Sweet Home Alabama (PG-13, 2002)

common sense media says

Witherspoon's charm keeps this movie afloat.


parents & educators say
  • 40% say language is an issue
  • 40% say there's too much drinking, drugs, or smoking

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this movie has brief strong language, gay characters (one out, one closeted) who are positively portrayed, and references to an out of wedlock teen pregnancy. Melanie gets drunk (and gets sick). Drinking, vandalism, and minor crimes are portrayed as evidence of a free spirit.

Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: Sexual references, including teen pregnancy.
Language: Some mild language.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Drinking as a sign of free-spiritedness, character gets drunk and gets sick

More on Sweet Home Alabama

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about why people are tempted to lie about their past, and how they would respond if they found out someone they cared about had lied to them. What does Melanie mean when she says "I figured if I was pointing at you, no one would see through me." What didn't she want them to see? What is Melanie likely to do next?

What's the story?

What's the story?
In SWEET HOME ALABAMA, Melanie Carmichael (Reese Witherspoon) is a fashion designer just breaking through to the big time with her first solo show. Not only is it a huge success, but she also gets a swooningly romantic marriage proposal from a gorgeous, thoughtful, supportive man (Patrick Dempsey) who adores her – and who happens to be the son of the mayor of New York (Candice Bergen). It's the 21st century Cinderella dream come true, except for one hitch -- literally. Way back when she was just Melanie Cooter of Pigeon Creek, Alabama, she got herself hitched to her childhood sweetheart, and now she needs to get herself unhitched so that she can be free to marry Prince Charming. So, she goes back home for the first time in seven years, and she finds out that you can take the girl out of Pigeon Creek, but you can't take Pigeon Creek out of the girl. Her accent comes back, and, more disconcertingly, so do some of her feelings for her husband, Jake (Josh Lucas).

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Reese Witherspoon has the charm, sparkle, and impeccable comic timing to keep an entire movie afloat and make it look effortless. It takes every bit of her talent and all-around adorability to keep this romantic comedy aloft, considering the considerable weight of its uncertain script. Without her, even the enticing premise and an exceptionally able supporting cast would sink under the weight of a plot that somehow manages to be both predictable and disjointed. The movie spends a too much time reuniting Melanie with people from her past. It also spends much too much time introducing us to all kinds of adorable cracker stereotypes, and on a tired plot twist about Melanie's exaggeration of her family's social standing.

A terrific soundtrack helps, with a cover of the irresistible title tune and delicious songs by country greats. Lucas and Dempsey are both dreamy enough that even movie-savvy viewers may find it hard to pick the winner.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Touchstone Pictures
Director: Andy Tennant
Cast: Candice Bergen, Josh Lucas, Reese Witherspoon
Genre: Comedy
Run time: 109 minutes
Theatrical release: September 27, 2002
DVD release: February 4, 2003
MPAA Rating: PG-13
MPAA explanation: language and sexual references

This review was written by Nell Minow
 
 

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What parents & educators say

13
Based on 5 parent & educator reviews:
  • 40% say language is an issue
  • 40% say there's too much drinking, drugs, or smoking

Most useful reviews by all members

MikaylaaMadisonn
teen, 16 years old
 
e.g. Perfect for older kids, but not for tweens
This is a really great movie. Reese Witherspoon is a really great actress, too.

ParamoreFan09
teen, 15 years old
 

Ms.Texting Queen
teen, 14 years old
 
good movie
I realy enjoyed i but there was a lot of drinking and seens at the bar. the main character even got drunk, but other than that i think it is good for 11 year olds and up. my 10 year old sis did not realy pay attentioin and she got bored fast.

musicfan789
teen, 14 years old
 
sweet and hilarious movie
sweet and hilarious movie i luv it my little 8 year old sister saw it and i thought it was not appropriate for her at the beginning an 11 year old asks a ten year old to get married with him but she says no even though they end up getting married and there is fluent/constant cussing but it was as i said before sweet and hilarious

 
It was a funny movie with a great plot...what more could you ask for?
Sweet Home Alabama was a great movie. There were some parts that were a bit boring but the rest was great! It was funny and enjoyable. It wasn't one of those movies where you knew what was going to happen, I was actually surprised!


kid, 12 years old
 
One of my fav movies!


teen, 14 years old
 
One of my fav movies!


kid, 11 years old
 
One of my fav movies!

 
Cute, Funny, not for tweens
This movie was cute and funny, as well as refreshingly surprising in an age of predictable romcoms. Some of the language and the sexual content make it innapropriate for tweens. 13+ okay.

 
A Movie Worth Seeing!
Love this movie! I think though that it is VERY predictable and that there is some swearing that might not want to be heard for kids under 12. Of course, there are some strong sexual refrences and also a gay guy that they portray as gay. One night she gets out of control drunk and winds up being sick.. Unless you want to explain what a hangover is to your children then I would say it's off for under 12 but iffy for 13. I thought it was a very cute movie and as always, Witherspoon was great!

Spielberg00
teen, 14 years old
 
Sometimes funny, but mostly OK.
My rating: PG-13 for alcohol use and some language including brief sexual references.

Tsion
parent of 15 year old
 
Charming, Forgetable Family Comedy
First off, I have no idea where the 14-15+ rating from Common Sense came from. I watched this movie and found it a very mild PG-13. It was charming, infrequently funny, and forgetable. It's a cute family rom-com, but mainly run-of-the-mill. The PG-13 rating comes from some light sexual references regarding gay characters. One male character is an obviously gay fashion designer, but his sexuality is only alluded to in one line, when he spots the main character's husband and, not knowing who he is, states "I saw him first." Another gay character has a larger role. The main character states that he never did anything to her "or any other girl in town", and later says, while drunk, "go to a gay bar." However, nothing blatantly homosexual is shown or mentioned. A reference to a teen pregnancy and miscarriage is handled delicately. In addition, there is some mild language punctuated by brief uses of "b**ch" and "s**t". One character drinks a lot and gets drunk.

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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age