A Pleasant Surprise

 Going into watching Legally Blonde, I wasn't expecting much. The intro practically screamed early 2000's. The concept I had of it didn't really appeal to me. It was only one and a half hours long so I assumed it was a one and done dumb movie. I was very, very much wrong. The dialogue was fresh, casual, and sounded like things people would say. Even the occasional swearing didn't feel out of place, but rather just a natural part of the characters' vocabularies. The same goes with the jokes and insults thrown around. They didn't seem forced, and honestly I'd love the opportunity to use a few of them in real life.

The idea that this was surprisingly realistic and down to earth doesn't just apply to those few things. Elle Woods was very fleshed out and neither her airhead nor serious sides conflicted with the other. I think this was mostly due to the fact her intelligence were shown through scenarios that went along with her "blondness". From knowing the red dress was a scam to the end where she ousted the daughter due to her perm, Elle Woods was one whole character throughout. I especially liked that she worked hard and took a reasonable amount of time to actually get into Harvard. She wasn't a ditzy slacker that miraculously got in because of some cheap gimmick. She studied for presumably months and already had a good track record proving that it wasn't some unrealistic fluke.

The other characters worked well too. One in particular I liked (until I didn't like him) was Professor Callahan. He seemed like a competent and well meaning professor and lawyer. And the way he turned into a twist villain was done very well. It was subtle and a slow burn. Seeing his interactions with Brooke, the way he treated Vivian, they were all clear signs of his true nature without shoving it down our throat. The transition from respected authority figure to creep that feels up young women was smooth and didn't even feel like so much of a twist. It felt, rather like Elle Woods, that Professor Callahan was one whole character who happened to be good at hiding his darker side.

The story itself was surprisingly satisfying, if a bit simplistic. Vivian was redeemed, Warner was left with no girl and no future, Brooke was proven innocent, and Elle Woods graduated. Though perhaps this might not be completely realistic, everything was wrapped up in a neat little bow. I didn't have any unanswered questions, no plotlines left unresolved, no bittersweet ending. It was just straight up enjoyable from beginning to end.

So, I suppose my initial thoughts and subsequent change of heart fall into line with the movie's message. Which though very cliché and rather cheesy, is to not judge a book by its cover. I  I fully expected to not like this movie and am very glad to have been proven wrong. You could even say it was a...pleasant surprise. I apologize, but 2000's comedy always gets me in the mood for overdone and on the nose jokes.