Critic's Grade: A+

Reese Witherspoon is absolutely stunning and the film is good, however like many romance movies we all know how it's gonna turn out.

Melanie Charmical (Reese Witherspoon- Legally Blonde, Fear, Cruel Intentions) is an up and coming fashion designer and she's the next big thing. Her romance with the son (Patrick Dempsey- Loverboy, Scream 3) of a wealthy New York mayor (Candice Bergen- Miss Congeniality, TV's Murphy Brown) has just gone great when he proposed. Everything seems set for the two getting married except for one thing: Melanie's already married. Determined to become successful Melanie decides to return to her hometown of Greenville, Alabama where she must recieve the divorce papers from her high-school sweetheart Jake (Josh Lucas) who is a redneck. But when she returns home, Melanie begins to realize that home is where the heart is.

Reese Witherspoon returns to comedic roots coming off from her 2001 surprise hit "Legally Blonde". She shines as Melanie and really brings the character to life. Her performance is a knockout and she could very well recieve an Golden Globe nomination for it. Witherspoon whose previous films include the 1996 teen thriller "Fear" with Mark Wahlberg, and Alyssa Milano. The 1998 black and white comedy "Pleasantville" with Tobey Maguire and Jeff Daniels. The 1999 teen drama "Cruel Intentions" with Sarah Michelle Gellar and husband Ryan Phillippe. The 1999 dark comedy "Election" with Chris Klien and Matthew Broderick. And The 2001 teen girl-power movie "Legally Blonde" with Victor Garber and Selma Blair. Her characters then were teens, but this film showed her as an adult trying to find herself.

Co-starring Jean Smart (TV's The In Laws), Fred Ward (Enough, Summer Catch), Ethan Embry (Can't Hardly Wait) and Melanie Lynskey (Coyote Ugly, Enough)

Well directed by Andy Tennant who also directed Drew Barrymore and Anjelica Houston in 1998's "Ever After: A Cinderella Story" really did a good job with this film. The movie was produced by Neal H. Moritz who has also produced such hits as "XXX", "I Know What You Did Last Summer", and "The Fast and the Furious".

Like many romance movies today this film has no exception to having it's dull moments. Many of the moments that seem to take a dramatic turn for the worse include Melanie getting drunk at a bar and insulting her best friends, and another where Melanie's parents don't seem to care about her life. Although some of the scenes were good it's direction was going into a dramatic movie and taking time away from the plot.

The film also seems to have some weak moments including the beginning where a young Melanie and Jake as 10 year olds and kissing while it's raining and they getting struke by lightning. The scene isn't really necesary but audiences seem to love it.

The performances that were standouts and good were given by Josh Lucas whose portrayal as the redneck Jake was on point, entertaining and excellent. Also Mary Kay Place and Ethan Embry also give good performances and lighting up the screen everytime they appear.

Filled with country music and southern style clothes the film is a delight, great to watch and is worth the price of admission.

Out of a possible 4 stars, this film deserves a good 3 stars.

All Reviews by James Edwards
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