Sweet Home Alabama
Starring | Reese Witherspoon Josh Lucas Patrick Dem ... |
Cinematography | Andrew Dunn |
Edited by | Troy Takaki Tracey Wadmore-Smith |
Music by | George Fenton |
Is Sweet Home Alabama based on a true story?
That's why we decided to highlight some of our favorite flicks set in sweet home Alabama. Some Alabama-based movies use fictional towns while others use actual places as their settings -- and some even use fictional towns inspired by actual places. Regardless, they're all Alabama-set movies we love.
Who are the Stars in Sweet Home Alabama?
- Genre Comedy,Drama
- Subgenre Romantic Comedy
- Title Sweet Home Alabama
- Countries Produced United States
- Duration 108 minutes
- Year of Release 2002
- Product Tags DVD
- Format DVD
- Program Type Movie
- Sound Features Dolby Digital w/ sub-woofer channel
What is the plot of Sweet Home Alabama?
Sweet Home Alabama is a 2002 American romantic comedy film. A young woman who's reinvented herself as a New York socialite must return home to Alabama to obtain a divorce from her husband, after seven years of separation. The film opens on a stormy Alabama beach with two children, Melanie Smooter and Jake Perry.
Who are the actors in Sweet Home Alabama?
Sweet home alabama review.docx. American film actors; Sweet Home Alabama; Patrick Dempsey; Reese Witherspoon
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Did they film Sweet Home Alabama 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.
Is the movie Sweet Home Alabama based on a true story?
Sweet Home Alabama is not a true story — but Witherspoon saw her life reflected in it.
Is Sweet Home Alabama about slavery?
"Sweet Home Alabama" is a song by the American Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, released on their second album, Second Helping (1974). It was written in response to Neil Young's 1970 song "Southern Man", which they felt blamed the entire South for American slavery. Young is name-checked in the lyrics.
What is the storyline of the movie Sweet Home Alabama?
New York fashion designer Melanie (Reese Witherspoon) suddenly finds herself engaged to the city's most eligible bachelor. But Melanie's past holds many secrets, including Jake (Josh Lucas), the redneck husband she married in high school, who refuses to divorce her. Bound and determined to end their relationship once and for all, Melanie sneaks back home to Alabama to confront her past, only to discover that you can take the girl out of the South, but you can't take the South out of the girl.Sweet Home Alabama / Film synopsis
Is Deep South Glass a real place?
Deep South Glass (Real name: Starr's Mill) Originally, the Simon Pearce store in Vermont was chosen as the building for Jake's store, but when scouts stumbled upon Starr's Mill the film crew decided to renovate the historic landmark for the scene instead.
Is Pigeon Creek Alabama a real place?
Although the movie was set in the fictional town of Pigeon Creek, Alabama, it was filmed almost entirely in Georgia. You see, Pigeon Creek is actually the name of a waterway that runs through the southern section of Butler County, Alabama. It's not a real town.
Why does Lynyrd Skynyrd use the Confederate flag?
From the outset, Skynyrd danced on the edge of controversy, performing in front of the Confederate flag and alluding to George Wallace, the segregationist governor of Alabama, in song.
Why is it called Sweet Home Alabama?
As the story goes, “Sweet Home Alabama” was originally intended as a response to Neil Young. Ronnie Van Zant, the lead singer of Lynyrd Skynyrd, was a big fan of Young's music, but he was taken aback by Young's early 70's songs “Southern Man” and “Alabama,” which attacked the south for its backwards, racist past.
Why did Lynyrd Skynyrd plane crash?
Cause. The National Transportation Safety Board determined that the probable cause of this accident was fuel exhaustion and total loss of power from both engines due to crew inattention to fuel supply.
How old was Reese Witherspoon in Sweet Home Alabama movie?
26-year-oldSo I enjoyed Witherspoon and the local color, but I am so very tired of the underlying premise." Andrew Sarris, critic for the New York Observer, said that the movie "Would be an unendurable viewing experience for this ultra-provincial New Yorker if 26-year-old Reese Witherspoon were not on hand to inject her pure ...
Was Melanie pregnant 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.
Who does the girl end up with in Sweet Home Alabama?
She becomes engaged to wealthy socialite Andrew Hennings (Patrick Dempsey), but there's a catch. Still married to her childhood sweetheart Jake (Josh Lucas), Melanie has to return home to finalize their divorce.
Storyline
Melanie Carmichael, an up and rising fashion designer in New York, has gotten almost everything she wished for since she was little. She has a great career and the JFK-like fiancée of New York City. But when he proposes to her, she doesn't forget about her family back down South.
Did you know
This was first film to shoot in New York City after the September 11, 2001 attack on the World Trade Center.
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What is the Hindi language plot outline for Sweet Home Alabama (2002)?
