Despite negative critical response, Sweet Home Alabama was a major commercial hit, grossing over 120 million at the box office, and reaffirming the status of Reese Witherspoon as a major bankable star.
.In this tale, formulaically written by C. Jay Cox, and passably directed by Andy Tennant, Withespoon plays New York fashion designer Melanie Carmichael, who is engaged to the city’s most eligible bachelor (Patrick Demsey). But does she really love him? And is she really ready for marriage?
But Melanie is still a fish out of water in the urban milieu, still drawn to her past, which holds many allures and secrets, including Jake (Josh Lucas), the redneck husband she had married in high school, who now refuses to divorce her.
Determined to end their contentious relationship, Melanie sneaks back home to Alabama to confront her past, only to discover that she is still attracted to him and to the Southern lifestyle.
The movie—which belongs to the subgenre of the comedy of remarriage—is utterly predictable in its outcome, but it’s intermittently enjoyable due to the charisma of Witherspoon—and the popularity of the iconic title song.
MPAA: PG 13
Release: September 27, 2002
Running time: 108 Minutes
Buena Vista Distribution
