User reviews

"Sweet Home Alabama" conceived as a simple "star vehicle" for Reese Witherspoon is advertised as a "romantic comedy". It's is quite formulaic, and surely no one entering the theater (or renting the video or DVD)has any doubt as to with whom Reese's Melanie Charmichael (Smooter) will end up with when the closing credits start to roll.

Herein lies the basic fault, however, with this interpretation of a tried and true plotline: by the end of the film it seems apparent that both of the two men in Melanie's life would be far better off without her. After accepting a proposal of marriage by the handsome and ambitious son of the May of New York City, Melanie proceeds back home to Alabama to finalize her divorce from her high school (and childhood) sweetheart, whom she abandoned seven years before, but has refused to sign the divorce papers. Upon returning to her modest roots (at variance with the more gentile upbringing she has led her New York friends and followers to believe) she insults her parents and old friends, becomes drunk (and mean) and vomits into her former husband's truck; let the hilarity ensue! In the meantime, in the part of the movie where the new fiancee is supposed to be revealed as boorish, vain and superficial, quite the opposite occurs, and the viewer is left with a very sympathetic view of the upperclass New York society man, who truly loves Melanie, and forgives her untruthfulness. Melanie's former husband, having set out to win Melanie back by making a success of himself in the intervening years discovers her to be the shallow superficial snob of the movie. Why then, would he want her back? Why did Melanie make up the story of a plantation upbringing anyway? She's just a conniving, lying, scheming, mean drunk.Where is the romance? Where is the comedy? Certainly not in Alabama.

I found Sweet Home Alabama to be a very sweet romantic comedy, Reese Witherspoon was just so adorable in this film. I wanted to see Sweet Home Alabama because I love Reese and remember hearing so much about it when it was released. So, of course, I figured now would be a good time to rent it and find out what this movie was about. Over all, I'd say it was a bit over rated(everyone I knew who saw this movie loved it), but still a watchable romantic comedy.

Sweet Home Alabama is about a girl, Melanie, she is about to marry the mayor of New York city's son. But she has a bit of a bumpy past in the south where her family and old friends are, she's still married to Jake, her high school sweetheart. Without trying to bring up her embarrassing past to her fiancée, she has to get things done and settled with everyone, including her husband. But she slowly discovers how much she missed her true home and how much of a wonderful guy that Jake is.

A bit predictable and silly, but over all I would recommend Sweet Home Alabama for a lite comedy that most could enjoy. Like I said, it's not that big of a deal, but I love Reese Witherspoon personally, so you might disagree, but then again, how will you know if you don't give the movie a shot? So, sit back and just have fun!

6/10

I cannot envision anyone but Reese Witherspoon as Melanie, a snooty-but-lovable up-and-coming New York City fashion designer from Alabama who receives a marriage proposal from the prominent, well-bred son of the mayor of New York. Of course, this means that she must go back to the small town where she was raised to demand a divorce from Jake (Josh Lucas) - seven years after walking out on him.

Aside from being a love story, this film shows us that you cannot escape your past, no matter how hard you try. Everywhere she turns Reese's character is beset by the people and events of her youth. Old friends seem almost compelled to reminisce about their youthful escapades. She just cannot seem to get away from it. You really get a sense of how she must feel when you see her in the honky-tonk bar, surrounded by rednecks with no visible exit.

Witherspoon is right at home in the role as a smart, sassy young woman ala 'Legally Blonde'. However the real star of the show is Josh Lucas. His expressive face lends an authenticity to Jake that transcends the stereotypical former football star and produces a charismatic, likable guy who just wants to win back his girl. But if it is stereotypes that you want, they are there to be found. Most prominent is the mother of Reese's fiancé, played by Candice Bergen. She is one tough politician who is as cold as ice and predictably obsessed with her public image. Others include the independent, feminist girlfriend, the redneck buddies and a gay fashion designer.