Who sang Sweet Home Alabama?
For the film, see Sweet Home Alabama (film). " Sweet Home Alabama " is a song by Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd that first appeared in 1974 on their second album, Second Helping .
Why was Sweet Home Alabama written?
Sweet Home Alabama was written in answer to two songs by Neil Young, Southern Man and Alabama (which was a rehash of Southern Man ), because the songs "took the entire South to task for the bloody history of slavery and its aftermath"..
Where is the song "Now Muscle Shoals has got the Swampers" from?
This refers to the town of Muscle Shoals, Alabama, a popular location for recording popular music because of the "sound" crafted by local recording studios and back-up musicians.
When did Sweet Home Alabama come out?
The film will celebrates its 15th birthday this month, having debuted September 27, 2002. In honor of this beloved time capsule of life down South, we've rounded up a few behind-the-scenes tid-bits from the making of Sweet Home Alabama.
Where is the Key Underwood Coon Dog Memorial?
The Key Underwood Coon Dog Memorial Grave in Tuscumbia, Alabama, has become the resting place for more than 300 beloved coon dogs since 1937. 4. According to IMDb, the producer, Stokely Chaffin, was raised in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and insisted her screenwriter, C. Jay Cox visit Alabama before writing the screenplay.
What is deep south glass?
The jaw-dropping hand-blown glass known in the film as "Deep South Glass" is work from the company Simon Pearce, based in Vermont. The company says each piece of "lightning glass" required a team of five glassblowers. 3. Get your tissues ready, because the coon dog cemetery depicted in the film is a real place.
What is Sweet Home Alabama about?
The 2002 film Sweet Home Alabama tells of a fashion designer in New York City who must return to her small hometown to get a divorce from her high school boyfriend. In the process, she becomes reacquainted with him along with her family and former friends.
Where does Melanie's town take place?
The big houses Melanie drives past on her way into her town are in Eufala, Alabama. And, of course, some of the New York City scenes take place at Lincoln Center, the Fashion District, and Tiffany’s. All of these locations are open to the public. Some no longer exist or were created for the movie, so they’ve been left out.
What was the setting for Pigeon Creek?
Taliaferro County Courthouse. The town was used as the setting for Pigeon Creek, Melanie’s hometown. Various buildings were used for the cafe, bank, and post office. There’s also the Taliaferro County Historical Society, which has artifacts from the films.
Where was the movie "The Lightning Strike" filmed?
It made a star of Tennessee native Reese Witherspoon, along with Patrick Dempsey, Josh Lucas, Ethan Embry, and Candice Bergen. 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.
When was Berry's home built?
Built in the 1880s in the Greek Revival style, Berry lived much of her life in the home before and after founding the school. It contains stunning gardens from the 1930s and offers guided tours of the interior with admission.
Where is Martha Berry Museum?
The Martha Berry Museum, near the home’s entrance, educates visitors on Berry’s life along with the history of the school and the town of Rome. In Sweet Home Alabama, Oak Hill serves as the Carmichael Plantation.
Where was Sweet Home Alabama filmed?
Sweet Home Alabama Filming Locations. The movie is set in a fictional town – Pigeon Creek – near Greenville, Alabama. However, very few scenes were shot in the state. Georgia, Florida, and New York are locations that more prominently feature in the list of filming venues. But before we discuss them in detail, here is a fun fact about ‘Sweet Home ...
Who sang Sweet Home Alabama?
These iconic lyrics from the equally famous eponymous song by Lynyrd Skynyrd will always remind us of the Reese Witherspoon, Josh Lucas, and Patrick Dempsey movie, ‘Sweet Home Alabama.’. The romantic comedy follows a successful fashion designer, Melanie, as she makes her way back to her Southern hometown to obtain a divorce from her childhood ...
Where was the movie Catfish filmed?
Most of the film was shot in the Peach State, and Crawfordville replicated Melanie’s Southern hometown. In fact, the downtown features heavily, and the Catfish Festival also made use of various storefronts in the vicinity. Heavy’s Barbeque was turned into Stella’s bar. The Taliaferro County Courthouse makes an appearance, as does the coonhound cemetery, located on Moore Street.
Where was the Civil War reenactment filmed?
The humungous civil-war reenactment was filmed at the Georgia International Horse Park.
Where was the movie "Breakfast at Tiffany's" filmed?
Who can forget Patrick Dempsey’s character going down on one knee to propose to Melanie in a Tiffany’s? This was shot at the legendary store in the Big Apple, and interestingly, it was the first time that the brand allowed filming to take place on premises since the shoot of ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ (that occurred in 1961). Apart from this, the Lincoln Center and the Fashion District also make an appearance.
Where was the movie "Fulgurite" filmed?
