By: debbie lynn elias
Back in theaters this summer straight from Bel Air by way of Boston and Washington, D.C., is America’s favorite blonde legal eagle, Elle Woods. When we last saw Elle, she had overcome her blondeness (to a degree), conquered Harvard law school, tried her first murder case (even got the client acquitted thanks to her superior hair care knowledge and fashion sense) and got engaged to the man of her dreams. This time around, Elle, together with her best friend and constant companion, the oh-so-fashionably attired Chihuahua known as Bruiser Woods, tries to conquer Capitol Hill with her perpetual pink perkiness as she lobbies against animal testing and fights for the freedom of Bruiser’s mother who is being held in a cosmetic animal testing facility. Seems that Elle can’t proceed with wedding plans until Bruiser’s mother is freed as there appears to be some wedding protocol that mandates a five week window from invitation mailing date to wedding date in order to allow for an RSVP, and how can Bruiser’s mom RSVP if she’s being held captive and how can the weeding proceed without Bruiser’s mom. Whew! (Okay, I said she overcame blondeness, not eliminate it!)
With her Harvard law degree and signature French manicure in hand, not to mention the support of her fiancé Emmett, Elle heads to Washington, D.C. to serve as a legislative aide to animal lover, and sponsor of an animal-rights bill authored by Elle, Representative Victoria Rudd. Hailed by Rudd as a brilliant legal mind, in one film’s funniest running jokes, Rudd and Elle could be the same person – blonde, perky and pixiesque – just separated by 30 or so years. But trying to win over staid and stoic politicians with personalities as dark as their suits, is no easy task for this pink powderpuff and she relies on friends both old and Nu (that’s Delta Nu!) as she fights to give a voice to those who can’t and ultimately, a voice to those who forgot they had one.
Written by newcomer Kate Kondell and based on a story by “Down With Love” writers Eve Ahlert and Dennis Drake, we are inundated with blonde jokes, fashion jokes, shopping jokes, political jokes, but they work. (“I taught Bruiser how to shop on-line. I think I can handle Congress.”; “This is just like C-SPAN, except it’s not boring”). And while Kondell has remained true to the original formula and characters, she does a nice job of balancing the fluff with the added layer of the expected cold, callousness of Washington. Where she falls short, however, is in her idealistic portrayal of Congress. Hey, just because you love your dog and your dog turns out to be gay doesn’t make a politician stand up and say “Hallelujah!” But while this idealism is not how the system works, it is how it should work and on that level, may prove inspiring to young girls across America as Jimmy Stewart was to so many in his generation with “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.”
Returning characters are aplenty which helps retain the integrity of the franchise and none is more loved than Moonie the Chihuahua who returns as Bruiser Woods. Reese Witherspoon with her enchanting ebullience is back as Elle together with Luke Wilson as the adoring and supportive Emmett. The indefatigable Jennifer Coolidge returns as hair stylist Paulette and Jessica Cauffiel and Alanna Ubach as best friends and Delta Nu sisters Margot and Serena. But, it’s the new faces that make you sit up and take notice. Sally Field is ideal as Victoria Rudd. With the effervescence of Gidget, the steel of Norma Rae and a touch of the Wicked With of the West, Field adds a delicious side to her persona and that of Rudd showing what time and politics can do to pink perkiness. Dana Ivey, who we last saw as the stoic legal eagle mother of Sandra Bullock in Two Weeks Notice,” goes for the gusto here as Chairperson Libby Hauser and is uproariously funny, never moreso than when doing the Delta Nu cheer in a beauty salon. Equally strong is Bruce McGill as hard-line Alabama Republican Stan Marks whose Rottweiler falls in love with Bruiser. But perhaps the two best additions are Regina King and Bob Newhart. King delivers a balanced blend of officious arrogance and honesty while Bob Newhart, key the story in his role as doorman Sidney Post is, well, what can we say – perfect – with his banal sense of humor and impeccable timing.
In only his second major outing, director Charles Herman-Wurmfeld does an adequate job of putting the pieces together but falls short, due in large part to the obviously cheap-looking production values (fashion aside, of course). The Utah State Capitol just doesn’t quite cut it as the U.S. Capitol nor does the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center quite work as an animal testing lab named V.E.R.S.A.C.E. I think that part of Witherspoon’s $15,000,000.00 salary may have been put to better use to improve the production values of what is an otherwise enjoyable film.
But one area where no expense was spared was in fashion, hair and make-up. Sophie Carbonell returns as costume designer and outdoes herself with help from some of the top designers of our day (Versace, Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, Louis Vuitton, Mikimoto, Oscar de la Renta, Ungaro and Prada to name a few), not to mention showcasing some 50+ pairs of Jimmy Choo shoes. And we can thank Anne Morgan and Brad Wilder for the impeccable hair and make-up.
As the film itself encourages, “Speak Up, America! Speak up for the home of the brave! Speak up for the land of the free gift with purchase!” Speak up and see “Legally Blonde 2.” It’s not rocket science (hey, it’s about a blonde, need we say more?). It’s not deep rooted (unless it’s salon day). It’s fluffy. It’s fun. It’s pink. It’s got cute shoes, cute clothes, a cute star and a very very cute dog. Arf!
Elle Woods: Reese Witherspoon
Rep. Rudd: Sally Field
Sidney Post: Bob Newhart
Emmett Richmond: Luke Wilson
MGM presents a film directed by Charles Herman-Wurmfeld. Written by Kate Kondell, based on the story and characters by Eve Ahlert, Dennis Drake, Kate Kondell and Amanda Brown. Running time: 95 minutes. Rated PG-13 (for some sex-related humor).
