who played the lawyer in sweet home alabama

by Noe Kautzer 9 min read

Bob Penny

Full Answer

Who are the actors in Sweet Home Alabama?

Sweet Home Alabama is a 2002 American romantic comedy film directed by Andy Tennant and starring Reese Witherspoon, Josh Lucas, Patrick Dempsey and Candice Bergen. The film was released by Touchstone Pictures on September 27, 2002.

Who played Andrew Hennings in Sweet Home Alabama?

Patrick Dempsey played Andrew Hennings, Melanie's dreamy NYC fiancé. Patrick Dempsey on the set of "Sweet Home Alabama." The film starts with Andrew proposing to Melanie, while his mother, the mayor of New York City, disapproves and believes that Melanie is hiding something.

Who did Josh Lucas play in Sweet Home Alabama?

Josh Lucas played the role of Jake Perry, the husband of Melanie Smooter (Carmichael) in “Sweet Home Alabama”. They first appeared as adolescents in an Alabama beach discussing how they would be married someday.

Who did Courtney Gains play in Sweet Home Alabama?

Courtney Gains played Sheriff Wade, one of Melanie and Jake's friends from childhood who became a cop. Courtney Gains in "Sweet Home Alabama." Wade is one of their childhood friends and remained close with Jake as they grew up. He married Dorothea, a bank teller and one of their other friends.

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Was Matthew McConaughey in the movie Sweet Home Alabama?

There are a few cuddly moments between Witherspoon and Lucas (a poor man's Matthew McConaughey), but they continually stall out, turning Alabama into a marriage, and a movie, that refuses to die. Anita Schmaltz writes about film for Metro Times.

What happened to the guy from Sweet Home Alabama?

Fred Ward, best known for his roles in Tremors, Remo Williams and playing Reese Witherspoon's father in Sweet Home Alabama, has died. He was 79.

Did Reese Witherspoon marry Josh Lucas?

Josh Lucas, who played Reese Witherspoon's estranged husband with whom she falls back in love in the 2002 rom-com (after getting engaged to Patrick Dempsey's Andrew Hennings), recently stopped by SiriusXM's Pop Culture Spotlight with Jessica Shaw, where the host asked if fans would ever get a sequel.

Did Reese Witherspoon star in Sweet Home Alabama?

Reese Witherspoon has been a part of a number of iconic movies over the years, including a short foray into rom-coms in the early '00s. The actress worked alongside Mark Ruffalo in Just Like Heaven, Luke Wilson in Legally Blonde and was in the middle of Patrick Dempsey and Josh Lucas in 2002's Sweet Home Alabama.

How old was Reese Witherspoon when she made Sweet Home Alabama?

"Sweet Home Alabama" premiered on September 27, 2002 — more than 19 years ago. It stars Reese Witherspoon, who turns 46 on March 22, as an Alabama-born fashion designer in NYC. With this film, Witherspoon solidified herself as the newest rom-com queen.

What happened to Melanie's baby in Sweet Home Alabama?

Her mother, Pearl Smooter, encouraged Melanie to get out of Pigeon Creek at any cost to have a better life for herself. Melanie initially ignored that advice and married her childhood sweetheart, Jake Perry, fresh out of high school. They got married solely because she was pregnant, she ultimately miscarrying.

Is Sweet Home Alabama a true story?

Sweet Home Alabama is not a true story — but Witherspoon saw her life reflected in it.

Are they making a Sweet Home Alabama 2?

A Sweet Home Alabama sequel hasn't been greenlit. .. Notably, the actor once again mentioned his desire for a sequel while a guest on SiriusXM's "Pop Culture Spotlight with Jessica Shaw" last summer.

Who played Reese Witherspoon's husband in Sweet Home Alabama?

She's raking in $15 million for the sequel to the hit comedy Legally Blonde. Not bad for a Nashville girl, or anyone. In her new film, Sweet Home Alabama, opening today, Witherspoon plays Melanie, a New York fashion designer who becomes engaged to Andrew (Patrick Dempsey), a rising political star.

What beach was Sweet Home Alabama filmed on?

Despite the film's name, the majority was filmed in Georgia. The opening scenes with the lightning strike on the beach took place in Captiva Island, Florida, near Fort Myers. The big houses Melanie drives past on her way into her town are in Eufala, Alabama, including the Shorter Mansion.

