Reese Witherspoon stars in SWEET HOME ALABAMA, a charming romantic comedy directed by Andy Tennant. Witherspoon is Melanie Carmichael, a Southern girl who leaves her past behind in order to find success as a fashion designer in New York City. On the night of a hugely important show, her charming and romantic boyfriend, Andrew (Patrick Dempsey), proposes to her. It is at that point that Melanie flees for Alabama, hoping to take care of some unfinished business before Andrew and his mother, New York mayor Kate Hennings (Candice Bergan), discover the truth about her. The truth is that Melanie, whose real last name is Smooter, is still married to her childhood sweetheart, Jake (Josh Lucas), who refuses to grant her a divorce. As Melanie reunites with her parents and old friends, she is forced to reevaluate her new-and-improved self. In the process, she rediscovers a love that she thought she had lost. Tennant's film is elevated by Witherspoon's mere presence. Her rare blend of intelligence, wit, and beauty are a wonder to behold. Adding to the charm are Lucas and Dempsey, who portray characters who are hard to root against.
Theatrical release: September 27, 2002
DVD Features:
Region 1
Keep Case
Anamorphic Widescreen - 2.35
Letterbox - 1.85
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
Dolby Digital 5.1 - French
Additional Release Material:
Alternate Ending
Trailers
Deleted Scenes
Audio Commentary: Andy Tennant - Director
Music Video: SHeDAISY - "Mine All Mine"
Interactive Features:
Scene Access
Interactive Menus
Stars
Reese Witherspoon: American actress, CRUEL INTENTIONS (1999)
Joshua Lucas:
Candice Bergen: American Film and Television Actress, MURPHY BROWN
Patrick Dempsey: American actor, GREY'S ANATOMY
Rhona Mitra:
Ethan Embry: Actor, DUTCH
Jean Smart: American TV Actress, DESIGNING WOMEN
Katharine Towne: actress in 2000's THE IN CROWD
Fred Ward: American Actor
Mary Kay Place: American actress, MARY HARTMAN, MARY HARTMAN
Melanie Lynskey: Actress, HEAVENLY CREATURES, TWO AND A HALF MEN
Director
Andy Tennant: Director
Producer
Neal H. Moritz: Producer/"Juice"
Stokely Chaffin: Producer
Screenwriter
C. Jay Cox: Screenwriter, SWEET HOME ALABAMA (2002)
Composer
George Fenton: Composer
Director of Photography
Andrew Dunn: American Cinematographer
Review 1:
"...Lucas delivers an easy-going turn....Ultra-reliable thesps Place and Jean Smart have their Southern shtick down cold..."
Source: Variety
p.24-71 09/30/2002
Review 2:
"...It's the tough side of Witherspoon that grounds her performance....Her lack of vanity helps put the crunch in her comedy....Reese rules..."
Source: Rolling Stone
p.76 10/17/2002
Review 3:
"...SWEET HOME ALABAMA is a well-crafted, well-acted and well-directed movie..."
Source: Sight and Sound
p.53-4 01/01/2003