Director Andy Tennant also likes to deal with some classic historical and societal conflicts in this movie, such as the North versus the South. In addition to numerous Yankee/redneck jokes, Witherspoon's dad (Fred Ward) is involved in the regular reenactment of a Civil War battle. Tennant also seems to be a fan of love's ability to prevail in the face of these conflicts. His film 'Ever After' has a similar theme – it deals with the struggle between nobility and commoner during medieval times. Specifically, it is about a Prince who falls in love with a peasant girl. Despite the odds, their love overcomes this obstacle.

If you like romantic comedies, you should like this film. Despite its flaws this movie is upbeat, entertaining and it comes with a lesson about the futility of trying to escape your past that might prove invaluable to some audience members.

Ever hear of the story of crying "wolf?" Most of the extra forceful reviews of "Sweet Home Alabama" are the professional and amateur reviewers that try to tell us, "stay away, this is a waste of your time, do not see it." Bull-dinkey! They are just crying "wolf" for some unknown reason. This is a fine, funny movie that relies more on an ensemble cast than just on Reese Witherspoon. The writing is smart and funny, the directing fits the comedic mood of the story, and the acting is just right. Although it is a quite different film from "Legally Blonde" and "Election", I enjoyed it just as much, and will enjoy it upon repeat viewings.

no SPOILERS here...

Critic Ebert has a good summary of the story so I won't repeat any of it here. For those who may see the film and wonder how much the small town life is exaggerated, let me tell you "not much!" I grew up in a very small southern town, and I go back on occasions for high school reunions. What is depicted in this film is pretty darned close to reality, with some license taken for making the story a bit more interesting. Pay special attention to the story with the cat, and its burned tail, and watch closely at the end. :-)

The DVD is fine but the picture is not "reference" quality. The sound is Dolby 5.1 but surround channels are not very dynamic. The "extras" has several deleted scenes, and also includes the original ending that was scrapped after comments from test screenings. They had to re-shoot and I think the eventual ending is very appropriate. The first and last scenes complement each other very well.

"Sweet Home Alabama" - a fine movie for those who enjoy a good comedy, and especially those who like Reese Witherspoon.

Look, we all know that Sweet Home Alabama is just a Hallmark movie dressed up in a fancy skirt, but there's still something special about this romantic comedy that helps it stand apart from the rest. It could be Reese Witherspoon, who plays her part of Melanie, the Yankee-fied southern belle, perfectly. It could be Josh Lucas (Jake), who is a fantastic foil to Witherspoon's character. And it could also be Patrick Dempsey (Andrew), who is actually a good alternative to Jake and not a one-dimensional antagonist. This film is not without its flaws, but I always have a good ol' time whenever I watch it.

I am glad I didn't listen to critics and watched this movie! It is a very good movie with charm, humor, sadness and most of all, genial acting! Reese Witherspoon and Josh Lucas are the two characters that you can relate to. Especially the dog part is very fun. I think what makes this movie good is that it is a story you can relate to, but made with humor. Yet there are a part sadness in the story.

It begins with that Melanie is asked by the son of the mayor if she wants to marry him. Then she says yes, but she has things to make up and decides to go down to her hometown in Alabama to get a divorce from her husband who she hasn't met for years, not after she lost her child and he was drunk on their wedding.

The concept and plot is very smart, when the tone is told with humour even in situations that are serious. In fact, if the movie hadn't humor, it had been falling apart. The humor is lifting the story to a little more than just good. It is so fun, so full of genial and amusing characters, excellent acting and an excellent ending. Maybe a movie that mostly girls like to watch, but anyway a good movie.

It's pretty easy to see where the storyline is going from the outset but it remains an enjoyable story with plenty of smiling throughout and entertaining moments. An easy going film which I've been able to watch a few times now and still enjoy, so it must be doing something right!

