Sweet Home Alabama came to my attention one day while cleaning house. You see, when I clean house I usually turn my television to one of the country music video stations. If anything else is on, there is the tendency to sit down and forget the dust balls and dirty clothes. This particular day I heard a song playing that I had heard frequently and liked very much, but had never seen the video. It was "Mine All Mine" by SheDaisy. So the mopping stopped so that I could check it out. The video captivated me with scenes from what appeared to be a very romantic movie. It was a must-see! Immediately (the mop was glad to take a break) the computer came on...I just had to discover the name of this movie. It was, of course, Sweet Home Alabama. Visions of Forrest Gump and Jenny dancing in the living room came to my head. This song had to be a sign of another wonderful love story. From the home-page of SheDaisy, where I learned the name of this movie, it was straight to Amazon. The movie wasn't due for release on video for several weeks, but I ordered anyway, anticipating the delight and wonder of another tearjerker. It finally came the first week of February! The buttons on my DVD player flew fast and furious...the microwave popcorn was nice and hot...the full box of Kleenex sat by my side...oh, the excitement! A while later, the untouched Kleenex were put back on the shelf.

The Plot Melanie Carmichael (Reese Witherspoon) has found the man of her dreams, Andrew Hennings (Patrick Dempsey). Seven years previously she had left her home in Alabama to pursue a new life. She is now living in New York and has become an upcoming fashion designer. Andrew is the son of the Mayor of New York, "Kate" Hennings (Candace Bergen). Andrew proposes to Melanie in grandest fashion, with a private display of engagement rings at Tiffanys. Overcome with emotion, Melanie accepts his proposal. She does, however, have a bit of unfinished business back in Alabama. That being, to procure a divorce from her childhood sweetheart and husband, Jake Perry (Josh Lucas).

Upon arriving in Alabama, Melanie goes immediately to Jakes' home. He does not recognize her until she demands that he sign the divorce papers. After a verbal battle, Jake makes it clear that her goal will not be met easily. In an attempt to remove her from the premises, Jake calls the local sheriff, Wade, who also happens to be one of their childhood friends. Wade laughingly refers to Melanie as "Felony Melanie" upon arriving. He must arrest her, though, as Jake reminds him of an outstanding warrant for the person that dumped your Grandmas' tractor into the fish pond many years before...and points to Melanie. As the story progresses, we find that Melanie has had her share of wild times. A poor particular cat with a scorched tail, a bombed bank and a Postmans' pond full of stolen minnows, just to name a few.

The story moves on to Melanies' reunion with her parents, Pearl and Earl Smooter, (Mary Kay Place, Fred Ward) when Melanie must call them to release her from jail. Earl brings Melanie home to the open arms of her Mom. He also introduces her to his wonderful recliner...a cute scene. The next day Melanie must go into town. She runs into several old acquaintances, such as Dorothea (Mary Lynn Rajskub), the bank teller, who just happens to mention that Melanie and Jake still have a joint checking account. Needless to say, Melanie clears out the account, eventually informing Jake that she will return the money once he has signed the divorce papers.

One of the few storylines in Sweet Home Alabama that catches your attention is that of "cousin" Bobby Ray (Ethan Embry). Bobby Ray stands by Melanie even though she, while drunk, blatantly reveals his sexual preferences in a barroom scene. The next day, she visits him at the Carmichael Plantation, where he and his "Grandfather", Colonel Murphy, blast the premises with cannonballs. Bobby Ray tells Melanie that "we weren't aiming for ya, but I doubt I would've come to your funeral". Her revelation to his friends hurt him, but he wouldn't hurt her back. He even goes as far as to protect Melanie when a "reporter with the New York Post", who was actually the assistant to Kate Hennings, came to investigate Melanies' homestead. Melanie has lead people to believe that she is from a wealthy and prosperous family, "the Carmichaels". Bobby Ray helps Melanie to carry on this subterfuge. It is never made clear in this film if indeed Bobby Ray and Colonel Murphy are actually related to Melanie.

As I mentioned before, Melanie becomes rather "verbal" during a night out in a barroom. She not only hurt her "cousin, Bobby Ray", she revealed that yes, she thought that she was better than all of them, and then proceeded to "expel her stomach contents" upon Jakes' front seat. The next morning Melanie awoke with feelings of embarassment and remorse...and relief...the divorce papers were lying beside her with Jakes' signature.

Although the remaining story of this film is rather predictable, I am going to stop with the actual story-line at this point. Let's go into the characters instead...

Reese Witherspoon aka Melanie Smooter Perry Carmichael first caught my attention with her role in Pleasantville back in 1998. There was sweetness with a bit of rebellion in her eyes that promised good things to come. In Sweet Home Alabama she played the role of "gold-digger times 2" very well, though not a loveable character.

Josh Lucas aka Jake Perry has some of the cutest dimples...and those blue eyes! They weren't nearly as obvious in his role in A Beautiful Mind.

Patrick Dempsey aka Andrew Hennings began so many years ago ...1986, I believe..., in the TV series "Fast Times". His character in Sweet Home Alabama", appears so very closely to emulate that of JFK, Jr.

Candace Bergen aka Kate Hennings seems to be appearing only in roles of the "Super B" these days. Her character in Sweet Home Alabama too closely resembled the one she portrayed in Miss Congeniality, Kathy Morningside.

Ethan Embry aka Bobby Ray first grabbed my eye when he played the bass player in That Thing You Do". He has such a simple and sweet appeal. He has grown into a fine actor since his days of playing Rusty Griswold in National Lampoons Vegas Vacation".

Mary Kay Place aka Pearl Smooter is probably the one character in Sweet Home Alabama that had some real depth. She loved her daughter dearly and wanted a better life for her. When I see Mary Kay Place I always think of the oh-so-hopeful-fertile Meg of The Big Chill. She is believeable in the roles that she plays.

Jean Smart aka Stella Kay plays the role of Jakes' mom. In one of the deleted scenes, she and Melanie have a heart-felt talk the morning after the barroom scene. It should not have been deleted...it explained so much. Jean Smart, like Mary Kay Place, could've given this movie so much more...both of their performances were cut short.

The DVD version of this film reveals an entire storyline that was deleted upon the final cut. It involved the role of a young girl, Melanies' roommate and assistant. Her name was "Erin"..."Erin Vanderbilt" to be exact...although her last name is not revealed until the final scenes. According to Andy Tennant, the films' director, the "test audience" felt that the deleted scenes made it appear that Andrew and Erin were sleeping together. Upon that assumption, the entire "Erin" line was deleted to make the character of Andrew more acceptable. These deletions hurt the film more than it helped it, in my humble opinion.

To finish this up, I will say that Sweet Home Alabama left a lot to be desired in the romantic comedy genre. The title character was self-centered and unsure of exactly what she wanted. After watching this movie, I did not find a need to reach for the box of Kleenex. It did not invoke that feeling of completeness that I desire in a romantic film. It's alright to rent for a cute Saturday night viewing, but not what I consider a "buy" movie... one that I would add to my collection. Too bad I didn't realize that before actually buying it.

Recommended:
No

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 9 - 12