Where in Georgia was Sweet Home Alabama filmed?

The house that Melanie (Reese Witherspoon) pretends is her home is actually Oak Hill at Berry College in Rome, Georgia. The downtown scenes were filmed in Crawfordville in Taliaferro County. Jake's (Josh Lucas) glassblowing shop was filmed in Fayette County Georgia at an old mill called Starr's Mill.

Was any of Sweet Home Alabama filmed in Alabama?

Despite the name, "Sweet Home Alabama" was actually filmed in Georgia. Reese Witherspoon, Patrick Dempsey, Candace Bergen and Josh Lucas star in the film, which celebrated its 15th anniversary in 2017.

Where was Sweet Home Alabama filmed?

Sweet Home Alabama was the first film allowed to shoot in New York City after the September 11, 2001 attacks. It was also the first film allowed to film at Tiffany's since Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961).

What song is the theme song for Sweet Home Alabama?

The film title and theme song lyrics are from the " Sweet Home Alabama " song by Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, which first appeared on their second album, Second Helping (1974).

Where was the movie "The Carmichael Plantation" filmed?

Although centered in a fictional version of the town of Pigeon Creek, near a fictional version of Greenville, Alabama, the film was mostly shot in Georgia. The Carmichael Plantation, which Melanie tells the reporter is her childhood home, is the Oak Hill Berry Museum, a historic landmark in Georgia which is on the campus of Berry College in Rome, Georgia .

How much did Sweet Home Alabama make?

The film grossed over US$35 million in its first weekend. By the end of its run in the United States, Sweet Home Alabama grossed over US$130 million , and another US$53,399,006 internationally. With a reported budget of US$30 million, it was a box office hit, despite the mixed reviews.

Who is Andrew's mother?

Meanwhile, Kate Hennings, Andrew's mother and the Mayor of New York City, doubts Melanie's suitability to wed her son, whom she is grooming to run for President of the United States. Melanie visits Jake, who has avoided signing the divorce papers.

How old are Jake Perry and Melanie Smooter?

On a beach in the fictional town of Pigeon Creek, Alabama, 10-year-olds Jake Perry and Melanie Smooter inspect the result of lightning striking sand. Jake asserts that they will be married one day.

Who played Andrew Hennings in Sweet Home Alabama?

Patrick Dempsey played Andrew Hennings, Melanie's dreamy NYC fiancé. Patrick Dempsey on the set of "Sweet Home Alabama.". The film starts with Andrew proposing to Melanie, while his mother, the mayor of New York City, disapproves and believes that Melanie is hiding something.

Who played Bobby Ray in Sweet Home Alabama?

Ethan Embry played Bobby Ray, one of Melanie's closest childhood friends. Ethan Embry in "Sweet Home Alabama.". Bobby Ray is one of the people who's happiest to see Melanie when she returns to her hometown, and he has been keeping up with her design career in New York.

What movies has Lynskey been in?

Outside of that sitcom, Lynskey has become successful within the independent film community, starring in movies such as "Hello I Must Be Going," "Happy Christmas," "Sadie," and "We'll Never Have Paris.". She also appeared in more mainstream films like "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" and "Up in the Air.".

What movies did Ward appear in?

Ward's career began in Italian cinema in the '70s, but soon after began appearing in American films like "The Right Stuff" and "Silkwood.". At the time of "Sweet Home Alabama," he was appearing in other comedies as well, like "Joe Dirt ," "Corky Romano," and "Road Trip.".

Who played Melanie Carmichael in Sweet Home Alabama?

Reese Witherspoon played teenage-rebel-turned-fashion designer Melanie Carmichael (née Smooter). Witherspoon in "Sweet Home Alabama.". Melanie (or Felony Melanie, as she's known in Pigeon Creek) grew up a wild child in her small Alabama town, egged on by her childhood bestie and sweetheart, Jake Perry.

Is Lynskey married to Reese Witherspoon?

She married future "Westworld" star Jimmi Simpson in 2007, but they divorced in 2012. She became engaged to "Parenthood" actor Jason Ritter in 2017.

Who played Derek Shepherd in Grey's anatomy?