I was surprised to find the rating when I first checked it out, but I suppose it's a matter of personal experience and the taste that goes with it. I like to be reminded of my own personal experience (which is similar) and compare it to what the main character goes through in the movie. I suppose you'll like it if it means something to you, so if you've got issues with your past (relationships, particularly) and you like happy endings, give this film a shot. There's a bit of stereotyping in the film though, but they're presented humorously, so I didn't really mind. Besides, they aren't very damaging stereotypes (at least in my view), nor very annoying ones.

Where do i start with this movie? Fantastic, had me hooked from the start, they were on to a winner as soon as they cast Dakota Fanning as 'young' Melanie. Now i'm a sucker for good 'chick Flicks' and this one tops my list, Reese shines as Melanie, the girl who realises that what she's been looking for was right there at home waiting for her. Josh Lucas makes a fabulous performance as Jake, her estranged high school Hubby who's never got her out of his mind. If you are in the mood for a good old fashioned romance with some great country thrown in then this is the one for you, i've lost count how many times i have seen this now and i'll never tire of it. Even if this isn't your kind of film i challenge you to watch it and not feel good, practically impossible.

Reese Witherspoon (as stubborn, sassy lapsed southern belle Mel) could play this role in her sleep, and essentially she plays Reese Witherspoon, which is OK if you like her. At least she's intelligent, and not a bimbo. To me, the star of the film is Josh Lucas, as her estranged husband Jake, who stayed in Alabama years ago while she left to forge a corporate career. Mel is about to marry her handsome Yankie beau Andrew (Patrick Dempsey), but she returns home to ask Jake for a divorce. Cue lots of rather insulting cliches about southerners: they drink a lot, they're hillbillies, they're uneducated, they have kids very young, etc, etc, etc. Plus about five renditions of the rock hit Sweet Home Alabama, which admittedly is still a great song. Jake, however, comes across as very smart, and he's portrayed as genuinely puzzled about why Mel left, and what she expects of him. The couple really do have stuff to work through - haven't they heard of couples therapy? But it's believable, the way it's written. And he and Witherspoon have great chemistry. The supporting cast including Candice Bergen - as Andrew's very stubborn and sassy (and snobby) mother, who's mayor of New York - are good. There's some nice scenes, such as showing Mel's father's Civil War re-enactment group. There is no doubt, whatsoever, how this film is going to end, and did they really need the other stock rom-com staples - the gay friend and the cute dog? But if you're stuck inside on a rainy day, it's a good way to pass the time.

Reese Witherspoon terrific heartfelt performance makes this movie work. I originally had my doubts about seeing this one but I bought the DVD and I highly enjoyed the movie. Reese Witherspoon has good chemistry with both Patrick Dempsey and Josh Lucas. The film although predictable is full of funny moments and a lot of heart.

Together with Elle Woods in the Legally Blonde movies Reese Witherspoon got her career role in Sweet Home Alabama, This one must have been real popular in the red states.

Witherspoon is a highly successful and up and coming close designer in New York and she's just gotten rather publicly engaged to Patrick Dempsey whose character is no doubt based on JFK, Jr. It's a dream come true, but there's one small hitch in the design. Seems like she never quite got around to divorcing her good old boy husband from her hometown.

So it's back to Alabama to get Josh Lucas to sign the decree. But he's not willing at least not yet. And while she's now Ms. New York sophisticate it doesn't take long for Witherspoon let's the Alabama flow in her.

This is a most old fashioned type of film and I'm not surprised that Buena Vista the distribution arm of Walt Disney films brought this one out. Witherspoon is winning and wonderful and Alabama has it's best foot forward in this film.

Candice Bergen is in this film as Dempsey's mother who is the Mayor of New York and she's clearly modeled on a most unflattering portrait of Hillary Clinton. She should have gotten some Oscar recognition for her work here.

A nice score of country music is part of the soundtrack. Sweet Home Alabama is a winner for Reese Witherspoon and the audience.

