L'Amant de novembre

When Anthony Newley passed away in 1999 I was disappointed,to say the least,at the lack of television tributes that would normally accompany such an event.A brief note at the end of Eastenders was the best that the BBC could muster.The one exception,somewhat suprisingly,came from the fledgling Channel 5 and took the form of a showing of the film Sweet November.I must confess that at the time I had not heard of this film and it was only by chance that I happened to be over at My brother,s house at the moment of its broadcast.For the following two hours I sat mesmerised by a film that represents for me,the very best work that Newley ever did within the medium of film.The opening minutes of the film offer little indication of the true nature of what is to follow,as an unfashionably clad,and strangely uptight Anthony Newley has a chance encounter with a free spirited young lady,who epitomises all that the rigidly conventional Mr Newley would appear to despise.These opening scenes are possibly the most demanding on the viewer,as representing conventional characters came about as easily to Anthony Newley as it does now to Jack Nicholson,or Dennis Hopper.As the storyline unfolds however,the viewer is taken on board a magical rollercoaster of alternating pain and whimsy as the process of liberation,initiated by the promise of a transient love,brings both spiritual regeneration and inconsolable loss to Anthony Newley,s urban changeling.A storyline ,that would in less capable hands than the superlative ensemble cast and director,might descend into empty schmaltz,is carried to an unforgettable finale.I urge all those with a suitably open mind to take the opportunity to share in this neglected masterpiece.

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.

Wow, I can't believe there are others out there that remember this film. I first saw about 20 yrs ago on a lazy Saturday afternoon on TV. It was one of those Saturday afternoon at the movies type deals back in 1980. I had never heard of it before, but when I saw who was staring in it, Sandy Dennis, it caught my attention as I have always liked her acting.

I laughed, I cried - LOL all that good stuff that comes with a good flick. I have never seen it since that time and have always searched for it in video stores and clubs and have never been able to find it again, let alone find someone else who ever even heard of this movie!!

And once I found it in a TV guide listing airing in the wee-hours of the morning, but I missed it because I read the listing the day after it aired. So I still search for it and hope to get to tape it when it plays again on TV.

Does anyone know if it is available anywhere to purchase????

I really wanna see this movie again!!!!!

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!

I'm a guy who loves films, I also love poetry and for me this film is the perfect combination of both. I saw this film 15yrs ago and watch it every few years.

Its a film that touches in so many ways, and for what plays as a romantic comedy the ending is one of the best endings for such a film.

I hope Newly knew just how much of an abiding love people had for this film and for himself and Sandy.

Its a shame they remade it, but the remake is a soulless travesty when set against the original. Sadly more people probably know the remake and will be put off watching the original. Quite simply in a quiet, dignified way I think this is one of the best films ever made.