Sweet November

Year of release : 2001

Run time : 2h

Genre : Romance / Drama

Cast : Keanu Reeves, Charlize Theron, Jason Isaacs, Michael Rosenbaum

The movie is loosely based on the 1968 movie of the same name ,which was originally written as a play.

Nelson works in advertising, and although he has a girlfriend, he doesn't care much about her, as he is obsessed with work.

He needs to renew his driver's license, and at the DMV, he attempts to cheat from Sara, who is thrown out of the exam by the instructor.

She waits for him outside, and asks him to drive her around town, since he cost her her driver's license for a month. He gives her his card, and offers to pay her compensations.

Sara shows up at his place and makes a scene as he refuses to take her where she needs to go, making him give into her demands.

After she rescues 2 puppies from a research institute, she offers to help him become a better person, by dating him the whole month of November. She tells him she pretty much does this every month, with different men (which I find gross).

Although at first reluctant, Nelson accepts (as his girlfriend left him because he never wants to meet her family,among other things like not paying attention to her), and they start an affair, which he insists at first to last for only one day, as he is busy, but he was let go from his job, as he pitched a vulgar announcement to a family company, and when rejected he had a fit.

I personally didn't like the movie, it was very cheesy and cliched. The plot is ridiculous! The idea that someone would do this, not just that, but when SPOILER they don't have much time left, is preposterous!

Sara was annoying, although I'm guessing it was supposed to be funny to us. It was always what she wanted. She gave his clothes away, and made him dress in her friend's clothes (thank God, 'cause at first I thought she took it from a second hand store or a homeless person! ).

She has no sense of style, and shares it with Nelson!

Speaking of Nelson, he does a full 180, as in 2 weeks he goes from a workaholic, who doesn't care much about people, to someone who wants to marry Sara, whom he met 2 weeks before! I do not believe that someone like him can change so radically in such a short time!

The movie has the obligatory gay friend / couple, played by Jason Isaacs and Michael Rosenbaum (who also played in drag in Sorority Boys) who also both dress in drag on certain evenings they invite Sara over!

SPOILER Sara is sick and doesn't want to be seen as such, so although Nelson wants to spend her remaining time with her, she refuses, and breaks up with him. That's how the movie ends, which gave me the feeling of unfinished business.

The acting was Ok, Keanu seems stiff (like he can't fit in the character's skin) at the beginning of the movie, but he comes around.

I didn't like the soundtrack, especially in the beginning. I hated the artists' songs too, until they played Enya. After, the songs got better. Keanu sings a song for Charlize.

The movie received negative reviews, and grossed 65.8 million dollars at the box office, against a budget of 40 million, being a flop.

Cinema Score audiences graded the movie a B.

The movie was nominated for 3 Razzie Awards, for Worst Remake or Sequel, Worst Actor for Keanu, and Worst Actress for Charlize.

You can watch the full movie for free, if you follow this link :

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x9rzsjq

Rating : Could have been a contender!