Sweet Home Alabama is a rom-com that stands the test of time. It's one of Reese Witherspoon's most endearing (yet sassy) roles, and it's Josh Lucas in his prime rom-com hero days. Which I guess didn't last all that long, but still, this is the movie that introduced many to him. The chemistry between these two is great and the witty banter and arguing is quite fun. While all in all, it's a silly movie not to be taken too seriously, it does have some shining moments where more serious themes factor in: divorce, loss, homosexuality, identity, roots, family loyalty, and acceptance. Pre-Greys Anatomy Patrick Dempsey is funny is it as the third point in the love triangle.

Everyone is taking this movie too seriously. It's my favorite chick flick movie. There is no violence, except when she hits the mayor, no drugs, sex and only a little bit of questionable language. And some of the accents are accurate, at least the ones from the people I know from Alabama. Plus, it's a MOVIE. It's so funny! I'm from NJ and I don't think it portrays the South in a bad light. It's not meant to be a serious movie, just something to make you laugh go awwwww. If anything it portrays New York as a crowded dirty place...and it is..but not everyone in New York is rude...um OK, maybe I take that one back. Anyway don't criticize it, it's just a romantic comedy and how many of them are actually worth watching??? Go Ethan Embry and Josh Lucas!!!

I was born in Boston, Massachusetts, but grew up in South Carolina. Being able to call myself both a New Englander and Southerner, I believe Sweet Home Alabama did a good job portraying the settings of the north and south during the movie. A setting of a film is the time, location, and everything else that makes up the backdrop and mood. The movie was released in September 2002, making the movie set in early 2000s. In Sweet Home Alabama there are two main settings: New York City, New York and in the town of Pigeon Creek, Alabama. Since Pigeon Creek is not a real town, most of the scenes where shot in Georgia. The movie does a respectable job of representing both moods of these two different places.

The movie starts with Melanie Carmichael (Reese Witherspoon) living in New York City following her dream of being a big fashion designer. You can tell even from her just being in the studio that New York has a rushed mood. People are scrambling around trying to get every last detail perfect before they send the clothes down the runway. The busy life of a New Yorker is again portrayed during the fashion show when people are running around backstage. People are going crazy because either the color is not the right shade or some of the clothes do not fit properly. Melanie during this time is calm and fixes the problems without really breaking her composure. This type of behavior is not seen often in big cities, definitely a southern trait she learned from growing up. It seems like no one has time to stop and think. That is exactly how living in a city up North is like especially New York City. It is fast pace and no one slows down because they always have something to do and somewhere to be. The way these people act makes up the mood of New York as well. The movie portrays New Yorkers as being cold and fast-talking. During the movie Andrew's mom, the mayor of New York City is asked a question regarding how she feels that some people do not agree with her position on repaving a road. She tells the reporter that they should drive down the road and they hopefully will fall in a pothole. That is the stereotypically personality of a New Yorker, tough and stubborn. I believe the movie did a fantastic job representing the big city, making the viewer feel so small compared to it.

When the setting switches over to Pigeon Creek, Alabama, the mood changes also. Everything feels more peaceful and calmer. When she goes home to see her parents they are so happy to see her and make her feel welcomed even though they have not seen each other in many years. When Melanie walks down the street while going to the bank, the people walking around are taking their time and stop to say hello to their friends. Everyone in this town is friendly for the most part. Even though Melanie left to go and pursue her dreams, they welcome her back with open arms. From the scenes of the town people in the bar and carnival, the viewer can tell that these people are close, almost like family. They shared many memories together growing up binding them together. Even the way the writers make the towns people is on point to how most southerners are. They talk slower and are more respectable to others. Even Jake says, " Honey, just cuz I talk slow doesn't mean I'm stupid"(Sweet Home Alabama). That shows that is just the way they were raised. The movie also shows how much they love their history. The American civil war was a significant event in Alabama's history. They join the rest of the southern states to create the confederate army and went to war against the northern. Actually no battles were brought to Alabama until 1863, two years after the beginning of the war. The most notable battle in Alabama was the battle of Mobile Bay fought in 1864. This was a victory for the union combining both naval and land attacks (Friend). Even though the confederate army lost the war in the end, the people of Alabama come to identify themselves as southerners, not just Americans. There love for their past is shown at the end of the movie when Melanie's father dresses up in a confederate uniform to reenact one of the battles fought during the war. Sweet Home Alabama did an excellent job making the viewer feel at home when they are in Pigeon Creek.

