Sweet Home Alabama (DVD, 2003)

Reese Witherspoon stars in SWEET HOME ALABAMA, a charming romantic comedy directed by Andy Tennant. Witherspoon is Melanie Carmichael, a Southern girl who leaves her past behind in order to find success as a fashion designer in New York City. On the night of a hugely important show, her charming and romantic boyfriend, Andrew (Patrick Dempsey), proposes to her. It is at that point that Melanie flees for Alabama, hoping to take care of some unfinished business before Andrew and his mother, New York mayor Kate Hennings (Candice Bergan), discover the truth about her. The truth is that Melanie, whose real last name is Smooter, is still married to her childhood sweetheart, Jake (Josh Lucas), who refuses to grant her a divorce. As Melanie reunites with her parents and old friends, she is forced to reevaluate her new-and-improved self. In the process, she rediscovers a love that she thought she had lost. Tennant's film is elevated by Witherspoon's mere presence. Her rare blend of intelligence, wit, and beauty are a wonder to behold. Adding to the charm are Lucas and Dempsey, who portray characters who are hard to root against.

I love this movie. Reese Witherspoon plays the role of Melanie Carmichael, a New York fashion designer, who is to marry a rich man Andrew (Patrick Dempsey)but she learns she is still married to her childhood sweetheart Jake (Josh Lucas). Jake refuses to sign the divorce papers and the real fun begins. It is a great movie and has a great ending to it. It is a great movie to watch more than once!

Great movie, saw it in the theatre when it came out. It's the first movie that I had ever seen Joshua Lucas in, his blue eyes, and shirtless scenes are enough to make a girl sigh with pleasure. It also re-introduces us to Patrick Dempsey, only some of us are old enough to remember him from such 80's hits as "Can't Buy Me love", (still playing on cable, and still a classic). This is a story about a woman torn between her first love (and husband) and her sophisticated fiance played by Dempsey. Dempsey's character is reminiscent of John F Kennedy Jr. As a woman you think this woman just can't go wrong with whomever she chooses, that's what's nice about this movie. There are no bad guys. The supporting actors are funny in their sweet red-neck ways. When she heads home for a weekend, she is confronted with making an important decision, and finding that home IS where your heart is.It's got a great soundtrack, the movie moves along great, and before you know it, the movie is over, and you just want to watch it again. Andy Tennant is a genius at making you fall in love with these characters. I love the scene where Reese's character runs in to her old friend LurLynn, played by Melanie Lynskey (Two and a Half Men, Ever After)in a bar, she has her new baby, and Melanie says, "You have a baby! In a bar", and LurLynn replies "this one's on the tit, so I can cart him anywhere". Rated PG13, for language, with no suggestion of sex.

Reese Witherspoon is great in this movie. I love her character Melanie - a small town girl goes to New York and becomes a fashion designer, when her new boyfriend of 8 months (the Mayor of New York's son) ask her for her hand in marriage, Melanie finds herself in fix. Sweet Home Alabama is a down-to-earth movie with lots of twists and turns. Humor, Love, and a feel of the deep South in this fun movie.

Sweet Home Alabama isn't your usual romantic comedy. The characters lives are more detailed and that back story makes you genuinely care about what is going on in the story. Reese Witherspoon really delivers in this movie. So does Candace Bergen--as the mayor you love to hate.