It's a movie you'll forget you ever saw. Then he auditioned to play the male lead, Jake, in "Sweet Home Alabama. Unheard of. Answer: She had a miscarriage. (01:08:15). I keep hearing that others from the movie would absolutely love to do it. It's not a popular opinion but Wallace stood for the average white guy in the South. They were watching the Deep South Glass scene where there's a close up of Josh walking down the stairs, and I think I cut maybe six frames and they both noticed. Reese Witherspoon was just coming off the success of "Legally Blonde" when she agreed to play the southern troublemaker turned New York City fashion designer Melanie Carmichael. Nonetheless, Clayton was persuaded to take the job, to "let the music be [her] protest. Sweet home Alabama, oh, sweet home baby Where the skies are so blue and the governor's true, The choice of Birmingham in connection with the governor (rather than the capital of Montgomery) is significant because it was the site of civil rights activism and violence in the 1960s. I was in director jail for about a year and then "Sweet Home Alabama" came around again. Tennant: When we showed it to a test audience the whole room was just like, "What the fuck!" It was released in the United States on September 27, 2002, by Buena Vista Pictures. In a sequence of them Melanie's parents are "scared" by a punk with a pierced tongue, Mel's co-worker from the beginning of the movie, who comments on her accent when she dreams. Trivia. But in a parallel universe somewhere, the alternative version went out. Ronnie and I were sitting there, and he kept saying, 'play that again'. The supporting cast includes Fred Ward, Mary Kay Place, Jean Smart, Candice Bergen, Ethan Embry, and Melanie Lynskey. after that particular line, and the media picked up only on the reference to the people loving the governor. I really was. Melanie is engaged, but her past holds secrets in Alabama. It was only humane from Melanie's skewed, immature-at-the-time perspective, believing the cat would be killed instantly. Sweet Home Alabama is a romantic comedy starring Reese Witherspoon, Patrick Dempsey and Josh Lucas. So we kept in touch. The early stuff in the movie, Melanie coming to Jake's house with the divorce papers for him to sign, we rehearsed that and there's a friction in the relationship and a real sense of love and passion underneath the surface. I'm talking every single person on the movie. It did free me. It's now been 15 years since the film was released, so here's a look back at 7 things you probably didn't know about Sweet Home Alabama! "I don't care about your past, all I want to know is if there's a place for me in your future.". Ed Araquel/Netflix. Visible crew/equipment: As Melanie is walking across the battlefield looking for her father she steps across 'dead bodies'. She and Andrew wish each other well, though Kate berates Andrew and insults Melanie, her family, and the entire town, for which Melanie punches her in the face. I had remembered it being a decent rom com with some heart, but as I watched it, I realized that it followed the exact same pattern of a Hallmark Christmas movie: 1. ), Lucas: I frankly haven't run into Reese since making the movie. It's the "almost" part that makes the movie work. In the movie's most dramatic scene, Melanie goes to see the gravesite of her old dog Bear. Where are those four characters now: Melanie, Jake, Andrew, and Melanie Lynskey's character, Lurlynn? On the beach just before, it was dirty and wet from the storm and sand. People still revisit it not as a guilty pleasure but more as a soothing pleasure. And Sweet Home Alabama, on the surface a pretty frothy romantic comedy, would cement her place as a hugely successful leading actor. Learn to play Lynyrd Skynyrd with easy chords for beginners. I thought I bombed so badly that I called my agent at the time afterward and was like, "Listen, please tell them I'm so sorry but I deserve another chance, let me go back in and do it again correctly." On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. During Melanie and Andrew's wedding at the Carmichael estate, a lawyer arrives and halts the ceremony. As my mom and I left, I got attacked basically by paparazzi. When Melanie announces her engagement, her father Earl asks her mother, Pearl, to pull the bologna cake out of the freezer. Roll credits. New York fashion designer Melanie (Reese Witherspoon) suddenly finds herself engaged to the city's most eligible bachelor. It never bodes well when you hear youre doing a major reshoot, but it worked out.. But theres still something of a case of what-if here. Answer: Mayor of New York. My memory was that Andy felt I'm the guy and then he really went to bat for me. Addresses are not passed on to any third party, and are used solely for direct communication from this site. Does your conscience bother you? My kids were going through college so it got me thinking about a new generation of kids going to school and young love and what that would do to parents when they see their kids being real grown-ups. Tennant said Parks had a dog who would jump in the water and fetch rocks that were at the bottom. The mildly entertaining romantic comedy Sweet Home Alabama features an equally take-it-or-leave-it soundtrack that