Sweet Home Alabama

Slick New York fashion designer Melanie Carmichael (Witherspoon) thinks city glamour and a high profile engagement are what matter in life. Clearly, she's neglected the cardinal rule of rom com: love conquers all. So it's off to her Alabama birthplace, ostensibly to divorce childhood sweetheart Jake (Lucas), but actually to have the ground restored under her Jimmy Choos. To her credit, Reece gives this slushy material all she's got. She's likeable and brings intelligence to even the ditsiest part. An overblown Candice Bergen lords it up as NY's mayor (as villain of the piece, she's responsible for one of the film's few belly laughs), while Lucas is that unlikely character - a fanciable redneck. But heck, it's about time those hillbillies had a makeover. Forget Jerry Springer's cousin-shagging mutants; the Deep South is full of deep-hearted, clean-living folk who never cuss, wear natty denims and are tolerant of all sexualities. Believe that and you'll like this.