Unconventionally 'Sweet Home Alabama'

“Sweet Home Alabama” is a romantic comedy that is a far cry from predictable. This fresh love story makes the movie genuinely picturesque. 

"Sweet Home Alabama"

The film premiered in 2002 and includes many big names. Reese Witherspoon plays the main character, Melanie. Patrick Dempsey plays her charming fiancé, Andrew Hennings. Melanie’s mule-headed husband, Jake Perry, was performed by Josh Lucas.

Melanie Carmichael is predicted to be the next big fashion designer and her rich and famous boyfriend has just proposed to her. Sounds perfect…except she is already married! 

Patrick Dempsey, Reese Witherspoon, Josh Lucas

Melanie goes back to her hometown of Greenville, Alabama to force her estranged husband to sign their divorce papers, and her history unfolds. The audience learns that Jake is her redneck high school sweetheart, whom she has deserted.

Melanie left Alabama to become a fashion designer and to escape rural poverty and becomes a highbrow fake. She accuses Jake and her high school friends of being a nobodies going nowhere, as they try to make her proud of her background. Her high school friend says, "You can take the girl out of the honky tonk, but you can’t take the honky tonk out of the girl."

Finally, Melanie’s past is exposed and the audience learns that she and Jake were pregnant and that she lost the baby. Melanie is not only surprised that Jake signs the divorce papers, but also because Jake secretly chased her to New York and has a blooming glass company. 

Hometown Party

While Melanie is walking down the aisle to marry Andrew, her lawyer intercedes to announce that in the struggle to get Jake to sign the papers, she has forgotten to do so herself. Melanie realizes that this is her chance to be honest, and leaves Andrew at the altar. 

Andrew and Melanie

She discovers Jake on the shore in a storm, waiting for lightening to strike and make glass. The beginning of the film is reincarnated and Jake asks, “What do you want to marry me for anyhow?” Then the famous line, “So I can kiss you anytime I want.”

Jake and Melanie

“Sweet Home Alabama” breaks through the standards for a romance and makes its own way. I admire that the film allowed the audience to love both Jake and Andrew, rather than making Andrew out to be a monster.

Despite the clever plot, the acting was imperfect. A few of the actors went too far with the southern accents and mannerisms. That being said, I believe that Patrick Dempsey and Josh Lucas were sensational. The southern love triangle, “Sweet Home Alabama”, gets a rating of 4 out of 5.