"You can take the girl out of the honky-tonk, but you can't take the honky-tonk out of the girl" runs the logic behind this southern-fried follow-up to the comic hi-jinks of "Legally Blonde".

As high-concept ideas go, it was hardly likely to set light bulbs flashing over anyone's head. But with Reese Witherspoon back in the driving seat, it didn't have to be a work of genius.

Having already stormed the US box office, "Sweet Home Alabama" follows New York fashion designer Melanie (Witherspoon) as she heads back to Pigeon Creek, Alabama, to settle some unfinished business with her high school husband Jake (Lucas).

Melanie is scheduled to marry New York's most eligible bachelor (Dempsey), but unless Jake gives her a quick divorce, the secrets of her redneck past are going to be splashed all over the front page of the New York Times.

"Sweet Home Alabama" is weighed down by redneck stereotypes, patronising gags, and some ludicrous feelgood moments (Melanie accidentally outs one of the town's boys, but everyone just pats him on the back and buys him another Bud).

This would never have made it to the screen if it weren't for Witherspoon.

Playing every ace in her stock of perky, kooky, charming mannerisms, she's the only thing that makes this misguided cash-in on "Legally Blonde" worth watching, proving her current status as the queen of Hollywood comedy, ya'all.