Sweet November (2001)

A workaholic executive, and an unconventional woman agree to a personal relationship for a short period. In this short period she changes his life.

Director:

Pat O'Connor

Writers:

Herman Raucher, Paul Yurick (story)

Stars:

Keanu Reeves, Charlize Theron, Jason Isaacs

3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Keanu Reeves	...	Nelson Moss
Charlize Theron	...	Sara Deever
Jason Isaacs	...	Chaz Watley
Greg Germann	...	Vince Holland
Liam Aiken	...	Abner
Robert Joy	...	Raeford Dunne
Lauren Graham	...	Angelica
Michael Rosenbaum	...	Brandon / Brandy
Frank Langella	...	Edgar Price
Jason Kravits	...	Manny
Ray Baker	...	Buddy Leach
Tom Bullock	...	Al
Adele Proom	...	Osiris
L. Peter Callender	...	Don Watson, DMV Proctor
June Carryl	...	Beatrice (as June Lomena)

Storyline

The story centers around a man and a woman, whose fates are intertwined and will change forever. Nelson is an avid advertiser living in San Francisco. One day, during a driving test, he meets Sara, a beautiful but seemingly eccentric woman. But, she is falsely accused of cheating and ends up failing the test because of Nelson. After getting kicked out of the exam, Sara waits for him outside and starts to insult him. However, Nelson ignores her and takes off. Then, she traces him down and shows up at his place. She promises to leave him alone only if he gives her a ride. Later that night, she asks him to live with her throughout November on the promise that his life will change for the better. He turns her down saying that he has a girlfriend. On the first day of November, after being fired and dumped on the very same day, Nelson decides to give it a try and then somehow, agrees to spend the whole month with Sara and finds himself in a desperate love affair that he will remember for ...

---

Plot Keywords:

advertising | dog | cancer | san francisco california | terminal illness | 

---

Taglines:

She Just Needed A Month To Change His Life Forever.

---

Genres:

Drama | Romance

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for sexual content and language

Details

Official Sites:

Warner Bros.

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 February 2001 (USA)

Also Known As:

Doce Novembro

Filming Locations:

Daly City, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$40,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$11,015,226, 18 February 2001, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$25,288,103

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$65,754,228

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros.,Bel Air Entertainment,3 Arts Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

119 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

One of the dogs rescued by Charlize Theron in this film (the one she re-homed and later took back) also played Verdell in As Good as It Gets (1997).

---

Goofs

Nelson's Clio Awards on his mantle are teardrop-shaped, see-through colored glass. A Clio actually resembles an Emmy: a tall, skinny, solid metal female-shaped figurine holding a globe over its head.

---

Quotes

Chaz: I do believe that is my favourite sweatshirt I see.
Sara: Uh huh.
Chaz: You must be November.
Nelson Moss: I must be November?
Sara: That's Nelson.
Chaz: Hey Nelson, how are you? I'm Chaz.
Nelson Moss: Hey.
Chaz: You know what? Keep the sweatshirt. It looks better on you.
Nelson Moss: Is this some kind of uh, communal, culty, squeaky charlie type a deal?

---

Alternate Versions

In order to get a 'PG-13' instead of a 'R' the scene where Keanu Reeves and Charlize Theron are in a bathtub together and some dialogue had to be edited/changed (you don't see how his head goes under water and that she laughs).

---

Connections

Referenced in The 50 Best Horror Movies You've Never Seen (2014)

---

Soundtracks

Only Time
Written by Enya
Produced & Performed by Enya
Courtesy of Warner Music UK Limited

User Reviews

I must have seen a different movie

I really fail to see in "Sweet November" the faults that the previous reviewer saw. His cynical review does not do the movie, its story or its message justice.

The acting is excellent, no doubt, but "annoying" is a comment from someone with his emotions firmly implanted where the sun does not shine, and communicates more about the reviewer than it does about the film.

Also, it is not a fault per se, that the ending of a film is predictable and I tire of this being used as negative criticism. The message is in the story, and a surprise ending is the last thing this charming story needs, or thankfully, has.

Oh, and since I used to be someone exactly like the Reeves character is the start of the movie, I can relate to what it is to discover that there is more to life. His character is real alright, but in the surreal sort of way that only those who have actually been there and escaped, truly understand. Now, if only I had had someone as charming as Ms. Theron to show me :-)

Anyway, this is not an "epic" film or even a "great" film - its just a film with a story a few messages and some excellent performances that will tug on your emotions - not altogether a bad thing in a cynical age.