Fashion victime

Yes, the South is different. But isn't it sad that the song "Sweet Home Alabama," which was written in the first place to object to sweeping generalizations about demon-Southerners (all Southerners being white, of course, in this anti-Southern view) is now gracing a movie that cozies right up to Southern stereotypes? (And for those objecting to the sentiments of the song, perhaps you should learn a little bit more about Lynyrd Skynard and Neil Young, and what that song actually said about their attitudes--and how Young responded. What Skynard meant by the song and how SOME of their audience have interpreted it over the years are two different things, just like Springsteen's "Born in the USA" has been used for political purposes that are the opposite of the song's sentiments.)

For people who think every white Southerner's favorite evening wear is a white sheet with burning cross as accessory, they can gloat over the stupid hicks in this film. For people who want to fantasize that we can still live in Mayberry, they can groove on how pretty it all is. (Mostly.) People see what they expect to see. (Except black folks, who'd better not expect to see black folks living in the Alabama of THIS movie.) Reese Witherspoon herself, a well-bred Episcopalian débutante from Nashville, is a negation of Southern stereotypes, and an example of the Southerners we never see as characters in movies.

Meanwhile the movie itself is so innocuous that it dissolves while you're watching it. I've been sitting through the unending USA Network commercials for their showing of the flick, and getting the impression that the only reason they're showing it is to piggyback on the popularity of Dr. McDreamy.

I suppose there are worse ways to spend an evening. But don't imagine that you're seeing anything to do with the actual South. Or actual human beings.

It's pretty easy to see where the storyline is going from the outset but it remains an enjoyable story with plenty of smiling throughout and entertaining moments. An easy going film which I've been able to watch a few times now and still enjoy, so it must be doing something right!

I am glad I didn't listen to critics and watched this movie! It is a very good movie with charm, humor, sadness and most of all, genial acting! Reese Witherspoon and Josh Lucas are the two characters that you can relate to. Especially the dog part is very fun. I think what makes this movie good is that it is a story you can relate to, but made with humor. Yet there are a part sadness in the story.

It begins with that Melanie is asked by the son of the mayor if she wants to marry him. Then she says yes, but she has things to make up and decides to go down to her hometown in Alabama to get a divorce from her husband who she hasn't met for years, not after she lost her child and he was drunk on their wedding.

The concept and plot is very smart, when the tone is told with humour even in situations that are serious. In fact, if the movie hadn't humor, it had been falling apart. The humor is lifting the story to a little more than just good. It is so fun, so full of genial and amusing characters, excellent acting and an excellent ending. Maybe a movie that mostly girls like to watch, but anyway a good movie.

If you're seeing this review, it probably means you've scrolled through the one paragraph "it's was so sweet" reviews and a myriad of "this movie sucks" reviews. So let me be an impartial reviewer of this movie for you.

This is not, by any stretch of the imagination, a great movie. But, it's fun, it's sweet, a little corny, and incredibly early 2000s. If you're looking for a good romcom, go watch "Sleepless in Seattle" or "You've Got Mail". But, if you're looking for a dumb, easy-to-watch, 100 minute romcom with a predictable plot, this is a wonderful movie. The characters are pretty one dimensional, the dialogue is meh, but all-in-all it's a sweet movie and I enjoyed it thoroughly on a Saturday afternoon. I would suggest anyone watch it, just don't watch it if you're in the mood for a well constructed movie. I gave it 7 stars because it truly is a fun movie to sit with.

Look, we all know that Sweet Home Alabama is just a Hallmark movie dressed up in a fancy skirt, but there's still something special about this romantic comedy that helps it stand apart from the rest. It could be Reese Witherspoon, who plays her part of Melanie, the Yankee-fied southern belle, perfectly. It could be Josh Lucas (Jake), who is a fantastic foil to Witherspoon's character. And it could also be Patrick Dempsey (Andrew), who is actually a good alternative to Jake and not a one-dimensional antagonist. This film is not without its flaws, but I always have a good ol' time whenever I watch it.