Legally Blonde MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +3 Content: -1 1/2

Put your "dumb blonde" jokes on hold Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon), a beautiful blonde college graduate with a degree in fashion design, could make you look dumb. Against the advice of her college adviser, warning that her thesis on the history of polka dots won't impress Harvard Law School's stuffy admissions committee, Elle confidently submits a video essay. Initially, her sole purpose in attending law school is to win back her ambitious boyfriend (Matthew Davis) who jilted her because she doesn't appear smart enough. Her presence on the prestigious Ivy League campus creates a beehive of gossip, snickers and animosity. The ditzy blonde from California wears outrageous outfits best defined as costumes and takes notes in class with a pink-plumed pen and heart-shaped notepad. Her only friends at Harvard besides Bruiser, her constant Chihuahua companion, are a manicurist (Jennifer Coolidge) and Emmett, a legal researcher (Luke Wilson). A delightfully funny, goofy comedy is what this summer needs entertainment. Although not neccessarily a male-oriented film, many teenagers and young adults will find much to amuse themselves in LEGALLY BLONDE.

However, it should be illegal to produce a film aimed at impressionable, young teenagers and fill it with offensive language. Without minimal sexual or violent content and a wholesome role model as its heroine, this fun comedy should be recommendable. Sexually suggestive dialogue or action is limited to Elle's reference to a time she and Warner spent together in a hot tub and her law professor putting his hand on her knee. Unfortunately, Elle and her sorority sisters use crude slang terms for male genitals and sex when venting anger, although they avoid using f-words. However, two regular profanities and numerous obscenities fail to completely obscure clear-cut, positive messages. Despite the appearance of a "dumb blonde," Elle earns highest honors in law school through hard work, refuses to break her word under pressure from her superiors, and spurns inappropriate advances from a law professor. Her compassion and willingness to help others eventually wins over faculty and students alike. When made the butt of a cruel joke, she keeps her cool, refusing to allow herself to be humiliated. LEGALLY BLONDE sadly disappoints with frequent vulgar language.

Preview Reviewer: Mary Draughon
Distributor: MGM, 2500 Broadway St., Santa Monica, CA 90404-3061