mixes country, rock, and pop and excerpts of George Fenton's score. It held the record for best September opening for a decade. I think what we were going for was she's slapping him because she's embarrassed that she suddenly showed some vulnerability. Add a different answer. Jake and Melanie do this as a practical joke. YOU'VE REACHED YOUR MONTHLY ARTICLE LIMIT. It was written in response to Neil Young's 1970 song "Southern Man", which the band felt blamed the entire South for American slavery; Young is name-checked and dissed in the lyrics. But neither can escape the fandom people have for "Sweet Home Alabama.". There's a flash of lightning and it cuts to a wedding reception. To mark the 20th anniversary of the movie's theatrical release, Insider spoke with Tennant and Lucas, who shared never-before-told stories about the making of the movie, including details about the original ending that needed to be reshot, the multiple slaps to the face Lucas took from Witherspoon for a scene that ended up being cut, and how the rom-com almost starred Charlize Theron. I was not someone who yearned to be famous and there was a point where I did see a shift. Neil Young pays tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd's Ronnie Van Zant: Alabama / Sweet Home Alabama - 11-12-77. At the end of that scene, where I say, "Go home," originally we shot it where Reese slaps me and then walks away. There are only two hitches. So I enjoyed Witherspoon and the local color, but I am so very tired of the underlying premise. "Watergate doesn't bother me" because that stuff happens in politicsbut someone's conscience ought to bother them for what happened to Wallace. ", Josh Lucas began acting at 19 and found work through his 20s on TV shows and movies; he even a did a TV series in Australia. It reached number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1974, becoming the . [10], Last edited on 25 February 2023, at 05:08, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Various - Sweet Home Alabama (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) on Apple Music", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sweet_Home_Alabama_(film)&oldid=1141461745, Hollywood Makeup Artist and Hair Stylist Guild Award, Gary Rossington, Ronnie Van Zant, Edward King, Avril Lavigne, David Alspach, Lauren Christy, Graham Edwards, Matt Cantor, Pete Chill, Aston Harvey, Tenor Fly, "Felony Melanie - Sweet Home Alabama Suite (Score)", This page was last edited on 25 February 2023, at 05:08. ", The only reason "Sweet Home Alabama" was made was because of "Legally Blonde. Download Sweet Home Alabama stock photos. Cue tissues. She ends up marrying him instead of her fiance. It was interesting because I had this moment where I was like, "Really?" Reese Witherspoon has good chemistry with both Patrick Dempsey and Josh Lucas. (31,898) 6.2 1 h 48 min 2002 X-Ray PG-13. So, its hard for me to get it back. Its on the campus of Berry College in Rome, Georgia. The loss of their kid, the loss of their dreams, the loss of innocence, all that stuff. January 1, 2002 13 Songs, 48 minutes This Compilation 2002 Hollywood Records, Inc. Everyone had passed on it in town. Yet a different denouement was filmed that would have seen the pair embracing only to be promptly struck by lightning. Never work with kids or animals. We shot it at the actual Tiffany's in New York City. It has come and gone ever since and I'm now way further beyond that where I don't give it much credence either way. Sweet Home Alabama was the first film allowed to shoot in New York City after the September 11, 2001 attacks. These numbers may not look so striking now, but they were, in the context of 17 years ago, really quite something. The general public didn't notice the words 'Boo! Sweet Home Alabama. Jake and Melanie do this as a practical joke. 7. Tennant: I don't know why we thought that was really funny. Apparently, I did. Felony Melanie - Sweet Home Alabama Suite (Score) George Fenton. (Witherspoon's rep told Insider she was unavailable to be interviewed for this story. Tennant has written a treatment for a sequel about Witherspoon's character's child going to college. Kepulangan Melanie ke Alabama pun berubah menjadi momen kurang mengenakkan bagi orang-orang di sekitarnya. There was a silence on the phone for quite a while. As Melanie is walking across the battlefield looking for her father she steps across 'dead bodies'. But that's as close as I got. Lucas: There wasn't much heat on the movie, we didn't have the premiere at a glitzy theater, but what happened there is to this day one of the strangest experiences of my life. I felt that I had become a star overnight and I had zero anticipation of that. Tennant recalled taking a trip to the South before rewriting the movie, and that helped cement its southern feel. She begins to cry, but about much more than the loss of her dog. My producing partner and my editor, who are both women, were in the edit room with me. The film takes its title . Trivia: During the film's original outdoor reception Jake carries Melanie, who feigns death after having supposedly been struck by a lightening bolt, towards the wedding guests. Played by Katharine Towne, the character was cut from the film after test audiences were confused