MovieChat Forums > Sweet Home Alabama (2002) Discussion > Was Anyone From Alabama Offended by this...

Was Anyone From Alabama Offended by this Movie???

posted 22 years ago by kerryandtodd
277 replies | jump to latest

Come on guys.. we have got to stand up for ourselves.. this movie is an insult to the people of Alabama.. Although I don't deny we do have the "redneck,,white trash,beat up truck driving,beer drinking,baby making "billy bob".. but it definately does not represent the MAJORITY of Alabama. We are very classy, & well educated; and we have not JUST recently discovered recliners! If you do not live in or have never visited our beautiful State .. Please do not judge Alabama by this movie. Granted the hospitality & manners were right on!

I have an aunt who is 58 years old and has lived in New York for 40 years ^^^ she recently moved to Alabama because when she visited every Thanksgiving/Christmas she fell in love with the people and State as a whole. Although she does make fun of our southern accent a little.. I tell her as Jake told Melanie . just because we talk slow doesn't mean we're dumb! ;-)

[–] i_heart_remus_lupin 16 years ago

I live in a small town in eastern Alabama. I wasn't offended because I know that's how small towns are! I understand how some people can take offense because they think the portrayal is inaccurate; however, in some places in Alabama, the movie is almost right on. Alabama is a beautiful state with wonderful people. We do have our large share of rednecks around here. However, this isn't for all of Alabama. The movie is about small-town Alabama, so I don't think that people should be too offended. Drive down any road in any small town in Alabama and you'll see run down trailer parks, yards full of broken down cars, and old Ford trucks with rebel flag stickers on the back with guns and beer cans. It's just the way it is, people. I love the movie, and I love Alabama.

[–] evil_henchman 16 years ago

"but it definately does not represent the MAJORITY of Alabama."

Does anything ever? There usually is no typical "whatever".

But it really isn't the movie makers fault, if people take all their information out of movies, I'm sure they didn't intend to deliver such a message with this story.

I've seen the movie and I didn't think once that it's representative for Alabama. The movie shows just a few people in one single town... The story and all the characters are fiction...

[–] oldskool2121 16 years ago

Well not really offended. Im not offended easily. but ya its stupid how hollywood looks down at anything that isnt new york or california

[–] Ichabod_Fletchman 16 years ago

Maybe it's because I'm not from Alabama, but I didn't see it as a really offending portrayal of Alabama. It looked like it was just a close nit, small town that could've been anywhere. Maybe they over used the song a bit , but I wouldn't look down on anyone from a town like that. I was actually kind of amused by Jake: Just because I talk slow doesn't mean I'm stupid.

Those who believe in telekinesis, raise my hand.

[–] gonzo-63 16 years ago

I wasn't offended in the least. Hell it made me feel like I was home. I'm from Tuskegee, which is more country than you'd think, having one of the best college football teams in the country. Roll Tide! Be proud of your stupidity 'Bama. We might not have JUST discovered reliners but we still think that all you need to do is plug your tv into the outlet and your gonna HDTV. I do tech support for Samsung now and I get calls from back home. People who don't know what an antenna does. We still have the Piggly Wiggly down there and fashion is still 5 years behind. Eating out means going to the Chicken Coop. I learned to shoot pool in a jazz bar when I was 15. There are only 7 traffic lights in the whole city and you have to go to Auburn to find something as prominent as a Wal-Mart for good shopping. The big news recently was the 3 new water towers they put up. Cell phone service is virtually non-existant and if you want to pay at the pump you have only one option. And despite all the negatives about home, watching this movie actually made me miss it. The quiet out at the old house. The backwoods road where not another car comes by for about 3 hrs at a time. Stop signs rule the roadway and no one take the highway to get from city to city but instead we use the backroads. The old landmarks like Booker T Washington's house, the house from Gone With The Wind and Tuskegee University.

www.myspace.com/lilgonzito

[–] cledustjudd2888 16 years ago

At least you all had fun stereotypes...the redneck thing is pretty funny and cool at the same time.....all we have from Wyoming are *beep* cowboys thanks to Brokeback Mountain.....I go back to my roots in Indiana and all they think of when they see Wyoming is Brokeback fags and sheep-raping lunatics.....

