Sweet November (2001)

16% of critics liked it
(96 reviews)
75% of users liked it
(91,813 ratings)

This romantic melodrama reunites The Devil's Advocate (1997) co-stars Keanu Reeves and Charlize Theron, and is directed by Irish filmmaker Pat O'Connor (Circle of Friends). Sara Deever (Theron) is a beautiful young woman who begins a new romantic relationship with a man each month, then helps him to… More This romantic melodrama reunites The Devil's Advocate (1997) co-stars Keanu Reeves and Charlize Theron, and is directed by Irish filmmaker Pat O'Connor (Circle of Friends). Sara Deever (Theron) is a beautiful young woman who begins a new romantic relationship with a man each month, then helps him to evolve into a better and kinder human being before she moves on to the next partner. Although she's remained friendly with some of her former lovers, she's never broken her one-month rule. November's candidate is a particularly heartless business exec named Nelson Moss (Reeves), who takes a while to come around. Once he does, however, Nelson falls deeply in love, hoping to woo Sara for good; eventually, her resolve weakens. What Nelson doesn't know is the tragic secret behind the brevity of Sara's romances. A remake of a 1968 Sandy Dennis film by the same name, this contemporary version of Sweet November is less comedic and emphasizes more of its story's tearjerker qualities than the original. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 59 min.
Directed By: Pat O'Connor
Written By: Kurt Voelker
Genres: Drama, Romance

In Theaters: Feb 16, 2001 Wide
On DVD: Jul 24, 2001
Studio: Warner Bros.

Critic Reviews

Michael Atkinson, Village Voice
Extra-thick vanilla schmalted with just the right amount of raw sugar to summon the awwwws of high school girls.
Desson Thomson, Washington Post
Should have been called Cloying November.
Stephen Hunter, Washington Post
Who on earth could resist Charlize Theron? Well, if she's imitating Sandy Dennis, it's not all that hard.
Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer
If Sweet November were a valentine, it would end up in the dead-letter office.
Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press
O'Connor shamelessly lays on the schmaltz and cliches.
David Edelstein, Slate
I kept waiting for [Reeves] to point out that, given the state of San Francisco real estate these days, it's hard to reconcile a life of endless surf-romping with a life of having a roof over one's head.
Beth Pratt, Common Sense Media
So-so Love Story for a new generation.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Pat O'Connor's emotional drama is disappointingly contrived, and while Charlize Theron is decentm Keanu Reeves seems to be lost
Betsy Bozdech, Reel.com
Despite its few genuinely romantic moments ... the film fails to connect with the viewer; it's hard to feel strongly about people whose lives are so one-dimensional.
Jeffrey Chen, Window to the Movies
A hard-to-swallow fantasy.
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette
Well, everybody knows November means just one thing to most folks: a big, fat turkey. And guess who's the stuffing?
Sean Burns, Philadelphia Weekly
Filmmaking of this caliber means always having to say you're sorry.

Read all 12 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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

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Featured Audience Ratings

Manu G

She Just Needed A Month To Change His Life For Ever. Very good movie and great acting from Keanu and Theron. The story is very original, romantic and melancholic. "The meaning of life, is to give life meaning." I think that is the message of this movie. Too many times… More
She Just Needed A Month To Change His Life For Ever. Very good movie and great acting from Keanu and Theron. The story is very original, romantic and melancholic. "The meaning of life, is to give life meaning." I think that is the message of this movie. Too many times people get wrapped up in stuff and glitz and all technology and everything else we have in this life that we forget that in the end... all we have is each other. For romantic suckers this is a must see movie, enjoy! Nelson is a man devoted to his advertising career in San Francisco. One day, while taking a driving test at the DMV, he meets Sara. She is very different from the other women in his life. Nelson causes her to miss out on taking the test and later that day she tracks him down. One thing leads to another and Nelson ends up living with her through a November that will change his life forever.
Conner R

Just flat out corny and sappy. It's a romantic comedy with a kicker, one of them is dying and it's not the one you want to die. Keanu Reeves was especially bad and it's easily Charlize Theron's worst performance. I mainly blame this on the audacity of the writers,… More
Just flat out corny and sappy. It's a romantic comedy with a kicker, one of them is dying and it's not the one you want to die. Keanu Reeves was especially bad and it's easily Charlize Theron's worst performance. I mainly blame this on the audacity of the writers, but it still should've never seen the light of day.
Red L

I saw this for the second time today. I even moved my rating up 1/2 star. Ok, the movie is somewhat preposterous. Nelson (the hunky Keanu Reeves) with his A type personality meets Sara - (the beautiful Charlize Theron) and moves in with her for a month. That is what she does -… More
I saw this for the second time today. I even moved my rating up 1/2 star. Ok, the movie is somewhat preposterous. Nelson (the hunky Keanu Reeves) with his A type personality meets Sara - (the beautiful Charlize Theron) and moves in with her for a month. That is what she does - adopt needy hunky men for a month. Of course it wouldn't be the sappy movie it was if Sara wasn't sick somehow, and if Nelson didn't want to leave after his month. And of course, Nelson is forever transformed, etc. etc.
Arash X