about her relationship with Andrew. As Melanie is walking across the battlefield looking for her father she steps across 'dead bodies'. Andy told me there would be an honesty to it. ", Tennant: I have done two movies with Josh, I love Josh. A list about the best ships in the DR franchise so far!Enjoy!Sources: thetoptensMusic: Despair Searching - Remix Cover (Danganronpa V3: . [3], Roger Ebert, critic for the Chicago Sun Times, awarded it three-out-of-four stars, commenting, "It is a fantasy, a sweet, light-hearted fairy tale with Reese Witherspoon at its center. The film tells the story of Melanie Smooter, a Southern girl from a small town who becomes estranged from her past after she moves to New York to become a fashion designer. I would love to do a "Sweet Home Alabama 2.". Melanie confesses that she still loves Jake and cancels the wedding. Another part of "Sweet Home Alabama" was also controversial in its reference to George Wallace, the governor of Alabama and supporter of racial segregation: In Birmingham, they love the governor (boo boo boo) She is cornered there by Kate's assistant, sent to gather information on Melanie's background. I've done two movies with her, I did "Ever After" and this. "All Summer Long" also samples Warren Zevon's "Werewolves of London", which has similar chord progression to "Sweet Home Alabama". Sweet Home Alabama is a 2002 American romantic comedy film directed by Andy Tennant.Written by C. Jay Cox, it stars Reese Witherspoon, Josh Lucas and Patrick Dempsey.The supporting cast includes Fred Ward, Mary Kay Place, Jean Smart, Candice Bergen, Ethan Embry, and Melanie Lynskey.It was released in the United States on September 27, 2002, by Buena Vista Pictures. There were moments where I felt it was an incredible blessing and other times, like that paparazzi incident, were terrifying. Also, I had four young kids to feed at the time. I mean, truly attacked. [7] 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. When I did the rewrite with Rick, I don't think she was a fan and so everybody parted ways. At the time, it had the highest September opening weekend, surpassing Rush Hour. The audience loved the movie up until that shot. "When we showed it to a test audience the whole room was just like, 'What the fuck!'" he said. Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. (01:06:40). I agree with TheWrap's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy and provide my consent to receive marketing communications from them. when she dreams. "Sweet Home Alabama" is a song by American southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, released on the band's second album Second Helping (1974). It's just a lovely scene that has subtext, which Reese played beautifully. So at the premiere, I took my mom and had some of my friends and there was a party afterwards. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . It was a Civil War reenactment going on eight or 10 miles away. And my memory is on the second or third day, Andy came up to me and said, "Disney absolutely loves what you're doing, we're free." Melanie's New York friends arrive for the event. This is why Reese says, "People need a passport to come down here." Witherspoon landed the lead role ahead of Charlize Theron, who was also considered, and the movie which co-stars Josh Lucas and Patrick Dempsey then plays out as something of a fairy tale. The clips shown in the credits of the movie; is the child featured in their now happy lives, Witherspoons' daughter Ava? All rights reserved. We needed someone who looked like Reese, and Dakota was 40 years old when she was 10. There, she became a socialite, but after nearly a decade away, she needs to come back home to secure a divorce from her husband. Lynyrd Skynyrd originally released Sweet Home Alabama written by Ed King, Gary Rossington and Ronnie Van Zant and Lynyrd Skynyrd released it on the album Second Helping in 1974. Check out the mistake & trivia books, on Kindle and in paperback. The film ultimately ends with Witherspoons character staying with her ex-husband, and the pair of them get married again. It was released in the United States on September 27, 2002, by Buena Vista Pictures. In addition, Dakota Fanning and Thomas Curtis appear briefly as the childhood versions of Melanie and Jake, respectively. I don't know if anybody else wanted me, and I mean Disney (which released the movie by its then theatrical distribution arm, Buena Vista Pictures) and everyone from the power positions. So there were some intense moments. Tennant: When we tested the movie, people really didn't like the slap so we cut around it. It's a riddle to me. He claimed that the song was originally intended as the unabashed defense of Alabama, and even Wallace, that the song appears to be: {{blockquote|I can understand where the "boo boo boo" would be misunderstood. Reese Witherspoon terrific heartfelt performance makes this movie work. Lucas: I was scared of being famous. Toward the end of the movie, Melanie's gay Black friend Frederick (Nathan Lee Graham) is in her mother's (Mary Kay Place) trailer talking about her decorative spoon collection. It stars Reese Witherspoon, who plays an Alabama-born fashion designer living in NYC. I dont know why we thought that was really