Sweet November Review

by Laura Clifford (lcliffor AT genuity DOT net)
February 18th, 2001

SWEET NOVEMBER
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Nelson Moss (Keanu Reeves) is an egotistical, award winning ad man who ends up beholden to free spirit Sara Deever (Charlize Theron) when he gets her thrown out of a DMV test. As in the 1968 original (starring Sandy Dennis and Anthony Newley), Deever 'helps' men by becoming their lover for one month. While Nelson initially finds Sara to be a complete lunatic, he agrees to her request after being fired and dumped by his girlfriend in "Sweet November."

LAURA:

While the concept of "Sweet November" may have worked back in the era of free love and hippies, it's unrealistic to the point of laughability in the 21st century. Once the bumpy first third of the film, which sets up the couple, has past, however, the charm of the two leads allows the film to coast into agreeably romantic, if predictable, territory before winding up in "Autumn in New York" type cliche.

Reeves' Moss uncannily recalls the high powered exec Nicolas Cage just played in "The Family Man." His entire life revolves around career success and monetary trappings. Moss' less talented buddy Vince (Greg Germann, TV's "Ally McBeal") flies on his coattails.

When Nelson asks Sara for an answer during a DMV test, she's ejected from the class, meaning a month long wait for a license renewal. She rejects his offer to provide a month's salary, instead showing up in his lobby demanding a ride. Nelson finds himself involved in a caper to free puppies from a medical research lab. Sara's offer for him to move in for a month so she can 'help' him gets brushed off. The next day his world falls apart (Reeves rather unconvincingly goes at a client, then challenges his boss when he fires him) and he finds a puppy at his door which he returns to Sara complete with threats of calling the police. About two minutes later, he's spending the night.

Charlize Theron, who's been seriously overexposed in roles she hasn't distinguished herself in of late ("The Legend of Bagger Vance," "Men of Honor"), is appealing once again co-starring with Reeves (they clicked in "The Devil's Advocate"). Her character's zest for life is addictive. Theron abandons her natural glamour and inhabits the character of a real person. Reeves gets by here on his likeability, which is a liability in the early parts of the film. He is able to flesh out some backstory, though, as well as turn initial confusion into interest, then enlightenment, before becoming stiff acting out concluding bits of romantic whimsy.

Strong support is given by Jason Isaacs ("The Patriot's" villain) as Sara's downstairs neighbor Chaz. He may play the stereotypical gay best buddy always ready with the pithy retort, but he does it well. Isaac's character has not one, but two secrets which provide for some interesting interaction with Reeves' character. Germann essentially plays his McBeal character without the brash self confidence. Liam Aiken ("I Dreamed of Africa") is sweet as young neighbor Abner.

Technically, cinematographer Ed Lachman ("Erin Brockovich") makes great use of San Francisco locations, particularly Sara's well chosen neighborhood of Potrero Hill. Naomi Shohan's production design and Shay Cunliffe's costume anchor the characters. Director Pat O'Connor ("Circle of Friends") can't smooth over the rough patches of his film, though, nor can he make the story believable enough to get his audience emotionally invested.

C-

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