This was filmed at Captiva Island, which is situated near Fort Myers.
Where was Jake's glassblowing shop?
Fayette County was where the scenes involving Jake’s glassblowing shop were captured. The specific location used was Starr’s Mill. Wynn’s pond, in Sharpsburg, is also seen when Jake lands his plane. There is also a scene where Melanie dupes a reporter by showing him her supposed childhood home.
Where was Sweet Home Alabama filmed?
Sweet Home Alabama stars Reese Witherspoon as the successful New York fashion designer Melanie Carmichael. Before she can wed her city-dwelling sweetheart, Andrew, Melanie must return to her Alabama hometown and finalize a divorce from her husband, Jake.
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Sweet Home Alabama filming locations in Georgia
The town of Crawfordville, Georgia, brought Pigeon Creek to life. Established in 1825, Crawfordville is currently home to around 534 people. The city has remained largely as it was in the early 1900s, making it popular among the filmmaking crowd.
Other Sweet Home Alabama filming locations in Georgia
Outside of Crawfordville, several other Georgia locations played prominent roles in Sweet Home Alabama .
Book the perfect filming location
Peerspace makes it easy to book a stunning production location. Enjoy the largest location library and hassle-free hourly bookings.
Sweet Home Alabama filming locations in New York
Before heading back to Pigeon Creek, several scenes were shot on location in NYC to show off Melanie’s extravagant city lifestyle. In fact, this was actually the first movie shot in the city after 9/11. Remember Andrew’s iconic proposal inside Tiffany’s? This was shot on location in New York City’s Tiffany’s store.
How to capture Sweet Home Alabama vibes in your next film project
Now that we’ve cleared up the question: where was Sweet Home Alabama filmed? let’s talk about other places you can capture small-town charm on camera. As the most extensive online event marketplace globally, Peerspace has tons of awesome locations for filmmakers.

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
Overview
"Sweet Home Alabama" is a song by American Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd that first appeared in 1974 on their second album, Second Helping.
The song was written in response to Neil Young's "Southern Man", which was released in 1970, because it took the entire South to task for the bloody history of slavery and its aftermath. Young is name-checked in the lyrics to "Sweet Ho…
Other uses
• As of 2009, the State of Alabama has begun using the phrase "Sweet Home Alabama" as an official slogan on license plates for motor vehicles, with Governor Bob Riley noting that Lynyrd Skynyrd's anthem is the third most-played song referring to a specific destination. (This is also the second Alabama license plate in a row to make reference to a popular song, with the state's previous plate having featured "Stars Fell on Alabama".)
Creation and recording
None of the three writers of the song were from Alabama; Ronnie Van Zant and Gary Rossington were both born in Jacksonville, Florida, while Ed King was from Glendale, California. In an interview with Garden & Gun, Rossington explained the writing process. "I had this little riff," he said. "It’s the little picking part and I kept playing it over and over when we were waiting on everyone to arrive for rehearsal. Ronnie and I were sitting there, and he kept saying, 'play that again'. Then Ronnie w…
Controversy
"Sweet Home Alabama" was written in answer to two songs by Neil Young, "Southern Man" and "Alabama", because the songs "took the entire South to task for the bloody history of slavery and its aftermath". "We thought Neil was shooting all the ducks in order to kill one or two," said Ronnie Van Zant at the time. The following excerpt is the Neil Young name-check in the song "Sweet Home Alabama":
Muscle Shoals
One verse of the song includes the line, "Now Muscle Shoals has got the Swampers/And they've been known to pick a song or two." This refers to the town of Muscle Shoals, Alabama, a popular location for recording popular music because of the "sound" crafted by local recording studios and back-up musicians. "The Swampers" referred to in the lyrics are the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section. These musicians, who crafted the "Muscle Shoals Sound", were inducted into the Alaba…
Personnel
Lynyrd Skynyrd
• Ronnie Van Zant – lead vocals
• Ed King – lead guitar, backing vocals (first "woo" at the end of the last chorus)
• Leon Wilkeson – bass guitar, backing vocals (second "woo" at the end of the last chorus)
"All Summer Long"
Kid Rock's 2008 song "All Summer Long" interpolates "Sweet Home Alabama" on the chorus and uses the guitar solo and piano outro, as well as the "turn it up" shout before the guitar solo; Billy Powell is featured on the track. "All Summer Long" also samples Warren Zevon's "Werewolves of London", which has similar chord progression to "Sweet Home Alabama".
The song is credited to Matthew Shafer, Waddy Wachtel, R.J. Ritchie, Leroy Marinell, Warren Zev…
Recognition and awards
• In May 2006, National Review ranked the song number 4 on its list of "50 greatest conservative rock songs".
• In July 2006, CMT ranked it number 1 on the "20 Greatest Southern Rock songs".