funny, director Andy Tennant told Insider. There was an intensity of pain and past and history. Because you can leer, you know, and because people definitely have the full thing, and with that you can over do it. The site's critics consensus reads: "Reese Witherspoon is charming enough, but the road to Alabama is well-traveled. to get Wallace elected. The reaction of Melanie's mother at the supposed death of her daughter apparently upset the test audiences so much, that the production crew reshot the whole reception scene, minus the practical joke. There's this motto: Act like a movie star and people will treat you like a movie star. Sweet Home Alabama was the first film allowed to shoot in New York City after the September 11, 2001 attacks. Tennant: I think what happens is you get the cast you deserve Reese was coming off a huge hit with "Legally Blonde," Patrick Dempsey had done movies before but he was the '80s heartthrob and this was his start as a leading man, and then Josh was unknown so I think if there was any kind of nervousness on Josh's part he should have seen what it was like in my head. But Melanie's past holds many secrets, including Jake (Josh Lucas), the . Addresses are not passed on to any third party, and are used solely for direct communication from this site. In the original ending of the movie, Melanie leaves her wedding and races to the beach to reconcile with Jake. What happens next undermines that ending, though, as her husband seemingly carries the corpse of Melanie back into the wedding reception and announces that shes dead. 7 biggest mistakes in Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens, The 20 biggest mistakes in The Wizard of Oz, 40 biggest mistakes in The Big Bang Theory, 6 Cool things you've never noticed in movies, The biggest mistakes in the Harry Potter movies, 25 mistakes you never noticed in great movies, 7 mistakes in Beetlejuice you never spotted, More questions & answers from Sweet Home Alabama. Answer: It was only humane from Melanie's skewed, immature-at-the-time perspective, believing the cat would be killed instantly. (c) universal music publishing, inc. You can see tucked into the top of her left boot the battery pack for her microphone and the wires going up her skirt. Reference: Quiz: Sweet Quiz Alabama . I think my big takeaway for the rewrite for me and my writing partner, Rick Parks, was that in the original script, I think the fianc of Reese's character was a complete tool and the guy down South was a hunky, handsome guy. Since "All Summer Long"'s release, the original song has also charted at number 44 on the UK Singles Chart. She tells him they are still married, they return to what would have been Melanie and Andrew's reception, and finally, have their first dance as husband and wife. It is sampled by Kid Rock. But poor Josh was whacked a good number of times. When the movie got to like 13 to 14 years later, I started thinking where they would all be. [6][7][8][9], 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. And on top of that Josh's character comes in and says he's really happy for her. During the film's original outdoor reception Jake carries Melanie, who feigns death after having supposedly been struck by a lightening bolt, towards the wedding guests. The Reese Witherspoon-headlined romcom Sweet Home Alabama nearly took a bit of a dark turn. The interviews have been condensed and edited for clarity. Jake: The only reason I ain't signing is cause you've turned into some hoity-toity Yankee bitch, and I'd like nothing better right now than to piss you off. What is humane about blowing it up and if it was gonna die of cancer all those years ago why is it still roaming around town? The romantic comedy originally ended with a fake-out that Reese Witherspoons character was dead. But things get complicated once Melanie comes face-to-face with Jake again. I never had that mentality. Buy our Film Stories and Film Stories Junior print magazineshere. Katharine 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. View All Credits 1 693.6K 126. That part was eventually cut out of the movie. In an interview with Garden & Gun, Rossington explained the writing process: "I had this little riff. The coonhound cemetery was on Moore Street in Crawfordville and the bar was located at Heavy's Barbecue near the town. Lynyrd Skynyrd. "Sweet Home Alabama" was a major chart hit for a band whose previous singles had "lazily sauntered out into release with no particular intent." Tennant: Melanie slapped Jake for a variety of reasons. Tennant: When I hear people still holding it dear to their heart I end up calling Josh and going, "God, I wish we were making Sweet Home Alabama 2. Being from Illinois and I live in New York, I was fascinated by the history and I was always surprised by how generous, kind, and friendly the people in the South were. And she told me how a former boyfriend had proposed there. She's recalling the life she had with Jake and the baby they lost due to her miscarriage. Lucas: We were in it. Weekend Song. Everyone was like, "OK, that was easy. In her recollection, her initial response was negative: "[Clydie King] said the song was 'Sweet Home Alabama.' "sweet home alabama" written by ronnie van zant, gary robert rossington, edward