Reese's Pieces

The lovely, soon to be Oscar nominated (at long last!) star of Walk the Line has over the last decade carved out one of the best resumes among young Hollywood. At the age of 29, Laura Jean Reese Witherspoon has had her own franchise, 2 children, a much speculated about Hollywood marriage, the distinction of having starred in a romantic comedy that holds the record for biggest opening weekend EVER, and her own production company: Type A Film, named after her personality type. So why the fuck don't you like her?

Seriously?

It's the blonde hair, isn't it? Does blonde instantly equal ditzy to you? You know she attended Stanford? You know she is the descendant of John Witherspoon, who signed the Declaration of Independence?

Perhaps the voice? Too chirpy?

The chin? Too prominent?

Of all the actresses working, I've noticed more hatred generated toward this bubbly, bright actress. I can understand not liking people like Nicole Kidman or Renee Zellweger, believe it or not. In fact, just about all my favorite actresses I've noticed people have issues with. However, the only one I can't fathom people not liking is Reese Witherspoon.

Yes, you need to come to the light. You need to fall head over heels in love with Reese, and this is how you're going to do it.

Go to video store or visit Netflix. I even enclosed the link to Netflix to give you a headstart. Once at these places, this is what you're going to get:

1.) Freeway

"..I'm pissed off and the world owes me."

In this comic-thriller, Reese Witherspoon plays her most deplorable character. But compared to the other characters/archetypes presented, she's the anti-hero. Vanessa Lutz is a juvenile delinquent looking to just get to grandmother's house and away from her social worker. Yes, this is a thoroughly modern retelling of "Little Red Riding Hood." On her way, she accepts a ride from the film's Wolf - Keifer Sutherland. Turns out the wolf in this has a thing for underaged girls. What follows is dark, twisted, disturbing and truly funny. If you find these kinds of things funny. For those who think Reese is just a staple of the modern rom-com, this is the film for you. I doubt you'd ever associate with the characters she plays in her blockbusters with this. Vanessa swears, kills, tempts and teases. Put it like this, if Reese played this type of role NOW, it'd be such a stunning change of pace that she'd sweep award season.

2.) Election

"None of this would have happened if Mr. McAllister hadn't meddled the way he did. He should have just accepted things as they are instead of trying to interfere with destiny. You see, you can't interfere with destiny. That's why it's destiny. And if you try to interfere, the same thing's going to happen anyway, and you'll just suffer."

In arguably one of the finest of modern day comedies and Alexander Payne's best film to date (you hear that Sideways lovers?), Witherspoon plays a character that I'd bet her detractors probably confuse her with: an extremely smart, very snooty over achiever with dedication and professionalism. Tracy Flick is dead set on winning the school's student council election. She'll do whatever it takes to get Class President on her college resume. Matthew Broderick's character - Jim McAllister - is out to stop her. Why? He has nothing better to do really. And she annoys him to no end. Neither Broderick nor Witherspoon made it to the Oscars for this film, but thankfully, Witherspoon picked up her first Golden Globe nomination. No matter how you look at Tracy - love her, hate her - Witherspoon doesn't hold anything back. She's completely Tracy, no apologies needed. She's annoying, but fully human. Relate to her no matter how hard you resist.

3.) Legally Blonde

"And last week I saw Cameron Diaz at Fred Segal, and I talked her out of buying this truly heinous angora sweater. Whoever said orange was the new pink was seriously disturbed."

As if I wouldn't. Put Clueless and Erin Brockovich in a blender, and you've got the synopsis for Reese's very first blockbuster, a movie she opened all her own. Earning over $20m it's first weekend and going on to gross just under the magic $100m mark, this summer '01 sleeper was Reese's movie through and through. Yes, I love Jennifer Coolige, too. But it's Reese. Her second Golden Globe nod and first MTV Movie Award were for playing the loveable, cliche busting smart blonde Elle Woods. The movie, more so than many star vehicles, rests firmly on Reese's shoulders and she delivers the goods and then some. Blessed with impeccable comedic time, hilarious yet stylish wardrobe and a worldview of her very own, Elle is the blonde we all wish we knew. Selma Blair provides an icy brunette counterpart and you'll love Elle's retort to Selma's character's costume party prank. Be sure to skip the dismal sequel, a film that seemed to exploit the character far too much. It was as if Elle Woods exploded on the screen and all we saw was pink cotton candy.

There are numerous other benchmarks of the actress, even failures like Vanity Fair offer interesting portrayals. I have not seen her first film Man on the Moon, but I've heard wonderful things about it.

Bottom line: If you don't love her by now, you probably never will. So fuck off.