If you're looking for a fresh, cutting-edge, or unusual film, skip this. But if you just want to relax with a sweet, predictable (not always a bad thing) and feel-good movie with a few fabulous characters, I vote yes. I did find Renee Zellweger's plastic appearance distracting at first, but she's still charming and a solid comedic actress. Harry Connick Jr. likewise turns in a good performance. But my favorites by far were the secretary, the factory foreman (whom you will surely recognize) and all the townspeople, with enough warmth to melt the iciest of hearts. Realistic? No. Did I care? Not one bit. The movie left me smiling and that was enough.

This was a parody of sorts as I have friends in New Ulm and it's not as "Minnesotan" as it's portrayed. But the core values, work ethics are pretty accurate.
It's great to see a movie in the day and age with no vulgarity to speak of, no t&a or lewd and lurid undertones. I watch this with my grands anytime as in many ways it reiterate the values we tried to instill in our children and are now being taught to my grands. Good solid midwestern values and I love it.

I can't say enough about this movie - it is an old-fashioned romance with good likable characters and enough laughable moments to thoroughly enjoy it.
Renee Zellweger just has the knack for comedic timing. Harry Connick was the perfect foil for her character. It is a predictable plot but that is why it's so good. You can just relax and enjoy knowing there won't be some psychological harbinger of mental complexity one will spend years wondering (if).
It was made in 2009 and this is the first I knew anything about it. JUst Watch

As a Minnesotan, my video library contains some "must own" classics such as Fargo and Grumpy/Grumpier Old Men, those stereotypical movies we watch and laugh at ourselves when it's too cold to go outside and do anything productive. So when I learned of another "Minnesota classic", it piqued my interest.

I hemmed and I hawed about renting vs. buying, I didn't know if it would be worth the extra watches. If I was not a Minnesotan, I probably would have settled for renting, been happy with the one view, and moving on with my life. But since this has a (fictional) connection to my life, I thought maybe I just better buy it, and I'm glad I did, I can see this going into the regular rotation.

The story is "aww", predictable, standard romcom fare. But it's a feelgood story that you won't regret watching. I expected as much, so it doesn't lose a star there for me. Sometimes the familiar is comfortable and the reason we watch something. But I did knock it down a star because the Minnesota tropes in this movie are surprisingly, a little overdone.

We have a way about us, for sure, but the movie amplifies it, likely for comedic effect, but it's just not realistic. That said, when I want to laugh at "my people", this will be a good way to do it. Minnesotan or not, I recommend this movie.

The other reviews of this movie perplex me. It is not a laugh-out-loud comedy. It is more of a feel-good movie. It is predictable, but enjoyable. Some reviewers took offense at the portrayal of the Minnesota characters. I didn't find them laughable; I found them welcoming, honest, hard-working, & kindhearted folks.

Harry Connick Jr. is a little of out of his league with Renee Zellweger and J.K. Simmons; the amazing chemistry, that he had with Sandra Bullock on Hope Floats, is not there to boost his performance. (That is why I rated it 4 star instead of 5.)

The movie takes a little bit to warm up to, but it was delightful. (Not alot of cursing. No gratuitous sex or violence. Total PG-13 movie. )

Renee is absolutely precious. She really makes this movie a charming and well executed story. Sure the Minnesotan's might have been a bit of a stereotype but hey folks, it's a comedy, so it's meant to be a lighthearted poking fun at the culture, and it turns out to be very sweet and endearing. It really depicts the daily grind of what it would be like to be a "city girl" who is accustomed to luxury to suddenly be dropped into sub-zero humble living, and boy does it make for great comedy. Oh ya, there's a love story in there too. Great movie all in all. A pleasure to watch

Maybe it was back in 2009. It lacked chemistry in just about every way. What stood out the most to me was how it kept trudging along with the town and the plant workers pretty much hating her, and understandably so. Then after one night stuck in the snow on the side of the road, depressed and getting drunk, eventually to be "rescued" by the union worker she's grown to hate, the rest of the movie begins this uncharacteristic uptick of her suddenly being accepted. And likewise of her accepting them. Like all of a sudden they all care about each other.... Where was the build up to everyone's change of hearts? .... There wasn't even any hint of romance or flirtation or of a budding relationship until half way through this boring waste of time.

If you need a movie to help you get away for awhile, without leaving the house, then get lost for an hour or so and go from Miami to Minnesota with this Super Feel Good Movie!! Couldn't stop watching it if I wanted to! Harry Connick Jr. is a good reason not too for sure! A little on the predictable side because everything turns up just perfect in the end... but getting there is a fun cinematic journey. So enjoy some REALLY funny moments, a few tear jerker moments too. It was sweet, funny and witty, kind of like Renee Zellweger, but then all her movies are. Enjoy!