If you were around in 2002, you probably remember the neon-pink marketing blitz for The Sweetest Thing. It was everywhere. Cameron Diaz was at the absolute peak of her powers, fresh off the massive success of Charlie’s Angels. On paper, it looked like a slam dunk. You had Diaz, Christina Applegate, and Selma Blair playing three best friends in San Francisco, navigating the "single in the city" trope with a raunchy, R-rated twist.
Then the reviews came out.
The critics didn't just dislike it; they seemed personally offended by it. Roger Ebert famously put it on his "Worst of 2002" list. To the high-brow gatekeepers of the early 2000s, it was a "collection of hit-or-miss gags" with a plot thinner than a silk slip dress. But here’s the thing: if you talk to a certain segment of Millennials today, they’ll quote this movie back to you line for line. There is a massive gap between what the "experts" thought and how the actual audience felt. Honestly, that's what makes the sweetest thing cameron diaz film such a fascinating case study in cult cinema.
Breaking the "Pretty Girl" Rules
Back then, women in rom-coms were allowed to be clumsy—think Julia Roberts spilling wine—but they weren't really allowed to be gross.
Writer Nancy Pimental, who came straight from the writers' room of South Park, wanted to change that. She wrote the script based on her own life and her friendship with Kate Walsh. She didn't want a "soft" movie. She wanted to capture how women actually talked when men weren't in the room. This meant period jokes, bathroom mishaps, and the infamous "Penis Song," a musical number so over-the-top that it was actually cut from the original U.S. theatrical release and relegated to the unrated DVD.
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It was bold. Maybe too bold for 2002.
The film follows Christina Walters (Diaz), a "commitment-phobe" interior designer who meets Peter (Thomas Jane) at a club. Instead of the typical slow-burn romance, the movie quickly pivots into a chaotic road trip. Christina and Courtney (Applegate) drive to a wedding to find Peter, encountering everything from a literal "glory hole" mishap to an exploding toilet along the way.
A Cast That Went for Broke
You have to give credit to the trio at the center of this. Diaz, Applegate, and Blair have incredible chemistry. They aren't just acting like friends; they feel like they’ve known each other for a decade.
- Cameron Diaz: She was paid a staggering $15 million for this—over a third of the $43 million budget. While some critics thought she was "above" this kind of humor, her willingness to look ridiculous is what keeps the movie grounded.
- Christina Applegate: She plays the "straight man" but gets some of the weirdest physical comedy beats.
- Selma Blair: As Jane, she ends up being the "fall girl" for the most graphic gags. The scene involving her, a piercing, and a pair of bolt cutters is still one of the most cringe-inducing (in a funny way) moments in 2000s comedy.
The supporting cast is secretly legendary, too. You’ve got Jason Bateman as the obnoxious brother Roger and Parker Posey as the high-strung bride Judy. Even Nancy Pimental makes a cameo as the "vomit girl" in the club.
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The Box Office Reality vs. The DVD Legacy
Financially, the movie was a bit of a heartbreaker for Sony. It opened at #3, stuck behind Changing Lanes and Panic Room. Domestically, it only cleared about $24 million. When you factor in the massive marketing costs and Diaz's salary, it was a theatrical flop.
But then, the DVD happened.
In the early 2000s, the "unrated" DVD market was huge. People started watching The Sweetest Thing at home, away from the judgmental eyes of critics. They found a movie that felt like a precursor to Bridesmaids or Girls Trip. It was a "buddy comedy" dressed up as a rom-com. It prioritized female friendship over the guy. Peter is the "prize," sure, but the real heart of the story is the chaotic bond between the three women.
Why It Matters Now
We’re living in a time where raunchy, female-led comedies are a staple. But in 2002, this movie was a pioneer. It poked fun at the "male gaze" and celebrated women who were unapologetically messy.
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- It paved the way for "gross-out" female humor.
- It showcased San Francisco in a way that felt lived-in (filmed on location at Pier 7 and around North Beach).
- It refused to moralize. Christina isn't punished for her "player" lifestyle; she just chooses something different.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Collectors
If you're looking to revisit this era of Cameron Diaz's career or want to see why this film has such a die-hard following, here is what you need to do:
Find the Unrated Version
Do not watch the edited-for-TV or the standard theatrical cut if you can avoid it. You’ll miss the "Penis Song" and several key sequences that define the film's " South Park-esque" DNA. The unrated version is the only way to see the movie as Nancy Pimental intended.
Look for the "Easter Eggs"
Keep an eye out for the leather-jacketed guy who picks up Courtney in the bar—that’s Johnathon Schaech, who was Christina Applegate’s husband at the time. Also, watch for the "Magellan" references; it's a running gag that feels very of its time.
Contextualize the "Flop"
When you watch it today, remember that this movie came out just a few years after There's Something About Mary. The industry was trying to figure out if lightning could strike twice for Diaz in the "gross-out" genre. While it didn't hit the same box office heights, its influence on modern comedies like Bottoms or Joy Ride is undeniable.
The Sweetest Thing might not be a "perfect" movie by traditional standards, but it's an authentic one. It’s loud, it’s crude, and it’s fiercely loyal to the idea that women can be just as ridiculous as men. In the landscape of 2000s cinema, that's actually pretty sweet.