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"Because a month is long enough to be meaningful and short enough to stay out of trouble." So
does Sara Deever (Charlize Theron) explain her outrageous offer of healing Nelson Moss (Keanu Reeves) from whatever she thinks ails him. Nelson is a workaholic advertising
executive who doesn't pay attention to people. He accidentally meets Sara who decides to make him her project for the month of November. She is a free spirit who has been
giving her "services" to different men every month "to help them reach their full potential." When Nelson's girlfriend leaves him and his boss fires him, Nelson takes up
Sara's offer. He discovers in himself a new person and falls hopelessly in love with her, only to find out the reason for Sara's unconventional life.
Sweet November is a remake of a film released in 1968. Screenwriter Kurt Voelker and story writer Paul Yurick updated and altered the
original story. The plot is absurd, the choices made by the characters too contrived, the transitions (character development) too quick, and the twist predictable. Keanu
Reeves (The Matrix, The Replacements, The Gift) and Charlize Theron (Cider House Rules,The Legend of Bagger Vance) do not register the chemistry necessary for a
believable romance, although they worked quite well in The Devil's Advocate. The focus on the colorful San Francisco neighborhood and bridges effectively conveys the
transformation happening in Nelson.
"Carpe diem! (Seize the day!)" is the underlying theme of Sweet November. It tries to
make people aware of the need to "live each day like it were the last" by opening one's self to others. Unfortunately, the bohemian lifestyle and heavy sexuality devoid of
responsibility subtract whatever positive values the film attempts to focus on. The presentation of free sex as an antidote to coldness and the inability to sustain meaningful
relationships is wrong and can be very misleading especially for the young.
Sweet November is not as sweet as advertised. In fact, it leaves a bitter taste in your mouth.
(Date reviewed: April 20, 2001)
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