Wyoming is not like that at all. Some of the best people I have ever met come from Wyoming. Worst stereotype ever laid on Wyoming...thanks to a book/move written by an ignorant woman from the East coast...I would burn all of Brokeback if I could..we don't tolerate gay or sheep jokes.

[–] k_is_for_kate000 16 years ago

I understand what you mean (in a way).

I am from New Zealand, and a LOT of people seem to think our country is populated with hobbits, and we all have incredibly hairy feet.

I have talked to my friends from other countries (we are a big country for immigration) and most of them were told by friends/family members that the Maori people (New Zealand's equivalent to American Indians) are cannibals who do war dance/chant things, and cook their food in the ground (these are traditions, not everyday occurences).

They also think we all wear grass skirts and flax cloaks.
It's just great.
We are actually just as civilised as the US or the UK btw.

P.S Melanie Lynskey (who plays Lurlynn) is from New Zealand. And I just like that fact. hah.

[–] HillbillySavant 16 years ago

HOBBITS?!? For real? That's hilarious!

I'm from Alabama (Birmingham and later Huntsville, which is not exactly typical of Alabama) and was at first offended (when Reese's character acts so utterly ashamed of her home state) but felt that Alabama was somewhat vindicated by the end of the movie. I mean, it is just a movie. Anyone who's stupid enough to get all his or her information from Hollywood is too stupid to have his or her mind changed by a post on IMDB anyway.

Democracy: 2 wolves, 1 lamb voting on a lunch menu. Liberty: A well-armed lamb disputing the vote.

[–] Ace_Moonshot 16 years ago

We are actually just as civilised as the US or the UK btw.

I would say that is putting it mildly. I use New Zealand all the time as a bit of an example of how countries can be. How we, the US, or the rest of the world can improve to be more like you. You compared the Maori to American Indian, one thing is really different, you made treaties and stood by them. Not let avarice and xenophobia corrupt them. You were the first, or near first in so many great things. Things America likes to think we leads the world in. Control of nuclear weapons. Indigenous people immediately in the government. Suffrage. The Diggers exemplified courage and patriotism.

I'm from the American South and I liked the cast of Sweet Home Alabama. But that is it. I found it quite insulting. But mostly I was embarrassed for the actors. I was actually embarrassed for them. The stuff they said and the way they acted was cringe-worthy. I was ashamed when watching this not because I'm Southern but because actors whose work I had liked in the past sunk so low.

In me are 2 dogs. 1's evil & 1's good. They fight constantly. The winner's the one I feed the most.

[–] k_is_for_kate000 16 years ago

When I compared Maori people to American Indian people, I was meaning that they are the nations indigenous race (well as far as I know, I've never studied the USA at school except for its involvement in the wars). I didn't mean anything else.

You said: "Things America likes to think we leads the world in. Control of nuclear weapons. Indigenous people immediately in the government. Suffrage. The Diggers exemplified courage and patriotism."
To be honest, as a 15 year old, I don't have the faintest idea what you're talking about, sorry.

But yes, I do agree with you on the acting in the film, it certainly isn't brilliant.

[–] zimpiko28 16 years ago

The stupid movie shouldn't even share the name of the same title of the song! It's so bad! I bet this movie insults Alabamians as "New In Town" insults Minnesotans (considering I am a Minnesotan)...

[–] Fik_Du 16 years ago

Well I do have one question for anybody who lives in the "Deep South". And I say deep south because I've lived in MD for pretty much entire life and altough we and VA are south of the Masy dixie (Whatever it is) line we don't quite have the same feel.

So my question is why what importance of the Confederate Flag.

And before somebody asks me what is my view of the American flag, I'll go right ahead and say it.
I Don't care about it. It's a flag, it doesn't represent me or any particular person living within in it's region.
That being said, I'm sure i'm gonna get a lot people who say or feel, "It's heritage"

so for those people, I understand.