Sweet Home Alabama not only did an amazing job with the setting and they also were successful in choosing the people to play the characters. Melanie Carmichael was played by Reese Witherspoon who herself was born in New Orleans, Louisiana (Reese Witherspoon). Her southern charm came out during this role, which made her performance even better. Josh Lucas who plays Jake also has the southern roots to help him with the role. Patrick Dempsey as Andrew had the northern character on point since he too was born in the New England area. The casting director did an outstanding job finding the actors to bring these characters to life. Overall, this was a very good movie and I would recommend it to any of my friends.

"Sweet Home Alabama" is about a young woman, Melanie Carmichael (Reese Witherspoon), who is learning who she is. She must choice between her new life in New York City and the one she left behind in Pigeon Creek, Alabama. The theme of the film is that you can't be two different people; you have to be who you are. You have to face your life and your past and not pretend that you are someone you're not.

The city versus country motif is brought to life throughout the entire film in such actions as a civil war re-enactment, shooting anvils across the plantation yard, and a diverse, yet, predictable group of characters residing in Melanie's hometown. This is far from her world in New York City where she is a fashion designer, engaged to the mayor's son, Andrew Hennings (Patrick Dempsey), and lives life in the fast lane.

The city versus country conflict begins when Melanie returns home to finalize her divorce from her lovable, redneck husband Jake Perry (Josh Lucas). The laughs continue when, much to Mayor Kate Hennings (Candice Bergen) dismay, Melanie and Andrew decide to have their wedding in Alabama. Mayor Hennings is a stiff, conservative ice queen. This makes the first meeting of the happy couples' parents, Mayor Hennings and Pearl and Earl Smooter (Mary Kay Place and Fred Ward), incredibly predictable, yet, still hilarious when you see it play out.

As she was in "Legally Blonde" and "Just Like Heaven", Witherspoon is sweet, smart, and sassy. She pulls you into the film, and you want to see her happy. She has great chemistry with both Jake and Andrew, which makes it difficult for viewers to decide which she should be with. Melanie, herself, can't decide who is for her until she decides who she is.

Director Andy Tennant masterfully uses music to contribute to the theme. With the use of songs such as "Sweet Home Alabama," "What This World Needs Is a Few More Rednecks," and "Marry Me," he transports you into the south. This music prompts you to root for the south and the southern girl who has just returned home. Tennant, also, impressively did not over use the song "Sweet Home Alabama." He used the song only in the situations were it would make the largest impact.

Tennant shows in "Sweet Home Alabama", as he did in "Ever After", that love just happens and we can't control love any more than we can control who we really are. In "Sweet Home Alabama", all of Melanie's problems seem to stem from the fact that she cannot face who she really is. Her father sum's up the theme of the movie in one statement, "You can't ride two horses with one ass, sugar bean."

"Sweet Home Alabama" was a nice pleasant romantic comedy. What made this film I think was the performance of Resse Witherspoon, her character starts off unlikeable, but in the latter half of the film we see a change of heart to her being more sympathetic. Witherspoon played her very convincingly, being her usual likable self, and she is amiably supported by Patrick Dempsey, Candice Bergen and Josh Lucas. There is also a nice soundtrack, good direction, beautiful scenery and good cinematography. While essentially a pleasant film, the film is let down by some sluggish pacing and a slow and sometimes predictable story that meanders at the end. Also one or two characters are a little clichéd. In conclusion, this is not perfect by all means but it is worth watching and pleasant. 6/10 Bethany Cox