Sweet Home Alabama
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Movie Reviews of Sweet Home Alabama
Movie Review: How Sweet It Is---Sweet Home Alabama
Summary: 5 Stars
Having been born and raised in Alabama, I was anxious to see this one and be sure Hollywood didn't paint us as the barefoot rednecks they usually do. They did and they didn't, but it was pretty realistic and heart-warming. Afer all, this is the family-oriented state where real men drink a cool one instead of a martini, coon dogs are named after Bear Bryant, and a pickup truck is more in demand than a BMW. Reese Witherspoon is Melanie Carmichael, the Bama belle that "escapes" to New York and carves out a glamorous career in fashion design for herself while capturing the heart of the mayor's son. One small problem prevents her from accepting his marriage proposal---she never actually got a divorce from her high school sweetheart. So she plans a quick trip to Sweet Home Alabama to get the divorce and high-tail it back to the Big Apple. But once she's back home, things happen and Melanie doesn't seem to be able to leave.
This is an entertaining romantic comedy that proves to be more than a chick flick. There were many men in the audience (including my husband) and they seemed to be enjoying it as much as we were. In fact, at the showing I attended, people stood and danced when the band played the title song, but then this is Sweet Home Alabama where line dancing in the aisles at the movies is Ok when they're playing the state's anthem.
In addition to Reese Witherspoon who is adorable as always, there are lots of familiar faces in this one. Josh Lucas, who was Russell Crowe's nemesis in "A Beautiful Mind," plays her husband while Patrick Dempsey is perfect as the sophisticated New Yorker in love with her. Kudos to Jean Smart and Mary Kay Place as the Southern mothers while Candace Bergen plays the Mayor of New York to such perfection that her character was booed (good-naturedly, of course) by the audience on several occasions.
I doubt this movie will win any Oscars or change anyone's life, but it will make you remember how good home can feel and that it is so often the people we loved first that we love most.
Movie Review: Who Does Melanie Really Love ?
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a wonderful, heartwarming romantic comedy with truly funny one liners interspersed with tender moments. It is well acted by a first rate cast.Reese Witherspoon is Melanie Carmichael, a New York fashion designer who appears to be on top of the world when she receives rave reviews for her new clothing line and the becomes engaged to Andrew (Patrick Dempsey), HUD secretary and son of the Mayor of NYC (Candice Bergen). Only one small problem looms on the horizon - her past - including a teenage marriage to Jake (Josh Lucas), from whom she has never been divorced due to his refusal to sign the final decree. Thus, a trip back home to Alabama ensues in an effort to clear things up before Andrew and Murphy Brown, I mean Candice Bergen acting to comic perfection as she did in that role, dredge up the truth and she loses her chance at happiness in the big city.
Needless to say, things don't quite go according to plan. Jake isn't ready to let go of his childhood sweetheart, and she starts to renew some old high school friendships after her seven year absence. This is not just a fluffy vehicle for Reese Witherspoon's talents; as the story of the past unfolds the movie even touches on such issues as high school pregnancies, the outing of a gay friend, the role that the history of the Confederacy still plays in the Deep South and parents fulfilling their dreams through the achievements of their children.
In addition to the previously mentioned actors and actresses, Fred Ward and Mary Kay Place as Melanie's parents and Jean Smart as Jake's mom add both depth and humor to the movie. And perhaps best of all the country music soundtrack complements the action and Bryan the bloodhound almost steals the show for us dog lovers who only wish that the crucial role he plays was a little more extensive.
In the end, this movie keeps you both laughing and guessing while affirmatively answering Jake's question to Melanie about whether we can have both roots and wings.
Movie Review: Maybe You Can Go Home Again!!
Summary: 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.
Movie Review: Sweet Sweet Alabama
Summary: 5 Stars
Movie: Sweet Home Alabama
Producer: Motion Picture
Date Released: February 4, 2003
Length: 1 hour and 48 minutes
Rating: PG 13
This delightful, entertaining, romantic, comedy stars Reese Witherspoon playing sophisticated Melanie Carmichael, a New York clothing designer who's stuck in the middle with a husband , Jake, who refuses to divorce her and a fiancée, Andrew. Now it's up to Melanie, go back to Alabama with Jake or stay in New York with Andrew and get married. If you want to know more I guess you'll have to see it for yourself. Sweet Home Alabama.
The most important reason I think this movie is so great is because when Melanie and Jake are fighting in the kitchen you just feel like your there arguing along with them. The actors and actresses make you feel like your there too.
Also I think Sweet Home Alabama is a great movie because it is so fascinating what Melanie is going to do next. This movie will just keep your eyes glued to that television until Jake speaks his last words. Watch it and see, you're not being fooled!
Another thing I love about this movie is you will keep saying in your head "What is going to happen next? What is going to happen next?" You might not know it but inside your mind you want to know everything. You are not about to wait another minute to see this movie. New York Times gives it a Four out of Four, it's that great!
Well you know this isn't the whole story of Sweet Home Alabama but if you really want to know if Melanie stays with Jake or goes with Andrew, Don't be coming to me for the details. See it for yourself. Remember..."Sometimes what you're looking for is right where you left it!"
Movie Review: Reese Witherspoon at her best
Summary: 5 Stars
This romantic comedy perfectly suits Reese Witherspoon's style. In this film she plays Melanie Carmichael, an up and coming fashion designer who is about to marry Andrew, a politician and son of the New York mayor. What she hasn't told her future husband is that she hasn't actually divorced her previous spouse and she isn't really from a rich southern family.
Cue the comedy as Mel returns to the small town in Alabama in order to get her ex to sign divorce papers. No longer part of the small community she left, the community that knew her as 'Felony Melanie', Mel finds herself somewhat out on a limb. She no longer has anything in common with her old friends and her conversations come across as snippy and snobbish.
The main story revolves around the relationship between Mel and her ex and there are some real laugh alound moments between the two. Mels ex refuses to sign the papers while an increasingly frantic Mel is trying to keep her wedding on schedule. Things can only get worse when her fiance Andrew decides to turn up.
As well as being a comedy this film also has some very poignant moments as Mel has to evaluate the person she has become and whether she in fact likes that person. This is a heart-warming and funny tale...not just a 'chick flick'. There are not a huge amount of extras on the DVD (region 2) but the disc is reasonable enough priced to overlook that. The quality of picture and sound is certainly good enough.