PG13
Stars: Reese Witherspoon, Josh Lucas, Patrick Dempsey, Candace Bergen, Mary Kay Place, Fred Ward
Director: Andy Tennant
Screenwriter: C. Jay Cox, based on a story by Douglas J. Eboch
This film cruises on the enormous charms of its three stars: Reese Witherspoon, Josh Lucas and Patrick Dempsey. It’s a pleasant little tale of a young woman, Melanie Carmichael (Witherspoon), who fled her Alabama “white trash” upbringing and “redneck” husband to reinvent herself in New York as a fashion designer.
Her past has long been forgotten until she finds herself moving up in society and on the verge of marrying the mayor’s handsome and dashing son Andrew (Patrick Dempsey). She’s now forced to return to her humble beginnings to tell her parents (Fred Ward and Mary Kay Place) and legally divorce, Jake, the husband (Josh Lucas) she left behind.
But things aren’t quite so easy. The trip awakens some fond memories and ultimately she must choose between her new life and the old one.
Lotta says: Josh Lucas’ smile could melt any girl’s heart and turn her around from whichever direction she thinks she’s going. I loved Patrick Dempsey here. He fit the part nicely and his character was given great respect by the writer who never had to resort to making him the bad guy so Melanie would have an easier time in choosing. There are some cute “Southern” moments – like the Civil War reenactments. Candice Bergen plays Andrew’s mother and NYC mayor Kate to good effect. Otherwise, Sweet Home Alamama plays like the same old war: the one between the classes and the North vs. the South – we’ve seen it before. Also stars: Jean Smart as Jake mom Stella Kay and Ethan Embry as Bobby Ray.