Legally Blonde 2: Red, White and Blonde

Prequel: “Legally Blonde” (2001)

Bob Newhart, Sally Field, and Bruce McGill join Reese Witherspoon in creating a mostly squeaky-clean, positive film. Label it Ms. Smith Goes to Washington, “Legally Blonde 2: Red, White, and Blonde” follows its heroine, Elle Woods, out of her comfort zone of wedding planning into the backbiting world of Washington politics.

Elle’s initial motives for moving to D.C. seem selfish and laughable, her materialistic shopping and beauty habits are exaggerated, and her values are slightly skewed from what most would call “normal,” but beneath Elle’s designer outfits beats a heart of pure gold and an admirable determination to defend the powerless. (For information on biblical women of admirable character, click here.)

As Elle crusades for animal rights on Capitol Hill, she finds ways to hilariously serve her fellow congressional aides, presenting the idea of a “Snap Cup” full of compliments when their vicious bickering threatens her cheery office environs. In her quest to see a new bill (emblazoned inside a hot pink folder) passed through Congress, Elle persistently uses her expertise in beauty and calls on easily-made friends to gain the influence needed to achieve her goals.

Even when Elle is wronged and viciously attacked by her peers and mentor, she responds with grace and straightforward honesty. Though obsessive about her looks and others’, Elle is a great role model for young women, as she stands up for her beliefs and lovingly encourages others to set loose their potential. To learn more about becoming an encouraging influence among those around you, click here.

“Red, White, and Blonde” is also a positive call for young people to let their voices be heard in government. The point the filmmakers may be trying to make: “If a character this naive can make a difference, maybe I could, too.”

Reese Witherspoon plays Elle with the right notes of earnestness and bravado beauty queen. Her co-stars, Sally Field, Bob Newhart, and especially Bruce McGill and Dana Ivey fill what could have been stereotypical roles with charm and some fun surprises.

You can take your teens to Legally Blonde 2 and enjoy it with this warning: the film contains several references to homosexual behavior (mostly by dogs) that parents may need to answer questions about later. There is also a dance sequence inside the Capitol among a group of interns that is sexually suggestive.

FURTHER NOTES FROM THE PUBLISHER: This is a teens and adults film only. The expression “Oh my G-d” is used many times. There are various adult jokes, a few sexual innuendoes, and some crude language (including “H-ly cr-p” and “Give ’em h-ll”). In addition, although this movie is non-violent, relatively clean for a PG-13 film, and does make some good points, some parents may choose to have their teens skip this one because of their views about the following content.

Like many films these days, this one contains an unnecessary “gay” subplot. This was not the case in the first Legally Blonde. Various viewers have told us that it struck them as particularly inappropriate in this film. Not only does Elle have a stereotypically gay personal assistant, but Elle’s male dog is also portrayed as “gay” and having a sexually aroused relationship with the “gay” male dog of a congressman. This is a running gag in the movie.

According to the Los Angeles Times (June 29 issue), the director of this film (Charles Herman-Wurmfeld) is a “long-time liberal activist.” He campaigned for Howard Dean for U.S. President. His first movie was KISSING JESSICA STEIN (a lesbian comedy). We assume that he is responsible for including such content as this: A conservative congressman accepts his dogs homosexuality and bring him “out of the closet” in a legislative committee, saying: “My Rottweiler is of the homosexual persuasion. …I couldn’t be prouder of the little flamer.” The fictional “Gay Dogs of America” association receives Elle’s campaign help. One of the sorority girls is a guy in drag or a transsexual. A couple of Elle’s pals appear in S&M clothing on a Maxim magazine cover. The dogs are shown in S&M type garb. Herman-Wurmfeld is more than willing to promote the gay agenda in this way. Be warned that this movie is not recommended for pre-teens for good reason.

• Neutral
• Negative
• Young people
• Critics