This delightfully entertaining romantic comedy stars Reese Witherspoon (LEGALLY BLONDE) as sophisticated Melanie Carmichael, a rising New York clothing designer who suddenly finds herself engaged to the city's most eligibl... more »e bachelor. But this is no fairy tale romance for Melanie. She has skeletons in her fashion-filled closet that include Jake -- the backwoods husband she married in high school who refuses to divorce her. Determined to end their marriage and sever all ties with her past once and for all, Melanie returns to Alabama. But home starts to tug at her heartstrings, and what she thought she wanted may not be what she wants at all.« less
Actors:Reese Witherspoon, Josh Lucas, Patrick Dempsey, Candice Bergen, Mary Kay Place Genres:Comedy Sub-Genres:Romantic Comedies Studio:Buena Vista Home Entertainment Format:DVD - Color,Widescreen,Anamorphic - Closed-captioned DVD Release Date: 02/04/2003 Original Release Date: 09/27/2002 Theatrical Release Date: 09/27/2002 Release Year: 2003 Run Time: 1hr 48min Screens: Color,Widescreen,Anamorphic Number of Discs: 1 SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Total Copies: 15 Members Wishing: 0 MPAA Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested) Languages:English
A decent but not great movie. Too bad Reese deepsixed her career.
Sharon F. (Shar) from AVON PARK, FL Reviewed on 2/26/2022...
One of my go-to movies when I need a good laugh and feel-good movie.
0 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Jennifer D. (jennicat) from ST AUGUSTINE, FL Reviewed on 3/29/2014...
Awesome! They cast this movie absoutely correct. In my library!
1 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Joe S. (onejollyjoe) from OZARK, AL Reviewed on 8/17/2013...
Actually I bought this DVD for my wife. She loves it.
1 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Tony C. (elviszappa) Reviewed on 7/18/2012...
I like "Sweet Home Alabama" primarily for the lead actors. Josh Lucas is good, and Reese is always fun to watch.
The story is typical chick flick material that follows the tried and true formula, but could you really expect anything else?
Bottom line: If you like Reese Witherspoon, you really can't go wrong here.
2 of 3 member(s) found this review helpful.
Wayne F. (WWIIpfc) from COLORADO SPGS, CO Reviewed on 2/2/2012...
Enjoyable movie.
1 of 3 member(s) found this review helpful.
Anneke D. from WESTMONT, IL Reviewed on 5/31/2011...
A great movie that I throoughly enjoy every time that I watch it!
2 of 4 member(s) found this review helpful.
Laura E. from CHARLOTTE, NC Reviewed on 1/9/2011...
This movie is definitely "as advertised." It is ridiculous, cheesy, and a total chick flick. It is entertaining and fun, but don't expect any oscar-winning performances. That being said, it's a fantastic movie! It makes you laugh. It warms your heart. It's everything a movie should be - entertaining! This is a movie that you watch with a big bowl of popcorn when you want to turn off your brain and relax on your couch. It's funny and okay for the entire family to watch. Also, it omits the over exaggerated southern accent that so often comes with movies set in the south. Kudos to hiring a southern cast so we don't have to hear New Yorkers fake an accent that sounds more cajun than southern.
3 of 4 member(s) found this review helpful.
Nancy W. from CHARLOTTE, NC Reviewed on 1/2/2011...
Enchanting and very believable. There's fun; romance; lies; humor. Great entertainment and best of all a HAPPY ending!!
1 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Marie B. from ODESSA, FL Reviewed on 9/3/2010...
Great movie!
1 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Movie Reviews
Reese Witherspoon is 'Sweet' in 'Alabama'
joel928m | Chicago | 09/06/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Witherspoon gives another strong, leading performance that proves she can make just about any movie look good. She stars as Melanie, a New York fashion designer whose dream is about come true. She's proposed to by New York's most successful and eligable bachelor, who also happens to be the mayor's son. Before she can say for sure, she quickly travels back home to country-side Alabama, to try and get a divorce out of her high-school sweetheart Jake (Josh Lucas). The film was better than I expected. It was pretty funny and heartwarming, while Reese gives a sweet performance in SWEET HOME ALABAMA. It's kind of a chick-flick, but proved high for a comedy on my standards. If you're in the mood for something light and funny, sweet and entertaining, "Alabama" is worth seeing."
Never forget who you are...
