Some days, there’s nothing that can help you out but an evening on the sofa, wrapped in a blanket, with only snacks, a candle, and a comfort film to keep you company. That could be a sick day, heart break, a mental health day, bad news, or simply waking up in a damn bad mood. Most comfort films are uplifting, endlessly quote-able, and so re-watchable that it’s likely you’ve seen your comfort film at least ten times now.
But that raises the question, what is the best comfort film? And why is the answer Legally Blonde? Oh, you disagree? Well, let me tell you why I think Legally Blonde is one of the greatest comfort films you could ever have.
Yes, it’s funny, entertaining and heart-warming. Yes, the cast is packed with stars like Reese Witherspoon, Luke Wilson, Jennifer Coolidge, and Linda Cardellini. But that’s only scratching at the surface of Legally Blonde. If you need a refresher on the film, it follows Elle Woods; a blonde, beautiful, Malibu-Barbie styled sorority president; as she gets dumped by her rich, fraternity boyfriend as he announces he is going to Harvard Law School. She enrols in Harvard Law with a plan to win him back. What sounds like a vapid, empty chick-flick on paper, develops into a story about self-discovery, trusting your gut, and never judging a book by a cover. Spoiler alert: she gets into Harvard, she doesn’t win her boyfriend back and is all the more better for it.
I’m not afraid to say that it’s not groundbreakingly original. It’s a film full of metaphors and fables that we all know. It’s giving Rags to Riches, it’s giving Cinderella, it’s giving the Rebirth Archetype. Perhaps not in the typical way of starting as a poor or stricken citizen, and working up to money or fame, but with a focus more on ideals and development. Elle starts off not knowing her worth and ability, and blossoms as the story unfolds, learning that she doesn’t need a man, learning that she is just as worthy as any Harvard student, and learns that the truth will out. It’s a story and an archetype we’ve been taught since birth, just with a twist of pink and femininity. I would even go as far to say it is a morality tale – by doing the right thing and helping others, doth shall prevail.
The real core of the film lies in its relatability – especially in terms of making it a wonderful comfort film.
Elle goes through so much within the film, moments that are so relatable to millennial women and the generations that come after them. It doesn’t matter who you are or who you identify with – as a nerd, an athlete, a girly-girl, an outcast – Elle goes through a full spectrum of emotions and moments. Her heart gets broken by the love of her life. She isn’t taken seriously because of her gender. People judge her by her femininity.
it’s a shared experience of girlhood and womanhood. And seeing her come through the other side reminds me that I will too.
She battles beauty standards and sexual harassment. She experiences betrayal by friends, the joys of academic success, and the wonder of being loved by someone who loves you for you. In any space of time, we are going through something, or have been through something, that Elle goes through in the space of an hour and a half. You can see yourself reflected in that bouncy, blonde, beautiful icon, no matter who you are. When I choose this film to give me comfort, I don’t look at all like Elle. I’m in oversized, old pyjamas; my brown, messy hair damp from a quick shower; my soft and chubby body held in by granny style pants; hairy legs peaking out from a weighted blanket. But she goes through what I go through, it’s a shared experience of girlhood and womanhood. And seeing her come through the other side reminds me that I will too.
Whilst it may not be a ground-breaking, Oscar worthy piece of cinema, Legally Blonde is revolutionary as it serves as many people’s first introduction to a positive view of extreme femininity. This film walked so Barbie could run. Only for a mere thirty-seconds does Elle consider toning down her wardrobe, hair and attitude, before realising it’s a central part of who she is. She gets into Harvard Law, aces the exams, and wins a legal case dressed in high heels, pink suits, slick make-up, and a bouncy blow out. She click-clacks her way across the court room and flicks her hair as she becomes valedictorian.
For most women of my generation, we’ve been fed the narrative of walking the line.
Wear make-up, but in a way that looks like you aren’t wearing any. Dress smart at work, but don’t let the clothes show your body too much, that’s not professional. Take care of your appearance, but not too much because that’s vain. Honesty is the best policy, but actually, don’t show your emotions. We’ve been encouraged by magazines and a society to put us in little boxes, to not make more noise than necessary, to let the big boys play and the girls clap at the side. Whereas Legally Blonde allows Elle to subvert all the norms that are stacked against her and become a success whilst doing it. My generation have a lot more confidence to wear clothes that feel like us, from pink suits to checkered Vans, because Elle Woods did it first.
This film is also a perfect pocket of nostalgia. The music, the fashion, the language used, it all encapsulates the early noughties. The opening number of the film, ‘Perfect Day’ by Hoku, could not sound more 2001 if it tried. It takes you back to a time of sticky shimmer lip gloss, layered camisoles, and fluffy phones. Of course, the film does come with a few moments that haven’t aged beautifully, mainly around the noughties obsession with thinness. Who can forget Paulette’s famous “I’m a middle aged, high school drop out with stretch marks and a fat ass”, delivered like it was the worst thing in the world. But even with a small handful of head tilting lines, there’s actually not that many – it’s aged surprisingly well for a film made in the very early noughties!
You can see yourself reflected in that bouncy, blonde, beautiful icon, no matter who you are.
Everything about it shouts rewatch-ability; the jokes, the quotes, the predictability, and the sickly sweet happy ending. This isn’t Interstellar or Inception – you aren’t going to get something mind-bendingly brand new each time you watch it. But you will get warmth, you will get joy, you will get humour. In a world where so much is outside of our control, Legally Blonde gives you reliability, predictability, and space to feel what you need to.
Other contenders for comfort films that subvert yet feel homey and heart-warming? The Princess Diaries, The Princess Bride, The Breakfast Club, and anything with The Muppets in it.
Let me know, do you agree that Legally Blonde is one of the best comfort films out there? Do you disagree? Then tell me your favourite comfort film and why! You know I’m down to collect comfort films like Pokemon.
Love, Rosie x
rosie abigail 
Leave a reply to rosie abigail Cancel reply