Every Month is November ... Review on Sweet November Movie

Watching this movie is, like experiencing an emotional roller coaster ride. All I can say is that it was different and rather unconventional – since there are no expectations, one really begins to enjoy the story as it unfolds.

The movie was released in 2001 and directed by Pat O’Connor. The story is based in San Francisco.

The plot:

Nelson Moss is a high flying advertising executive who lives life on the fast lane – a chance meeting with Sara Deerer changes all that. After initial reluctance, Nelson agrees to spend the month of November with Sara – no rules, no pressure, no expectations – Sara only asks for Nelson’s time. Sara tries to make Nelson realize that life is, meant to be lived to the full extent rather than chasing a moving target. Why does Sara dedicate her life to helping men like Nelson? Will she succeed? Watch the movie to find out. The relationship between Nelson and Sara are well portrayed.

The cast:

# Keanu Reeves as Nelson Moss. His life is on a fast track – everything changes when he gets fired and he agrees to spend one month with Sara (initially he agrees only to one day and Sara gladly accepts the offer). Slowly he starts falling in love with Sara and appreciates the finer aspects of living. I am not a Keanu fan and he was passable in this movie. He is more of an action hero and he really struggled in the emotional scenes and it was comical to see tears in his eyes.

# Charlize Theron as Sara Deerer. This movie was all about her. She is very charming. I got hooked onto her after watching her in “The Legend of Bagger Vance” and “The Cider House Rules”. She has given a convincing performance. At first she appears unconventional and almost a freak but she has her own reasons. Shhhh… She is terminally ill and is suffering from cancer.

# Greg Germann as Vince. He is the colleague of Nelson in the ad agency. He is always on the run and leads a very fast pseudo life style. In one scene, he is with a girl and he does not even remember her name – that is how fast he is.

# Jason Issacs as Chaz Cherry: He is the friendly neighbor of Sara and leads a secret life as a cross dresser. His partner is a non-entity called Brandon.

# Liam Aiken as Abner. He is the neighborhood boy without a father and looks up to Nelson as the father figure. Nelson enjoys being with him and helps him to cheat in a “model boat” race.

# Edgar Price is the owner of a high flying ad agency – a dream job for Nelson but after spending time (almost two weeks) with Sara, Nelson’s whole perspective on life changes and he refuses this job.

# Angelica is the former girl friend of Nelson who walks out on him at the hint of trouble.

# Ernie the dog – this “character” was used to depict Sara’s love for animals.

Personal Touch:

If you are the type who enjoys soft romantic stories that deals with terminally ill heroines, this is your kind of film. Ladies – do not forget to bring extra tissues – there are several scenes which will challenge your tear duct.

One dialogue by Nelson, which stands out ''My third eye did not open'' - after spending a leisurely day with Sara. Sara asks Nelson to spend more time ...(before the third eye opens..) What intrigued me was that, in the Indian scriptures opening of the third eye (by Shiva) is supposed to be a bad omen and is a sign of massive destruction whereas here, this is used to signify somekind of a revelation of the mind.

I would give this a 3/5 and would recommend it for one viewing, on those days when you feel like being melancholic.