When I was in Los Angeles we rented a Movie called SWEET HOME ALABAMA. The film was released in September of 2002. It takes about an hour and fifty minutes to watch it. Andy Tennant was the Director and the Producers were Stokey Chaffina and Neil Moritz. The movie is rated PG-13.
THE STARS:
Reese Witherspoon plays Melanie.
Patrick Dempsey plays Andrew Hennings.
Josh Lucas plays Jake.
Candice Bergen plays Kate Hennings(the Mayor of NYC).
THE PLOT:
The movie begins when we see Melanie Carmichael, (she is a Fashion Designer in New York City),inside Tiffany’s, (a famous Jewellery Store), boyfriend Andrew. The Store is not open as they have just closed it but they have allowed Andrew to bring her.
Andrew is the Son of New York’s Mayor Kate Hennings. He has brought Melanie here to propose to her. Once she says ''yes'' she can select any ring she wants as an engagement ring.
Melanie is so ecstatic because she always dreamed of being rich. There are two problems Andrew's Mother doesn't like her and she is still married to her ''High School'' Sweetheart. She has been trying to get him to sign the divorce papers for years but he refuses to do so.
Andrew doesn't know she had been married before let alone not divorce. Melanie decides to drive back home to a called Town Pigeon Creek,(in the State of Alabama), to try and force him to sign the papers.
Melanie knows that a Man that is part of the ''high Society'' of NYC could never be engaged to a Woman who is still married right.
Andrew wants to go back to Alabama and meet her Family. She tells him, ''It's not the right time to do this''.
Pigeon Creek is a small Town in the area that we call ''Redneck Country'', (the people are crude and only like white People who were born in the Southern part of the United States). Both the Women and the Men yell at one another and go out every night to dance and guzzle,(drink), down a few Beers.
The first thing Melanie arrives is to go to her Husband Jake's House. He is at home and she tries to get him to sign the divorce papers.
She thought knew it wasn't going to get Jake to sign the papers but she had a few ways she thought she convince him to. He almost signs them a few times but keeps managing putting her off.
She meets some of her old Friends but because she thinks she is better than them they think she is a ''snob''. They don't want to meet her again.
Melanie finds out that her'' maiden name'' wasn’t Carmichael and is quite shocked to learn that she was a Smooter.
She starts to remember why she once loved her Husband. She remembers their first kiss and how it felt, (like a bolt of lightning struck her).
She starts to cry when the memories of the Baby they lost come back to haunt her.
There are more surprises to come but I'll end my review here in case you haven't seen this film yer.
THE QUESTIONS I WON'T ANSWER:
What part does Andrews Mother play in this small Alabama Town?
Why was her last name changed to Carmichael?
Who were the Smooters?
Why was sand so important? I know I didn't tell you about some sand being struck by lightning!
Who does Melanie end up with Andrew or her Husband?
Where does she end up living?
I LOVED THE MUSIC:
''Sweet Home Alabama is sung by Jewel
Mine All Mine is sung by the SheDaisy
Falling Down is sung by Avril Lavigne
Gonna Make You Love Me is sung by Ryan Adams
To Think I Used To Love You is sung by Uncle Kracker
Keep Your Hands To Yourself is sung by the Calling
Bring On The Day is sung by Charlotte Martin
Long Gone Lonesome Blues is sung by Sheryl Crow
You Got Me is sung by Jason Chain
Now That I Know is sung by Shannon McNally
Marry Me is sung by Dolly Parton
The Weekend Song - The Freestylers
Felony Melanie is sung by George Fenton
Sweet Home Alabama Suite is sung by George Fenton''
MY THOUGHTS:
This movie was cute and not an award winner. I thought each character played their part well.
Reese Witherspoon did a nice job when she learned how to speak with a Southern accent. The sparks fly when she is alone with both Patrick Dempsey and Josh Lucas.
I understand that the original ending wasn't shown and they changed the ending. I have no idea why.
If you haven't seen this film yet it is a good one to watch when you are at home.
Comments are always welcome and ratings don't matter.
©LL2003