However a lot of blacks/african american people find it offensive. [Just for the record, to me its like the American Flag... it's just a flag]

But just for knowledge sake, I'm a mutt, I have different ethnic backgrounds and don't hate or love any of them.

But recently, since I became 21, I noticed a lot more people asking me where I was from (all black people), and everytime I answer I ask 'Why"

There answer is all the same...
'Cause I sound like a white girl.'

Forgive me for sounding like a free spirit, but why does a race or even an ethnic background have to be associated with personality or even a way of life?

anyone care to answer

[–] 16 years ago

[deleted]

[–] DaytonaBob 16 years ago

Wow, I never realized how sensitive Southerners were.

Can I ask you all...excuse me...y'all where you get your panties and bra?

You THINK you got insulted by a movie? Can you imagine if Californians were as sensitive as you pantywaist Southerners? Hell there ain't hardly any part of California's demographics that hasn't been insulted by movies, politicians, radio talk show hosts, AND SOUTHERNERS?

Grow up and grow a pair.

Geeez.

They who give up liberty to
obtain a temporary safety deserve
neither liberty or safety

[–] lessthan_zero 15 years ago

Whoa Daytona Bob, simmer down! simma-don-ah! (+10 if you get the reference)

I'm from Alabama and I found the movie cute and endearing. While I've never been to a town as extreme as Pigeon Creek, I've been to towns pretty darn close..(millry, sweetwater, for those who are familiar). I'm from Southern Alabama around the Mobile and Eastern Shore area. The town I live in is actually incredibly wealthy and is home to a historic, luxurious resort. Mobile is a growing metropolis and has made Forbes lists of cities to watch! We have an amazing art scene and live on a beautiful bay that opens into the gulf of mexico. I live 30 minutes from the beautiful beaches and less than an hour from the Florida line (which is home to the world-renowned Flora-Bama bar!)

The only thing particular to my neck of the woods that outsiders may find strange or off-putting is the caste system of old money. Old money controls much of Alabama, from where your children go to school, what greek organization they join at the U of Alabama, state politics, your social status, debutante balls, certain wealthy last names, etc.

If any of my fellow Alabamians were offended, my advice is to learn to laugh at yourself!

Alabama is a beautiful state filled with wonderful people...I'm sure anyone who visits can echo my sentiments.

[–] tough-buff 15 years ago

Wow this thread is like 6 years old...neat.

- Zephyr

[–] davemc-1 15 years ago

Yes, I was offended-- I was born in AL and soon will return after I begin my retirement. I am weary of movies that characterize residents of AL as such beer swilling, goofy men and women that are eccentric and bordering on stupid.
How refreshing it would be to see a movie with the very real and non-redneck
residents of the south that reflect education, a decent vocabulary and interest in other things than football and hunting.

[–] basketball_chica9119 15 years ago

I'm from Alabama, and I find this movie hilarious, entertaining, and fairly true! I've lived out of state for several years, so I may have a different view of the place. Also, to the people that are offended, I think it portrays Alabama in a positive light. They may seem eccentric/weird/redneck to outsiders but there is a lot of love in small towns.

But the stereotypes of high school friends still hanging around each other 10+ years later, reminiscing about high school football, with pet dogs named after U of Alabama dinosaurs/mascots = spot on.

"Christ, I miss the Cold War,"
- Casino Royale

[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Griever_2112 15 years ago

Truly you need to take this with a grain of salt. I've experienced southern people (I myself hail from NYC) and they are some of the nicest people I've ever met in my life. But you must take into consideration, this was mentioend before but is a great point. Pigeion Creek is the equilvalent of *beep* USA, every state has some hick town that seems to be a "bit behind" the cities. Hell, my friend's Dad lives in upstate New York, and he has told me it's like going to a hick town in the south, (no offense but this is just the point I'm making) see, we got them all over, and if Alabama is offended by this, so should people from Georgia, Missisipi, texas.

It's like that stripey bag is mocking me... *beep* you stripey bag.