Legally Blonde is a flick to last the decades

Stunting a pink dress and a Harvard law degree, Elle Woods managed to embody the entirety of the early 2000s in under two hours. With her witty comebacks, manicures, and unparalleled drive to succeed, Woods, portrayed by Reese Witherspoon, provided an entire generation a new concept of what it means to thrive. Her words are endlessly quotable, her surprisingly profound advice is unforgettable, and the film in itself is one for the ages. Released in 2001, Legally Blonde remains as one of the most popular flicks of all time, and one that can be watched over and over to no end.

Despite her ditzy sorority girl appearance created within the first five minutes, Woods quickly proves her intelligence and pure determination to get what she wants, earning the respect of any viewer who appreciates a strong lead. Her problems shift from somewhat trivial (such as being too blonde for her would-be-fiance) to extremely respectable (wanting to graduate with fly colors from Harvard Law), and the vast dynamics of this character are revealed. This change makes for great entertainment, all while empowering the generation that grew up watching Woods’ success story.

In the face of a challenging court case or an embarrassing trick at a party, there’s nothing that she can’t handle, and it’s nearly impossible not to fall in love with this character all while craving the same happiness and confidence she finds.

If this colorful character isn’t enough to charm an audience, equally colorful supporting roles offer additional humor and charm, which is never in short supply. On the side of Woods’ collegiate drama, viewers sit at the edge of their seats in hopes that Paulette will score a date with the UPS guy, Vivian will leave Warner, and Professor Callahan will get what he deserves (which isn’t anything good). Sure, most events in the film are trivial, but most everything was at the turn of the century. There’s no doubt that Legally Blonde can be empowering, but it’s a good go-to movie for anyone who wants a taste of the simplicity and fun of the decade.