In 2002, Place had a sizable role in the Reese Witherspoon movie "Sweet Home Alabama" as Witherspoon's character's mother, Pearl Smooter. That same year she was in "Human Nature" starring Tim Robbins and Patricia Arquette and "A Woman's a Helluva Thing" with Penelope Ann Miller as well as with Albert Brooks in the dark comedy "My First Mister". The story focuses on a developing relationship between an isolated, rebellious 18-year-old (Leelee Sobieski) and an engaging older man (Brooks). Place played Brooks' best friend. The film marked the directorial debut of actress Christine Lahti.