Awful,stupid & pointless, The best thing in this movie is its ending, And I dislike Keanu Reeves and his acting & talking style, I also dislike Charlize Theron for no good reason
Dean M

Charlize Theron sparkles as a free-spirited "gal with a secret" in this updated remake of the 1968 charmer, but costar Keanu Reeves hasn't a romantic bone in his body; he plays every scene - happy, sad, angry - with the same stern expression and flat delivery. As a… More
Charlize Theron sparkles as a free-spirited "gal with a secret" in this updated remake of the 1968 charmer, but costar Keanu Reeves hasn't a romantic bone in his body; he plays every scene - happy, sad, angry - with the same stern expression and flat delivery. As a result, it's difficult to embrace the fairy-tale story of an emotionally withdrawn guy whose better qualities are brough out by Theron's vivacious Earth sprite. The whole concept seems too much a part of the 1960s, which perhaps explains why the original was more successful.
Rachel F

This is a beautiful movie but it has a very sad ending.
Sanjaya &

I'll still love this movie even many people say it worst... I can feel the great chemistry between Keanu & Theron... So sad they can't be together... (T-T)
Jason S

Sad flick. Not one to watch with the girl friend unless you like all that crying and stuff.
danny d

sad and depressing. you also kind of hate therons character, and thats clearly not the point
Leigh R

Good movie.
Emily A

Looking back, this movie was a little heavy on the syrup, but at the time I loved it. Well, that was during the Keanu kick, but I have since recovered. Those Razzy award people really hated this movie, and Charlize Theron did kinda poop out at the end.
Joseph E

When you think of tear-jerkers you think of Keanue Reeves and some impressive female co-star, and with "Sweet November" this film is far different from regular tear-jerkers in the fact that you cry inside and not out. And for most men, head Peter Travers:"Beware all… More
When you think of tear-jerkers you think of Keanue Reeves and some impressive female co-star, and with "Sweet November" this film is far different from regular tear-jerkers in the fact that you cry inside and not out. And for most men, head Peter Travers:"Beware all male viewers who enter here, you are in chick-movie hell." It is still a "Two and a Half Star out Four "Film. A Slight reccomendation to Romance lovers.
Deb S

The plot is risky and unique. Why does this girl want to help people, divide them into months, what's her story? This is a romantic comedy about an eccentric Sara played by Charlize Theron who coerces a busy advertising executive Nelson (Keanu Reeves) to move in with her so she… More
The plot is risky and unique. Why does this girl want to help people, divide them into months, what's her story? This is a romantic comedy about an eccentric Sara played by Charlize Theron who coerces a busy advertising executive Nelson (Keanu Reeves) to move in with her so she can show him how to enjoy life more. He is a typical type A workaholic who is completely driven by ambition. And Sara is like a sexy zen seductress who teaches him simply to be, to be in the moment, to be playful. It tells of the complete change in Nelson and slowly reveals the mystery of Sara and her strive for immortality. Her eccentric behavior was fitting to her character. This is a story about life and relationships. There is a saying that goes. "The meaning of life, is to give life meaning." This movie is certainly a tearjerker and had me sobbing like a baby! Enya's music is wonderful and totally fits into this story.
Yinalí R

Love this movie, very romantic...
Maymay A

I didn't like it much. Even if the film is emotional, I didn't feel connected. It lacks something. The film is very average for me. It is surely not a masterpiece. It also isn't a garbage kind of movie. Well, the ending was quite nice. It's something to look… More
I didn't like it much. Even if the film is emotional, I didn't feel connected. It lacks something. The film is very average for me. It is surely not a masterpiece. It also isn't a garbage kind of movie. Well, the ending was quite nice. It's something to look forward to.
Sunil J

There was a lot to like about this movie but it got overly cliche about halfway through. Still enjoyed most of it though.
Marion R

I really liked this romantic flick. Even with Keanu Reeves in it.
Ira Z

I'm sorry, but I just LOVE this movie! Personally, I feel that Charlize Theron COMPLETELY steals the movie. I don't know where the side story about the kid factors in to benifit the storyline but, as a whole, the story is just great. Up to now, I still don't know what… More
I'm sorry, but I just LOVE this movie! Personally, I feel that Charlize Theron COMPLETELY steals the movie. I don't know where the side story about the kid factors in to benifit the storyline but, as a whole, the story is just great. Up to now, I still don't know what really happened to Charlize in the end.
Rose G

it was bittersweet...