Reese Witherspoon has come a long way since her debut in the wonderful and little seen Man in the Moon. She's given us pure, comic electricity (see Election), bold and risky (see Twilight), and proof that her charm can carry a movie (see Legally Blonde). With Sweet Home Alabama, Witherspoon's likability is once again a major factor.

In the new romantic comedy, Witherspoon is Melanie Carmichael, a fashion designer who's about to marry the kind son (Patrick Dempsey) of a reputable, but all too possessive politician (Candice Bergen). Before this holy union can take place, however, Melanie must go back to her tiny hometown in Alabama to sever old ties. The main one being an old flame (Josh Lucas). Of course when the now successful big city girl returns to her old stomping grounds, she begins to feel a tug on the heart strings.

I'm not about to tell you that Sweet Home Alabama wreaks of originality. It is predictable to say the least, but Tennant and his cast ooze such charm and grace, that you're able to watch this simplistic movie for what it is. An exercise in pure sweetness. There isn't a villain to be found in this film (although Bergen comes close).

Witherspoon lights up the screen even when she insists on being mean, and as good as she is, it is the supporting cast that makes this breezy comedy work. Dempsey (who got his start doing 80's comedy fare like Can't Buy Me Love) is extremely likable as Andrew, Melanie's New York fiancee. Fred Ward and Mary Kay Place are an absolute hoot as Melanie's loving parents. Lucas (A Beautiful Mind) is a solid romantic lead as Jake. My favorite turn comes from Ethan Embry (That Thing You Do) as a sweet natured local with an interesting little secret. The entire cast really seem to be having a good time and it comes across on screen.

Sweet Home Alabama won't win any awards for writing. Early on, you will probably figure out who's going to win Melanie's heart, but that's the goal of the romantic comedy. It's common in movies like this to know the outcome. The joy is in watching the goofy characters on screen figure it out.

Sweet Home Alabama is the perfect date movie. It's star, Reese Witherspoon, probably has another hit on her hands. At the moment, she just bagged a fifteen million dollar payday to do a Legally Blonde sequel. This star is certainly on the rise.