Alvin Tanhehco | Kowloon, Hong Kong | 10/01/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I was a bit hesitant to watch this film at first because romantic-love-triangle-comedies all end the same way. Plus before the movie started, the audience was packed with high school teenagers with their cellphones. (They could litterally fiddle around with them for hours while looking seemingly busy.) But my mom insisted and I obliged. Anyways, the movie turned out to be pretty sweet and heartwarming.Melanie Carmichael (aka Melanie Smooter), played by Reese Witherspoon, is an up-and-coming New York City fashion designer who has just been proposed to by Andrew (Patrick Dempsey), the mayor's son. (Quite an impressive proposal I might add, with the Tiffany store open just for them.) There's only one problem, she's still legally married to Jake (Josh Lucas) in Alabama. That's where the real story begins. Melanie drives back to her hometown and nags Jake to sign the divorce papers. He drags his feet while Melanie gets some time to get reacquainted with his family and friends, whom she left for seven years. She desperately wants to believe that she's a whole new person (with the last-name change and all), and ends up hurting the ones who love her. Does she get her divorce and who will she be with in the end? Ah, for that you'll have to watch the film!I think the more interesting aspect of this film is watching Melanie come to her senses and acknowledge her roots. In New York, she might have had to cover up who she really is to get to where she's at -- changing her last name and fabricating a tall tale about her family. But it was a lie waiting to be exposed. When she goes back to Alabama and brings this pompous personality back with her she is reminded that it won't get her anything but the disappointed looks of her friends and family; the people she left behind.In a nutshell, even though the ending was relatively predictable, the story is poignant enough and had sufficient humorous scenes in it to keep the audience hooked. (I particularly liked it when Melanie realizes that being married to Jake means that they still have a joint account at the local bank.) Also, I think Reese Witherspoon gave a good performance, and it's always nice to see Candice Bergan in a frenzy. This is one of the better romantic comedies I've seen this year.LEAP rating (each out of 5):
============================
L (Language) - 3 (Cute, has its sentimental moments. Never boring.)
E (Erotica) - 0 (n/a)
A (Action) - 0 (n/a)
P (Plot) - 3 (In order to get married, Melanie must get a divorce, but going home and realizing how much she's left behind forces her to reconsider.)"
Maybe You Can Go Home Again!!
Nancy R. Katz | NJ | 10/02/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Sweet Home Alabama, which stars the adorable Reese Witherspoon (Election, Legally Blonde), is a homespun delightful movie. In my opinion, it is a welcome relief to those of us who dislike violent or depressing movies. You actually walk out of the theater humming the song with a wide smile on your face.Melanie played by Reese Witherspoon is a charming fashion designer who is being courted by the son of the Mayor of New York City. Embarking for an evening out, the young couple arrive at Tiffany's where Andrew proposes to Melanie. Trying to keep their engagement a secret, though, is hard to do and suddenly the Mayor, played by Candice Bergen, is planning a wedding for several hundred at The Plaza. Only problem is not only isn't Melanie from a wealthy and old Southern family as she's led others to believe, but she is also still married to her childhood sweetheart Jake played by Josh Lucas (A Beautiful Mind). Now Melanie must return to sweet home Alabama and obtain Jake's signature on the divorce papers which he has stubbornly refused to do all of these years.. What ensues is a down home Southern yarn, complete with a reenactment scene from the Civil War, which leads to sorts of revelations.I really enjoyed this movie. While it was refreshing and humorous, it also offered several warm and tender moments. The cast was well chosen and included some memorable actors. Among them was Candice Bergen, Mary Kay Place as Melanie's mother with Fred Ward as Melanie's father and Jean Smart as Jake's mother. Adding to the enjoyment was the beautifully photographed scenery from Florida and Georgia and a first rate soundtrack which I still can hear several days later. I do recommend you see this movie reminiscent of the great Frank Capra films of the past. And see if you don't find life in Sweet Home Alabama truly sweet."
Sweet Home Alabama
Kelly | Littleton, Colorado | 04/05/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Reese Witherspoon was wonderful as Melanie Carmichael! She plays the displaced southerner very well. Josh Lucas was the perfect counterpart portraying the southern hick. They have known and loved each other since they were kids, but of course life interferes, and that is where this movie starts. The town and residents are a typical stereotype, but it doesn't even matter because the film was that good. The writing and supporting cast are priceless. I do have to give special mention to Candice Bergen. She is at her best when she plays those dry roles.
"
Reese Gives Us Another Helping Of Her Charm
c_e_l_e_b_r_i_t_y | usa | 10/05/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"With any other actress as the lead in this movie, I don't think it would be as nearly as enjoyable as it is. Reese gives us an irresistible charm that usually brightens up any movie that she's in and makes it better than it usually is. The same can be said for Sweet Home Alabama. A movie which is so predictable, you can almost utter each line yourself before the characters get them out of their honky tonk mouths. However, something can be said about predictability and in times like these, I think it's great to have a movie come out that you know you can fall in love with. Sweet Home Alabama is a perfect fit. Reese plays Melanie, a very succesful fashion designer who's left behind her hillbilly home. Living the glamorous life, she ends up falling for the mayor's son played by Patrick Dempsey, a handsome and rich man who happens to honestly adore her. Just when she thinks he couldn't get any more perfect, he proposes to her at Tiffany's. Just one problem ... she's keeping a big secret from him - she's already married. That's when our main character decides to go back to her hometown to get a divorce from her stubborn ex named Jake played by newcomer Josh Lucas. In typical romantic comedy fashion, Melanie and Jake get on eachother's nerves to the point that they wanna either strangle eachother or fall in love all over again. I don't wanna give to much away, but Melanie basically has to decide between her childhood sweetheart and the new prince in her life that wants to sweep her off her feet. It's predictable and very hokey, but you can't help but fall in love with this movie. One of my favorite scenes is when Melanie visits her old dog at a pet semetary and opens up about why she had to leave the animal behind. Its heartbreaking and very touching. Reese won't win any oscars for her portrayal as a confused small town girl, but she sure will win your heart."