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By BETH JONES
Over the years, Witherspoon has earned a solid following among art-house film fans, as well as rave reviews, for her work in films like "Election," "Pleasantville" and "The Man in the Moon." But while her movies frequently earn critical acclaim, they never set fire to the box-office. Witherspoon chose "Legally Blonde" because she knew it would appeal to a wider audience. She believed this would be the movie that made her a star. And she was right. The material is never as polished as "Clueless" or "Fast Times at Ridgemont High," but Witherspoon's intense performance elevates "Legally Blonde" far beyond the territory of the average teen comedy. Witherspoon plays Elle Woods, a sorority girl with a 4.0 in fashion merchandising, and the right outfit for almost every occasion. Forget the blonde jokes. Elle may be shallow, but she's not stupid. When she decides she wants to go to Harvard for law school, Elle gets accepted on the strength of her test scores and the application video that shows off her bikini-clad bod. It's not that Elle has any intention of being a lawyer. She's going to Harvard to follow her ex-boyfriend Warner (Matthew Davis). He recently dumped Elle, gently explaining that if he's going to be a senator he'll need a wife who's more Jacqueline Kennedy than Marilyn Monroe. But she's determined to get him back, and Elle always gets her way. Rich and beautiful, Elle has always been the queen bee. Until now. Warren has a new fiance named Vivian (Selma Blair), who's dripping with class and cash - and harbors an intense hatred of Elle. The other students are baffled by Elle's pink, feathery wardrobe and give her an equally cold shoulder. Only Elle's manicurist (Jennifer Coolidge) and Emmett (Luke Wilson), a kind lawyer from a nearby firm, will give her the time of day. "Legally Blonde" has a fun, almost-plastic look. Elle's pink feathered outfits are especially outrageous, and her accessorized Chihuahua adds to the fashion statement. The movie's fun factor causes you to forgive many of the holes in the plot. But, you do have to wonder why Elle would love someone like Warner. As portrayed by Davis, Warner is a bland, Ken-doll kind of man. You picture her with a slick, Porshe-driving type - someone more like Luke Perry off "90210." Witherspoon was bound to steal the limelight, but Davis seems to be in a coma whenever he's on screen. In his first feature film, director Robert Luketic tried to create a courtroom scene a la "My Cousin Vinny," but it's too silly to work. The overly sentimental ending is equally disastrous. Still, Witherspoon's performance helps the film weather even these rough patches. With the release of "Legally Blonde," Witherspoon is being compared with Julia Roberts left and right. Both women have a keen sense of comedy, but there's an alarming edge to Witherspoon that would keep her from being convincing in a light-hearted romantic role. She gives you the feeling that at any moment she might boil your bunny. And, after all, we go to a Julia Roberts movie to see Julia Roberts play Julia Roberts. Witherspoon is a more serious actress, one who is able to fully transform herself for any role. She's has proven her versatility by playing a wide range of character parts - all with the same, startling depth. She's more likely to follow the more serious footsteps of Jodie Foster and Frances McDormand.
Beth Jones can be reached at 777-6493 or bethj@roanoke.com
Legally Blonde Three and 1/2 Stars An MGM release release showing at Carmike 10 at Tanglewood Mall, Salem Valley 8 and Valley View Grande 16. Rated PG-13 for language and sexual references. One hour, 32 minutes.
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