स्वीट नोवेम्बर

Sandy Dennis stars as a kooky, but kind girl who takes a different man under her wing every month and works to resolve their problems. In doing so, she seeks to take her mind off her own troubles. This was a great vehicle for the supremely gifted Dennis who, by this time, had already won the Oscar for her supporting role in WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? and took the starring role in UP THE DOWN STAIRCASE. As irresistable and memorable as she was in these two films, I think she leaves an even more indelible impression with SWEET NOVEMBER. Co-star Anthony Newley, who plays her conquest for November, indeed contributes some fine moments, but this is Dennis' film all the way. There is no way that the remake, scheduled for release next year, will be able to hold a candle to this gem.

I'm a huge Sandy Dennis fan. Her acting was disparaged by unkind critics, but to me acting is less about doing than about being. Sandy was a great human being and she shines in the few films I have had a chance to see.

This one I saw decades ago and remember only the basic outline, and I remember loving it utterly. It has the intimacy of chamber music. The unusual plot intrigued me very much. Why don't they show it more often? I also liked the fact that for a change, the main character is a woman who knows what she wants, and is not just a feather in a man's cap.

I never intended watching Sweet November. I'd never even heard of it. I was flicking through the channels and it just leaped out and grabbed me. I don't what it was, the wonderful, light, witty dialogue that reminded me of Noel Coward at his best, or the tangible chemistry between Sandy Dennis and Anthony Newley. Whatever it was I just couldn't stop watching. It was like snuggling up with someone you love on a windswept winters night or shuffling through fallen autumn leaves. Watching this film filled me with a wonderful inner glow and I loved it.

***Possible Spoilers*** OK, the overall plot does unfortunately suffer from a heavy dose of implausibility. However, if you're willing to suspend your disbelief and simply enjoy the ride from the outset, including the whole look and feel of the '60's (I was born in this decade, and always love living it vicariously through films), the clothes, her adorable apartment (I notice more of the interior design of her apartment with every viewing), and of course, above all else, their tender love story and the road on which Dennis' character leads Newley's, you'll be in for a very real treat. I can be a very harsh critic when films are set in "reality" but clearly have a very implausible storyline, but I make an exception with this film. It's unfortunate, but I have heard/read somewhere that Anthony Newley and Sandy Dennis did not get along at all during the making of this film. That fact alone is a testament to the strength of their performances, because their chemistry was so wonderful on screen. I was never much of an Anthony Newley fan prior to seeing this film, because I was too little during his heyday, and never really took to "children's films" during that time either, such as The Chocolate Factory and Dr. Doolittle. However, in this film, he was absolutely charming.

***SPOILER COMING***The scene in her bedroom loft in which he professes his love for her is one of the most genuine and tender love scenes (conversation only) I've ever seen on film. Whenever I watch this scene, I feel as if I were truly eavesdropping on a very private conversation between two people. Newley's slight mockery of Dennis' knack for going wackily off-subject during this conversation was just a beautiful little dance of dialog. He is just SO English!...he's adorable. Also, it was sweet to notice his first having a very hard time climbing the "stairs" in her apartment, but, toward the end of his "month", he's mastering them with finesse, without even needing to clutch the side railings. Finally, the "1,000 Novembers" he wants to give her make you hope that she will take him up on his offer, once and for all.

Beneath the storied romance of this movie, and Newley's beautiful, tender charm, there is an underlying message provided in large part by Sandy Dennis' character and brilliant performance. Though her character on surface appears to be very much of a free spirit, heavy on whimsy and light on logic, she is the one who makes the stronger impression on Newley than he on her, seemingly, at least, effecting more change in him than he in her. She slowly leads him to look at life as well as his role in it in a different manner, and his character is forever enriched as a result.

If you haven't seen this film, find it (you can get it on Amazon on VHS....I wish they'd offer it on DVD), make yourself a cup of tea, curl up under the covers, listen to this story and watch these characters. "Sweet November" is very touching....tender, sad, romantic, and warmly moving.

Today I read the sad news that Anthony Newley had died, on April 14, 1999. It recalled to mind one of my favorite movies: Sweet November. It is a movie which the New York Times obituary did not even bother to mention but one which touched me. I saw the movie in college in 1968 and have not had the chance to see it since but I have never forgotten it. As the other user comment on this site indicates, it is a tender, moving, love story and is probably primarily a "woman's movie." But I am a man and I have to say I loved and enjoyed it. Over the years I have mentioned and recommended this movie to friends and,sadly, invariably they have never heard of it. That is too bad: I highly recommend Sweet November; it is well worth the trouble of locating a copy and taking a look!