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In Sweet Home Alabama, Reese Witherspoon plays Melanie Carmichael, a young New York fashion designer whose new boyfriend, Andrew, played by Patrick Dempsey, proposes. First, she must go home and face her friends and family — including a long forgotten husband, Jake, played by Josh Lucas. Candice Bergen also stars as Andrew’s mother, Kate — who also happens to be the mayor of New York. Kate has grand designs for her son and does not approve of his marrying Melanie. Bergen’s performance is over the top, which makes it all that much more hilarious.
This movie was given fair reviews when it came out. Nobody liked it a lot, and nobody hated it a lot, either. I think the critics are expecting way too much. This is one of those movies designed to specifically showcase a star. Reese Witherspoon carries this movie, and I think she puts on an excellent performance.
There was also a lot of copy given to the negative southern stereotypes and the small-town people of Alabama. This may be true, but this is not the genre of movie to be an advocate for a progressive South — or anything else, for that matter. People like romantic comedies for their happy ending — not their setting and background. Focusing on anything other than the main plotline — in this case, Melanie and her choice between Andrew and Jake — is to put too much thought into the movie.
I also thought that this movie was okay,. I’ve seen better romantic comedies, but I’ve also seen worse. I’m a little biased, though, since I’m a big fan of Reese Witherspoon. I was a little disappointed not to hear Lynyrd Skynyrd do a performance of “Sweet Home Alabama” — it was performed by Jewel instead.
If you’re in the mood for a light movie, in which everything works out in the end — and that doesn’t require too much thinking — this is a good one to try.
