Legally Blonde

In this fancifully soft comedy directed by newcomer Robert Luketic, the popular, rich Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon) has everything -- above all a head of perfectly highlighted eye-popping bouncy blond hair. But when blue-blooded boyfriend Emmett (Luke Wilson) takes off for Harvard Law School, leaving her for old-money prep-school prude Vivian Kensington (Selma Blair), Elle whips herself into an LSAT frenzy, somehow gaining last-minute admission to Harvard and a chance to win him back. Once in Cambridge, high-maintenance chic is confronted with anti-blonde, anti-LA discrimination and the chirpy film turns into something like Clueless with streaks of Good Will Hunting -- the prejudice, the undiscovered genius, the cute clothes, the quick saucy quips. With her Cosmo, her full set of manicured nails, and her stiletto ankle boots, Elle is -- duh -- taken for a ditz. But the broken-hearted blonde has a one-track mind, and ultimately her knowledge of Prada, her hair-care skills, and her infamous gym prowess help her win her case. Sure, this is no Paper Trail, but its knowing bubblegum playfulness is rewarding all the same. At the Apple Valley, Entertainment, Flagship, Holiday, Hoyts Providence 16, Showcase, and Tri-Boro cinemas.
-- Nina Willdorf