By 2001, Charlize Theron had racked up a decent number of credits. She first got attention for That Thing You Do! in 1996, and managed to score a role in Woody Allen’s Celebrity (1998). In 1999, she turned that into Mighty Joe Young, The Astronaut’s Wife, and The Cider House Rules (which was an awards flick; Michael Caine won for Supporting Actor). Then in 2000, it was Reindeer Games, The Yards, Men of Honor, and The Legend of Bagger Vance, before her Keanu Reeves weepie Sweet November, which previewed in late 2000 but came out in 2001. Why am I telling you this? Because all that adds up to: This was her biggest Golden Globes appearance to date, and one of her biggest awards appearances overall at the time. She was here on her own recognizance rather than as “she was in a nominated movie,” and she went for the big, loud statement. I just wish it had been a more attractive one.
