the law student’s Words by: christina Akele
Films with a premise centred around ‘law’ have undeniably captured the attention of the public for years. From star-studded casts to dramatic dialogue, law-related films always have a way of moving an audience, even if they are not always entirely accurate. But for us law students, some of these films might just remind us of the reason we are all here, and what we might one day achieve. For today’s issue, our recommendations include films that honour history’s legal heroes, a movie based on a famous trial, and – the essential – an inspirational chick flick. Also, keep reading for the perfect film to watch after mid-year exams that has little to no relevance to law, but with humour that is very, for lack of a better phrase, à la Hilarian.
Legallly Blonde (2001)
Movies
This classic chick-flick has really stood the test of time. The film may leave you thinking, ‘a video essay like that would TOTALLY get anyone into Harvard Law’, or asking, ‘how on earth did a FIRST-YEAR student get to work on such a high-profile murder case?’ Even the courtroom scene might be a little baffling for us law students. But there is no denying that this movie will put a smile on your face, even if the plot is somewhat hyperbolic (to say the least). The film follows Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon), a privileged, seemingly vapid, yet charismatic girl obsessed with anything pink, who is dumped by her douche of a boyfriend after he is accepted into Harvard Law school. Believing that he is in search of a sensible law student, Elle manages to be admitted into Harvard Law in a quest to win him back, but she gradually realises her own intelligence and potential in the legal field and her trajectory soon changes. Whether it’s Elle Woods’ iconic pink courtroom attire, or the way that the film defies gender tropes and stereotypes, this might be the film to watch to raise your spirits – just suspend your disbelief for a second when it comes to the legal stuff.
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