Legally Blonde

Overall I enjoyed the film.  Although degrading constructions of femininity were included, the end of the movie worked to empower women by working with these constructions of femininity in a realistic and positive way.  In modern society it is impossible to ignore the message that women should strive to be beautiful.  The idea that women are valued at their level of beauty is a deeply rooted message rooted in mainstream media as well as a plethora of other sources.  Although Legally Blonde presents constructions of this mentality, the take away message is that women do not receive fulfillment from superficial goals.  The joy Elle receives at the end of the film comes from her ability to use her wit to right a wrong in court.  She is empowered by the fact that she has moved on from Warner to pursue a man who  loves and admires her for who she is and not solely how she looks.  Along with Elle, Vivian also finds happiness after leaving Warner when she discovers he would have gotten back together with Elle after she had successfully proven herself worthy of marrying a man of his status.  Paulette is also elated by the fact that her and the UPS man are married and expecting their first child.  In this instance, an attractive man had looked beyond Paulette's physical shortcomings and found a woman he was proud to spend the rest of his life nurturing.  Those who doubted Elle's potential meet a bleak end as Mr. Callaghan is fired from a prominent case and loses Emmett as an employee, and Warner graduates without honors, a girlfriend, or any job offers.  On graduation, Elle is elected class speaker and makes the case that above all else you have to believe in yourself.  With this sentiment, she looks forward to an evening proposal by Emmett and a job offer from one of Boston's most prestigious law firms.