LEGALLY BLONDE Beat Sheet

Screenplay by Karen McCullah Lutz & Kirsten Smith Based on the book by Amanda Brown

Opening Image: It's a "Perfect Day" on Sorority Row at fabled CULA, an LA-based college, as the girls of Delta Nu sign a card for President and Homecoming Queen Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon), wishing her luck. Her beau's proposing tonight!

Theme Stated: Shopping for an outfit, Reese and bosom buddies Margot Jessica Cauffiel) and Serena (Alanna Ubach) are almost tricked by the clerk. "There's nothing I like better than a dumb blonde with daddy's credit card," the counter maven says. But Reese proves she knows more about the merchandise than the sales lady and outsmarts her. Being discriminated against for being blonde is the film's thematic hurdle, established here.

Set-Up: The Harvard Law School-bound Warner (Matthew Davis) turns up for their date. At Minute 7, he surprises Reese by dumping her. "If I'm gonna be a senator by the time I'm thirty," he says. "I need to marry a Jackie not a Marilyn." This variation on the "Save the Cat" scene is called Kill the Cat, and works exactly the same way: Until this moment, we think Reese is a tad plastic, but after seeing her smooshed, we feel for her. From this point forward, we'll root for her to get whatever she wants.

Catalyst: Moping at Minute 12, Reese goes to a beauty salon with her pals and gets new info: Her almost-fiance's brother is engaged to a girl in law school. That's what Reese needs to win her beau back! By being more serious, maybe he'll marry her!

Debate: Can she get into law school? As Reese's counselor tells her: "Harvard won't be impressed that you aced History of Polka Dots." Fashion-major Reese begins to study for the LSATs, eschews Greek Week, does a sexy video "directed by a Coppola," and gets approved by an all-male Harvard Law admissions staff.

Break into Two: At Minute 20, a pink-clad Reese arrives on dry land, a fish totally out of water, along with Chihuahua Bruiser Woods and a Bekins truck in tow. Her goal is still getting a ring on her finger, so she's shocked to discover her ex is engaged to Vivian Kensington (Selma Blair). She's even more shocked when the unwelcoming Selma gets her kicked out of a class taught by the tough, Paper Chase-y Professor Stromwell (Holland Taylor).

B Story: Twin B stories as Reese meets Emmett Richmond (Luke Wilson), a

seasoned law grad. But her guiding spirit is Paulette Bonafonte (Jennifer Coolidge), the " funho use -mirror" twist on her sorority sisters, who has also been dumped by her ex. Both Luke and Jennifer will give Reese the push into Act Three she needs.

Fun and Games: Reese brings the pink to law school — and is rejected by the brown and gray-toned students who don't get her. Her attempts to blend in by dressing conservatively, bringing muffins to a study group, and using her CULA sorority-row ways in Harvard Yard are the crux of the "promise of the premise."

Midpoint: At Minute 42, we reach a turning point when Reese is tricked by Selma,

who invites her to what she thinks is a costume party. Reese shows up dressed in a

Playboy bunny outfit, and after running into her ex, is told she should give up her

chase of him and law school. That exchange marks the end of one part of Reese's

journey and the beginning of another, as Reese decides to redouble her efforts as a

student. A determined Reese, still ala Bunny, is next seen in line at the student

bookstore by Luke (as A and B stories cross). In her rebound rise, Reese and

Jennifer reclaim Jennifer's dog from her ex-lover (a second A and B cross). There's

even a nice FT moment as Reese dons glasses (her fool's disguise), so she can pose as

Jennifer's attorney. As Selma (the Insider) watches in fear, Reese impresses Professor

Callahan (Victor Garber) and presents him with a pink and scented resume. Finally

Reese is chosen along with her ex and Selma to work on a big case with Victor, who's a

practicing attorney.

Bad Guys Close In: The "stakes are raised" as Reese enters the world of the law firm. One of her Delta Nu sisters, Brooke Taylor (Ali Larter), is charged with murder; Luke is revealed as Victor's right hand man; and the pressure mounts for Reese to perform. While Reese coaches Jennifer in the art of wooing the salon's UPS Man and teaches her the "bend and snap" routine (that I still wish someone would explain to me), the case continues — and it looks bad for Brooke. Reese gets Brooke to reveal her alibi in private, but their sorority sister's code prevents Reese from telling anyone else. This honorable act shows Selma that Reese has character. Reese and Luke go to a spa to see the murdered man's ex-wife (Raquel Welch). On the way, Reese repeats the theme: "I'm discriminated against as a blonde."

All Is Lost: After Reese shines in court, the lecherous Victor calls her into his office and makes a pass. Devastated, Reese leaves as Selma accuses her of sleeping with the professor to get ahead. Reese realizes she will never be

appreciated for her brain.

Dark Night of the Soul: Reese tells Luke goodbye, and packs.

Break into Three: Two A and B stories cross in fast order. First, Reese stops by Jennifer's beauty shop and is encouraged by Professor Stromwell, who tells her not to quit. Second, Luke and Selma (who's given up her Insider's distrust and become an ally) now confront Brooke, tell her the smarmy Victor hit on Reese, and convince her to fire him - and hire the Blonde!

Finale: All arrive for the final courtroom scene, including Reese's Delta Nu

girlfriends and Jennifer with her UPS beau.Reese enters wearing pink, a perfect example of

Synthesis. And just as in the early scene when she bests the clerk by knowing the

merchandise, Reese tricks the victim's daughter into confessing by understanding the rules

of perms — and wins the case! Then true victory comes as her ex proposes and she turns

him down.

Final Image: Big change from the opening image with caps in the air as Reese

graduates Harvard Law — first in her class!