Sometimes a reviewer's schedule presents conflicts. We can't all make all the screenings. This is a film whose screening I missed. However, despite being overloaded, I still wanted to see it. A week after release, I finally viewed it at a regular theater this weekend. "Sweet Home Alabama" was well worth my effort.

Light, fun, well layered, paced, scripted, directed, acted; the picture is fun and engaging, dishing out a double dose of good old Southern Comfort. Seasoned with cute (appropriately schmaltzy) little analogies for life, "Sweet Home" lives up to its name.

Reese, as always, is completely believable and infinitely sympathetic despite her character's floundering/toggling personality. Actually, Patrick Dempsey as her Yankee fiancée is marvelous as well, the controlled-conflict scenes with his hard-nosed mother the mayor (Candace Bergen) are awesome. I think there's a whole movie just in that relationship.

Josh Lucas as Jake (Reese's southern baggage) gives up a fine performance to boot.

Save for a sticky scene in which Reese walks a reporter around the plantation, the film executes perfectly.

An all audience pleaser.