<P> The movie title and theme song lyrics are from the "Sweet Home Alabama" song by Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, that first appeared in 1974 on their second album, Second Helping . </P> <P> This film received mostly mixed reviews from critics . On Rotten Tomatoes, 38% of critics gave the film positive reviews, based on 157 reviews . </P> <P> 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 . She is as lovable as Doris Day would have been in this role...So I enjoyed Witherspoon and the local color, but I am so very tired of the underlying premise ." </P> <P> Andrew Sarris, critic for the New York Observer, said that the movie "Would be an unendurable viewing experience for this ultra-provincial New Yorker if 26 - year - old Reese Witherspoon were not on hand to inject her pure fantasy character, Melanie Carmichael, with a massive infusion of old - fashioned Hollywood magic ." </P>

Who plays the little girl in sweet home alabama