for Town and Country magazine. They won't let her study with them and they play a cruel joke on her. But Elle surprises them all -- and even herself -- by becoming a first class law student and a first class lawyer while staying true to herself. She ends up defending a murder suspect with whom she has a special rapport and conducting a cross-examination that would impress Perry Mason.
Is it any good?
This courtroom comedy might not reach the heights of the sublime My Cousin Vinny, but it comes pretty close. Witherspoon is a treasure. She makes Elle completely believable as a delectable California girl with spirit and brains even she did not realize. Witherspoon and the art direction (even the credits have i's dotted with hearts) keep things bubbly even when the script falters into predictability or vulgarity.
Luke Wilson as a young lawyer and Holland Taylor as an acerbic professor add some nice moments. And it is fun to see Raquel Welch in a cameo as a wealthy divorcée.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
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?
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- Teens & kids
Teen, 14 years old
April 9, 2008
AGE
love this movie!
Reese Witherspoon always does good movies. There is very little language issues and no violence at all. This is a really fun chick flick! anyone 10+ can watch without caution; under that, parents preview first.
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Kid, 12 years old
October 25, 2009
AGE
the best
not the best language but it is awesome!!!!!!watch it!!
i love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Teen, 15 years old
April 9, 2008
AGE
Funny
Corny? Yes.
Guilty Pleasure? Definitely.
Really really fun? HECK YES!
'Legally Blonde' is a really fun, entertaining, and frequently hilarious film--if you don't mind some cheesiness then it's a great time at the movies.
Oh--and this is another one CSM is totally wrong on. It says Pause 14+...um, no. I saw this movie when it came out in theaters, I was probably about 9 years old, and it was perfectly appropriate back then. It's totally appropriate for kids to watch, just some mostly mild cussing and mild sexual references.
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Teen, 13 years old
April 9, 2008
AGE
Sassy and Sweet!
After seening this movie nobody better tell me how stupid blondes are. Elle (reese witherspoon) portrayed and played a wonderful character who was sick of every guy telling her how the only thing she knew how to do was hair and makeup, but when she got accepted into harvard everything changed. This movie is great everytime i see it.
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Kid, 10 years old
March 13, 2011
AGE
iffy for ages 10 or 11
funny, great comedy because of the language and consumerism i rate it iffy for 11 since im 11 and thought it was amazing but maybe
inapproprate for other 11 year olds
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Parent
January 11, 2011
AGE
This movie is just funny. Full of cliches, but it works. Great teen movie.
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Teen, 13 years old
July 26, 2009
AGE
e.g. Perfect for older kids, but not for tweens
This is one of my favorite movies. I love Reese Witherspoon. :D
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Adult
November 28, 2010
AGE
Legally Blonde is Legally Brilliant!
Ok. First of all can I just say that this movie is an absolute treat. I love rom-coms but Legally Blonde takes the cake. I love the tension between Elle and Warner and Elle and Vivian. Emmett relieves some of that tension and is a perfect role model, along with Elle, for teaching kids to stand up for whatever, or whoever, they believe in, even if they are standing alone. The plot is brilliant, I love the idea of a young girl breaking free of the stereotype that has always been her safe haven, and rising above sexism and judgement to become successful. It is a beautiful tale of self - discovery and romance. It teaches people to believe in themselves and, in the words of Elle Woods, "have some faith in other people."
The soundtrack and speckled humour keep the movie lively and upbeat, making it a pleasure to watch.
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Teen, 13 years old
November 13, 2009
AGE
Great movie!
This movie was really empowering (especially for girls). There are some sexual references, and there is a scene when Professor Callahan tries to make a move on Elle, but that stopped quickly. The movie is funny!
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Teen, 14 years old
September 5, 2009
AGE
Can't Wait to See the Sequel
This was a really funny and good. It's great for sleepovers.
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| Studio: | MGM/UA |
| Director: | Robert Luketic |
| Cast: | Luke Wilson, Reese Witherspoon, Selma Blair |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 96 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | July 13, 2001 |
| DVD release date: | November 6, 2001 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | some crude humor and language |
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