c. king. I think he was a stock-car driver. There was this scene late in shooting where we were in the bar and we were playing pool and I had done something, I don't even remember what I did, but Andy turned to me and was like, "My God, when did you become funny? D Carry me C home to see my G kin. She's great and committed, I knew she was going to be big. D I miss'ole' ' C bamy once a G gain (and I think it's a sin) D Well, I heard ole C Neil put her G down. Question: The clips shown in the credits of the movie; is the child featured in their now happy lives, Witherspoons' daughter Ava? 3:58. I still like the plaque that hangs here in my office that says I'm an honorary member of the Alabama State Militiasigned personally by George C. Sure, the man had his flaws. Tagged: Sweet Home Alabama, First Love. Busy city girl comes to her rural idealic small town. That would hardly have played well in 2002, and itd be a fair bet itd knock even more progressive audiences today pretty much off their feet. Lucas: Reese was very unsure of me and had no reason not to be. We were the first movie to shoot there on the location since "Breakfast at Tiffany's.". Jake announces, "Melanie Carmichael is dead" but then a few seconds later he says, "Long live Felony Melanie." It was something I had never experienced before or since. Lucas has built an impressive career that includes movies like "Hulk," "Glory Road," and "Ford v Ferrari." Netflix April 2020: Whats Coming & Going, Binge-Worthy Iconic Movie Franchises And How Long It Takes, Netflix October 2019: Whats Coming & Going, Netflix September 2019: Whats Coming & Going, 7 Things You Didnt Know About Sweet Home Alabama. Reese Witherspoon was at the height of her box office powers when she decided to take the lead in Sweet Home Alabama.By this stage in the early 2000s, she'd built a career quickly and impressively off a mix of very smart choices and very savvy commercial picks. Literally, Nina Jacobson, head of Buena Vista Pictures, walked up the aisle before the lights had even come up and said to me, "We're reshooting the ending.". Angry, Jake leaves to meet some friends at a local bar without signing the papers. It is , however, a good. With this film, Witherspoon solidified herself as a rom-com queen. Josh has that kind of charisma and star power that's rare. And she said, "I made this movie nobody is going to see. Wanneer u onze sites en apps gebruikt, gebruiken we, gebruikers authenticeren, veiligheidsmaatregelen toepassen en spam en misbruik voorkomen, en, gepersonaliseerde advertenties en content weergeven op basis van interesseprofielen, de effectiviteit meten van gepersonaliseerde advertenties en content, en, onze producten en services ontwikkelen en verbeteren. Use them in commercial designs under lifetime, perpetual & worldwide rights. The reaction of Melanie's mother at the supposed death of her daughter apparently upset the test audiences so much, that the production crew reshot the whole reception scene, minus the practical joke. [11] The lyrics to "Sweet Home Alabama" include the following lines: Well, I heard Mister Young sing about herWell, I heard ol' Neil put her downWell, I hope Neil Young will rememberA Southern man don't need him around anyhow, In Young's 2012 autobiography Waging Heavy Peace, he commented on his song: "My own song 'Alabama' richly deserved the shot Lynyrd Skynyrd gave me with their great record. Melanie follows and gets drunk, insults her old school friends, and outs her longtime friend, Bobby Ray. Show 1 more answer. [5], The song remains a staple in southern and classic rock, and is arguably the band's signature song. Reese Witherspoon was at the height of her box office powers when she decided to take the lead in Sweet Home Alabama. "Southern Comforts: 25 Best Songs About the South", "Unfurling 'Sweet Home Alabama,' A Tapestry Of Southern Discomfort", "The 25 Greatest Lynyrd Skynyrd Songs of All Time", Cash Box Top 100 Singles, October 19, 1974, "Lynyrd Skynyrd Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)", Cash Box Year-End Charts: Top 100 Pop Singles, December 28, 1974, "Danish single certifications Lynyrd Skynyrd Sweet Home Alabama", "Italian single certifications Lynyrd Skynyrd Sweet Home Alabama", "British single certifications Lynyrd Skynyrd Sweet Home Alabama", "American single certifications Lynyrd Skynyrd Sweet Home Alabama", Recording Industry Association of America, "Lynyrd Skynyrd Song Turns Alabama Tourist Theme", State's New License Plates Feature Beach Scene and 'Sweet Home Alabama', "Dave Mustaine wrote a Metallica song ripping off "Sweet Home Alabama". Tennant: Rick and I drove around Alabama. During the film's original outdoor reception Jake carries Melanie, who feigns death after having supposedly been struck by a lightening bolt, towards the wedding guests. Learn more about the full cast of Sweet Home Alabama with news, photos, videos and more at TV Guide . Pet cemeteries, just like human, have sturdy stone headstones to withstand the elements, not plastic. Director Andy Tennant directed TV shows in the 1980s ("The Wonder Years," "Parker Lewis Can't Lose," "The Adventures of Brisco Country, Jr"), then moved to feature films in the mid-1990s ("It Takes Two," "Fools Rush In," "Ever After: A Cinderella Story").
