Claim: Karen McCullah Lutz and Kirsten Smith wrote the screenplay for Legally Blonde.

Legally Blonde is a 2001 American comedy film adapted from the novel of the same title by Amanda Brown . It was directed by Robert Luketic , scripted by Karen McCullah Lutz and Kirsten Smith , and stars Reese Witherspoon , Luke Wilson , Selma Blair , Matthew Davis , Victor Garber , and Jennifer Coolidge . The film tells the story of Elle Woods , a sorority girl who attempts to win back her ex-boyfriend by getting a law degree .   The film was released on July 13 , 2001 , and received positive reviews from critics . The critics ' consensus states that `` though the material is predictable and formulaic , Reese Witherspoon 's funny , nuanced performance makes this movie better than it would have been otherwise '' . It was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture : Musical or Comedy and ranked 29th on Bravo 's 2007 list of `` 100 Funniest Movies '' . Witherspoon received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress -- Motion Picture Musical or Comedy , and the 2002 MTV Movie Award for Best Female Performance .   The box-office success led to a 2003 sequel , Red , White & Blonde , and a 2009 direct-to-DVD spin-off , Legally Blondes . Additionally , Legally Blonde : The Musical premiered on January 23 , 2007 , in San Francisco and opened in New York City at the Palace Theatre on Broadway on April 29 , 2007 , starring Laura Bell Bundy .