Movie Review: Sweet Home Alabama

For those maybe not as familiar with movies no this is not about the famous Lynyrd Skynyrd song. Sweet Home Alabama, released in 2002, has often been listed among the best romantic comedies of the 2000’s and officially cemented Reese Witherspoon as one of the queens of the genre. As always spoilers will be ahead. I DO NOT OWN THE PICTURE.

Melanie Carmichael (Witherspoon with Dakota Fanning as the child version) is a fashion designer living in New York City and dating Andrew Hennings (Patrick Dempsey) the son of the New York City mayor Kate Hennings (Candice Bergen). After becoming engaged (in one of the most epic proposals in film) to Andrew Melanie decides to head back home to Alabama to tell her parents Pearl and Earl (Mary Kay Place and Fred Ward), but she is hiding a few big secrets. In order to get away from her poor, and youth trouble, Southern roots Melanie changed her last name from Smoots to Carmichael, her parents are not as classy as she claimed (her father does Civil War re-enactments) and is still married to her childhood sweetheart Jake Perry (Josh Lucas with Thomas Curtis as the child version). Despite Melanie sending divorce papers numerous times Jake refuses to sign them. Melanie uses everything in her power as his wife to get him to sign, such as emptying their joint account to sprucing up his home. However the longer she is at home the more Melanie realizes she shouldn’t be ashamed of who she was/is, and how much in love she still is with Jake. Unfortunately for Melanie Kate, doubting how good she is for Andrew (she is just a tad controlling), sends her assistant Barry (Kevin Sussman) to Alabama to investigate her son’s fiancé. About as far as I should go without giving away the rest of the movie.

Witherspoon as always shines in whatever movie she is in, and this is no exception. Whether she is coming off as New York businesswoman one minute then Southern troublemaker the next Witherspoon’s acting ability was top notch. Lucas was fantastic as Jake, the only guy who sees Melanie for who she truly is, and will do anything to show her that. Dempsey is good as Andrew, standing up to his mother and accepts Melanie for who she is (or so he thinks she is). The rest of the cast is enjoyable and has some very funny moments, although I admit the baby in the bar scene does have me questioning a few things. The films culture clash between New York and Alabama was so perfectly written, although it may have been a little stereotyping. I am not from the South nor have I traveled there so I have yet to experience if it is as different as this film perceives it; I’d like to judge it for myself by actually going one day and not how they are portrayed in film and television. Sweet Home Alabama is still a very cute romantic comedy and while I won’t say it is a must watch it is absolutely a girls night or date night film.

Movie Review: Freedom Writers

One of my favorite movies when I was in high school, and something I would highly recommend. Based on a true story and released in 2007, Freedom Writers showed how many from different cultures may have similar backgrounds and how one teacher truly could make a difference. Spoilers ahead. I DO NOT OWN THE PICTURE.

In 1994 Woodrow Wilson Classical High School has been struggling with their students. Many are juvenile delinquents and/or in gangs. New English teacher Erin Gruwell (Hilary Swank) starts off eager to teach, but soon realizes her students do not respect her, nor will she be getting help from her peers who tell her instead of teaching them about Anne Frank or The Odyssey to teach them about obedience. Taking matters into her own hands Gruwell challenges her students starting with the Holocaust. As she begins to gain their trust and respect Gruwell buys them notebooks to write in every day about anything they want. Having taken on two part time jobs to buy supplies puts a strain on her marriage Scott (Patrick Dempsey) and her unique methods anger her superior Margaret Campbell (Imelda Staunton). Meanwhile the film also focuses on some of the students such as Eva (April Lee Hernandez), Marcus (Jason Finn) Andre (Mario) and others. About as far as I can go without spoiling.

I watched this film in high school and once again fell in love with writing. Seeing the students write about their stories and grow not just as writers but as human beings is something I absolutely loved about this movie. Swank is one of the finest actresses today and she shined just as bright in this film; showing how tough, strong and compassionate the real life Gruwell is. I felt everything the characters were going though, yes I am well aware that maybe everything may not have happened but I’m not 100% sure. I would call this a must see not only for high school students, but for writers. Even if you are neither a writer or in high school, this film is pretty awesome and I would say put in on a must watch list.