| SERENDIPITY |
 2001 –
USA
Director: Peter Chelsom - Reviewed by Jerry
That formula describes any number of romantic comedies, including the genre's latest, Serendipity. In this one, the fetching Kate Beckinsale (Pearl Harbor) is again torn between two lovers—Jonathan (John Cusack), whom she meets over a pair of gloves at Bloomingdale's, and her boyfriend. After a fun pre-Christmas evening out on the town, Sara and Jonathan leave the possibility of their getting together again to fate and destiny. She writes her name and phone number in a novel, which she plans to sell at a used book store; he writes his name and phone number on a $5 bill which she promptly spends at a newsstand. This being New York, chances are slim they will ever happen upon the necessary information so they can meet up again. This also being a Hollywood movie, you know they are going find a way to reunite before 91 minutes are up. Fast-forward a decade, and Sara and Jonathan can't stop thinking about each other. While neither has come across the book nor the money (particularly difficult for Sara since she has moved to San Francisco), they each separately decide to seek the other out. But there's not much time since their respective wedding dates are getting closer by the day. Given its what if storyline, Serendipity owes plenty to 1998's cleverly crafted Sliding Doors. In the first of two memorable outings that year by Gwyneth Paltrow (the other was her Oscar-winning Shakespeare in Love), destiny played an important role in whether romance was lost or found. It does again in Serendipity, penned by first-time screenwriter Marc Klein. Are Sara and Jonathan fated to spend their lives apart or together? Even the movie's advertising plays into the question: "The love of your life may be sitting right behind you," says one poster. After considerable detective work and help from their friends (Saturday Night Live's Molly Shannon is hers; Jeremy Piven from Rush Hour 2 is his), their paths come oh-so-close to crossing on several occasions. Assuming Klein and director Peter Chelsom won't send the audience home disappointed, it's no surprise that Sara and Jonathan eventually track each other down. And when they do—predictable as it is—it's still a magical reunion. For the director's part, the movie is enjoyable enough to bring a little serendipity to Chelsom's career. He'll need it after his last outing, the often maligned all-star fumble Town and Country. To be fair, his work hasn't always been down in the dumps. Chelsom also helmed one of the best 1998 movies nobody ever saw, The Mighty starring Sharon Stone. Although Serendipity doesn't reach either of those quality extremes, it has enough feel-good elements (with the charm Beckinsale and the always solid Cusack bring to the screen at the top of the list) to make the movie a worthwhile night out. It must be said, however, that an unintended element has been added to the romantic fantasy because of the tragic events in New York. Even Miramax Films' decision to cut a glimpse of the World Trade Center from the opening credits couldn't erase it. But fortunately the Disney-owned company went ahead with the movie's release. It offers some escapist fun the romantic in all of us can use at this time. |
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Guy meets girl. Guy loses girl. Guy spends movie trying to find girl.
Guy gets girl before the final credits roll.