Screenwriter's Series: Karen McCullah and Kirsten Smith

The Screenwriters Series will examine the filmography of a screenwriter with the hope of finding out what helped them break into the industry or continue to find success. "Story By" credits will not be used: only films with official WGA Screenplay credit per IMDb will be used. This includes screenplays with multiple writers that may or may not have collaborated.

THIS MONTH'S SCREENWRITERS: Karen McCullah and Kirsten Smith

Hot off the success of 10 Things I Hate About You, the writing duo chose to adapt Amanda Brown's novel about her experience being a fashion obsessed blonde and outcast at Stanford Law School.

MOVIE: Legally Blonde (2001)

Starring:

Reese Witherspoon as Elle Woods

Luke Wilson as Emmett

Selma Blair as Vivian Kensington

Matthew Davis as Warner

Victor Garber as Professor Callahan

Jennifer Coolidge as Paulette

Holland Taylor as Professor Stromwell

Ali Larter as Brook Taylor Windham

Director: Robert Luketic

Budget: $18 Million

Box Office:

Opened: $20.3M

Final: $96.5M

Plot:

After her well to do boyfriend Warner unexpectedly breaks up with her for being a Marilyn instead of a Jackie, fashion minded sorority girl Elle Woods decides to give him what he wants and passes the LSATS so she can join him at Harvard Law School. While she initially sticks out like a sore thumb, Elle begins to prove her worth and gets invited to join some of her fellow students helping her professor on a career making murder trial.

The Script:

Once again this is a well written, smart and funny script from the ladies. One thing that I think is very important is that they were able to make an unlikable lead sympathetic and worth rooting for through her actions. Don't judge this book by her cover, which is a vapid rich kid who has everything. They wisely do away with her sorority girl persona quite early, allowing her to focus on doing well in school. While she doesn't do well in what many would consider the traditional sense, she uses the knowledge that she has to come to unique decisions and answers. Plus she is loyal, does everything she can to help those close to her, and trusts her gut which is important in creating a strong protagonist. Audiences felt a strong connection to her character as well, evident after test screenings made the production add an epilogue that tells you what happened with everyone and gave Warner some more humiliation. This was not in the shooting draft I read and helped the movie end in a satisfying way. Making any lead likable is a challenge but McCullah and Smith gave themselves quite a challenge, one that they were able to rise to.

I also appreciated the lack of a romantic subplot in the film, instead letting Elle focus on helping win the case. It's there, but so much in the background that her and Emmett kissing at the end is almost an afterthought. The story is also very forward thinking, which I appreciated. Emmett doesn't once question Elle about what happened with Callahan (who is Donovan in the script), a man who up to this point has made his career and given him no reason to not like, and wants to help her take him down. Even Vivian (who is Sarah in the script) is quick to take Elle's side after learning what happened to her. For a film in this genre that many would write off as mindless entertainment, these are some impressive points to make.

My Review:

This film is a lot of fun. While the film is well written, filled with colorful and offbeat characters and very funny, the movie wouldn't have worked without Reese Witherspoon in the role. Witherspoon makes Elle incredibly hard to root against and highlights the generous and thoughtful nature of her character who goes out of her way to help people you wouldn't expect. Plus, she's smart! I also appreciated the lack of a forced romantic subplot, helping to keep us invested in Elle's journey.

Critical reception:

70% on Rotten Tomatoes

Trivia:

The "Bend and Snap" almost wasn't a part of the film and was created by McCullah and Smith when they were drinking at a bar searching for a subplot for Paulette. While they were initially leaning towards her store being robbed, they eventually landed on her trying to be with the UPS guy and the move was born.

Up Next: Ella Enchanted (2004)