Sweet Jane (1997)

62% of users liked it
(442 ratings)

Drug user Jane (Samantha Mathis) lives on the streets, but Jane's addiction puts her in the hospital after she overdoses. A doctor determines she's HIV-positive and plans tests, but she slips away and returns to the streets. She's followed by sick teen Tony (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), who sees her as a… More Drug user Jane (Samantha Mathis) lives on the streets, but Jane's addiction puts her in the hospital after she overdoses. A doctor determines she's HIV-positive and plans tests, but she slips away and returns to the streets. She's followed by sick teen Tony (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), who sees her as a substitute mother. The two assist each other and use stolen cash to move into a nice hotel. However, Jane is helpless once Tony begins dying of AIDS. Shown at the AFI/Los Angeles Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 23 min.
Directed By: Joe Gayton
Written By: Joe Gayton
Genres: Art House & International, Drama

In Theaters: Feb 1, 1998 Wide
On DVD: Jun 19, 2001
Studio: Vanguard

Critic Reviews

Luke Y. Thompson, New Times
Smartly uses a minimalist, edgy, Wim Wenders-style score to communicate the emptiness of a life doomed to be cut short.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Daniel P

Also known as Lepers in some countries, Sweet Jane is a fairly ordinary story about drug addiction, prostitution and HIV/AIDS, brought to life by a superb performance by Samantha Mathis (Pump Up The Volume, American… More
Also known as Lepers in some countries, Sweet Jane is a fairly ordinary story about drug addiction, prostitution and HIV/AIDS, brought to life by a superb performance by Samantha Mathis (Pump Up The Volume, American Psycho) and equally capable support by Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Plainly directed and with a dowdy color scheme, the film succeeds in its first hour at showing a descent into a kind of hell on earth, before turning into a mawkish and sentimental movie-of-the-week in the final 25 minutes. The ending is also a little overplayed, though does allow for some nice symmetry and some beautiful photography.
Leo L

Very touching!