New York fashion designer Melanie Carmichael suddenly finds herself engaged to the city's most eligible bachelor. But her past holds many secrets—including Jake, the redneck husband she married in high school, who refuses to divorce her. Bound and determined to end their contentious relationship once and for all, Melanie sneaks back home to Alabama to confront her past.
Directed by Andy Tennant
new york city
marriage proposal
alabama
career woman
fashion designer
young love
deep south
social mobility
upward mobility
Rank
#109 in 2002·#5675 overall
Trailer
IMDB
N/A
Where to Watch
Cast
Reese Witherspoon
Melanie Smooter
Josh Lucas
Jake Perry
Patrick Dempsey
Andrew Hennings
Candice Bergen
Mayor Kate Hennings
Mary Kay Place
Pearl Smooter
Fred Ward
Earl Smooter
Jean Smart
Stella Kay Perry
Ethan Embry
Bobby Ray
Melanie Lynskey
Lurlynn
Courtney Gains
Sheriff Wade
Mary Lynn Rajskub
Dorothea
Rhona Mitra
Tabatha Wadmore-Smith
Crew
Andy Tennant
Director
George Fenton
Original Music Composer
Tracey Wadmore-Smith
Editor
Troy Takaki
Editor
Andrew Dunn
Director of Photography
Neal H. Moritz
Producer
Jon Jashni
Executive Producer
Dawn Solér
Music Supervisor
Lonnie R. Smith Jr.
Stunt Coordinator
Anne Morgan
Hair Designer
Cal Johnson
Stunts
Cal Johnson
Stunt Double
Popular Reviews
1762 reviews
Vivi
7.0★ · 12/03/25
Reese with short hair is gorgeous
Reese with short hair is gorgeous
2
MatteaPRO
5.0★ · 02/18/26
She turned down Patrick Dempsey?! Really??
She turned down Patrick Dempsey?! Really??
1
Nicolle Soares
6.0★ · 12/12/25
“So I can kiss you anytime I want.”
If you look past the all the weird and strange things, it’s kind of cute. Although I feel so bad for Andrew, I was kind of hoping she’d end up with Jake. My head hates that Andrew got hurt and that she left him for redneck central, but my heart is happy she found her true happiness and home. As much as her and Andrew would’ve been amazing together, she would be stuck thinking about the what ifs with Jake forever.
And I’m kind of a sucker for romance movies and the call-back at the end was everything to me.
Very confused on what her career plan is now, she left everything for him, her career, the city, a great guy, everything?????
“So I can kiss you anytime I want.”
If you look past the all the weird and strange things, it’s kind of cute. Although I feel so bad for Andrew, I was kind of hoping she’d end up with Jake. My head hates that Andrew got hurt and that she left him for redneck central, but my heart is happy she found her true happiness and home. As much as her and Andrew would’ve been amazing together, she would be stuck thinking about the what ifs with Jake forever.
And I’m kind of a sucker for romance movies and the call-back at the end was everything to me.
Very confused on what her career plan is now, she left everything for him, her career, the city, a great guy, everything?????
1
nik
1.0★ · 04/22/24
U CAN'T RIDE TWO HORSES WITH ONE ASS MELANIE🤬🤬🤬
U CAN'T RIDE TWO HORSES WITH ONE ASS MELANIE🤬🤬🤬
1
Rheanne
7.0★ · 07/03/26
Imagine leaving bazillionaire Patrick Dempsey at the altar. Couldn't be me but good for her🫂
Imagine leaving bazillionaire Patrick Dempsey at the altar. Couldn't be me but good for her🫂