Not long after "Sweet Home Alabama," Dempsey signed on to the ABC medical show/prime-time soap "Grey's Anatomy" to play Derek Shepherd, a neurosurgeon with a very complicated relationship history. Dempsey remained on the show for 11 seasons, becoming half of one of the most iconic relationships in TV history.

Who played Mayor Hennings in Sweet Home Alabama?

Candice Bergen. The Murphy Brown alum starred as Mayor Hennings, who deeply disapproved of Melanie as a choice for her beloved son. After Sweet Home Alabama, she appeared in Sex and the City, Boston Legal and House, as well as in movies including Bride Wars, The Meyerowitz Stories, Home Again and Book Club.

When did Sweet Home Alabama come out?

Sweet Home Alabama became a classic rom-com almost as soon as it hit theaters in 2002, thanks to the charm — and chemistry — of leads Reese Witherspoon and Josh Lucas. “Small-town girl moves to the big city and forgets her roots” is a plot so clichéd at this point that it shows up in about 90 percent of made-for-TV Christmas movies, ...

Who played Becky Sharp in Vanity Fair?

Reese Witherspoon. After winning over Jake (and moviegoers) in Sweet Home Alabama, the Little Fires Everywhere star added more serious dramas to her repertoire, playing Becky Sharp in an adaptation of the classic novel Vanity Fair and Cheryl Strayed in the film version of the memoir, Wild.

Who plays Melanie Smooter?

Witherspoon stars as Melanie Smooter, a New York City fashion designer who hides her Pigeon Creek, Alabama, origins by using the last name “Carmichael.”. That plan seems to be working out for her until she gets engaged to Andrew Hennings ( Patrick Dempsey ), the wealthy son of NYC’s mayor ( Candice Bergen ).

Who played Jake Perry in Sweet Home Alabama?

Josh Lucas played the role of Jake Perry, the husband of Melanie Smooter (Carmichael) in “Sweet Home Alabama”. They first appeared as adolescents in an Alabama beach discussing how they would be married someday.

What is Sweet Home Alabama about?

Sweet Home Alabama is a romantic comedy film released in 2002 by Touchstone Pictures. Many years have passed after it hit the box office and the actors have moved on to star in other films. However, one gets so inquisitive sometimes and tries to figure out whether the careers of the main actors of a film they like (or not) have taken a nosedive or climbed onto enviable heights. Here’s us doing the figuring out for you, here’s everything you need to know about the main characters of “Sweet Home Alabama”.

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Overview

Sweet Home Alabama is a 2002 American romantic comedy film directed by Andy Tennant and starring Reese Witherspoon, Josh Lucas, Patrick Dempsey, Fred Ward, Mary Kay Place, Jean Smart, and Candice Bergen. It was released in the United States on September 27, 2002, by Buena Vista Pictures. The film takes its title from the 1974 Lynyrd Skynyrd song of the same name.

Plot

On a beach in the fictional town of Pigeon Creek, Alabama, 10-year-olds Jake Perry and Melanie Smooter inspect the result of lightning striking sand. Jake asserts that they will be married one day.
In the present day, Melanie is a successful New York fashion designer who has adopted the surname "Carmichael" to hide her poor Southern roots. After wealthy Andrew Hennings propose…

Cast

• Reese Witherspoon as Melanie Carmichael/Smooter
• Josh Lucas as Jake Perry
• Patrick Dempsey as Andrew Hennings
• Candice Bergen as Mayor Kate Hennings

Production

Charlize Theron was considered for the lead role before Reese Witherspoon was cast.
Katherine Towne was cast as Witherspoon's character's assistant who ultimately ends up marrying the Patrick Dempsey character, but all other scenes were dropped in the final cut.
Although centered in a fictional version of the town of Pigeon Creek, near a fictional version of Greenville, Alabama, the film was mostly shot in Georgia. The Carmichael Plantation, which Mela…

Release

This film received mostly mixed reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a critical score of 38% based on 159 reviews, with an average rating of 5.19/10. The site's critics consensus reads: "Reese Witherspoon is charming enough, but the road to Alabama is well-traveled." At Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 45 out of 100 based on 35 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".

See also

• The Judge—a 2014 film with a similar plot of a protagonist with a successful big city career drawn back to an old hometown.
• Middle America

External links

• Sweet Home Alabama at IMDb