John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale are a winning couple in this endearing fable about the nature of fate when it comes to romance. How much in life is random? And just how much in life is all part of some grand design? Can two people be destined to be together? Jonathan (Cusack) and Sara (Beckinsale) meet in Bloomingdale's while Christmas shopping and spend a few wonderful hours together. But she decides that they should let fate determine if they should ever see each other again.
Years later, they're both engaged to other people, but they can't let their memories of that night dissipate; aided by their best friends, they embark on quests to find each other again.
"Serendipity" is a rather sweet yarn, concocted by screenwriter Marc Klein and directed with style and sensitivity by Peter Chelsom. Chelsom brings out the best in his appealing lead duo. Although Cusack and Beckinsale spent limited time with each other on set, much like their characters, they generate some real chemistry.
Many of the characters are endearing; there are absolutely no villains here. The two fiancees in the movie, Lars (John Corbett) and Halley (Bridget Moynahan), are portrayed in an even-handed way, and you know that nobody in this scenario really deserves to have their heart broken. But Jonathan and Sara don't feel the same degree of "magic" with these two as when they so memorably got together.
Wonderful support is provided by Molly Shannon as Eve, Sara's gal pal, and Jeremy Piven, as Jonathan's best man Dean. And as an additional treat, we get Eugene Levy in a very funny turn as a salesman who reluctantly gives Jonathan some assistance. The film does send us away with a smile when it brings back his character at the end.
Definitely recommended to romantics everywhere.
Seven out of 10.
Years later, they're both engaged to other people, but they can't let their memories of that night dissipate; aided by their best friends, they embark on quests to find each other again.
"Serendipity" is a rather sweet yarn, concocted by screenwriter Marc Klein and directed with style and sensitivity by Peter Chelsom. Chelsom brings out the best in his appealing lead duo. Although Cusack and Beckinsale spent limited time with each other on set, much like their characters, they generate some real chemistry.
Many of the characters are endearing; there are absolutely no villains here. The two fiancees in the movie, Lars (John Corbett) and Halley (Bridget Moynahan), are portrayed in an even-handed way, and you know that nobody in this scenario really deserves to have their heart broken. But Jonathan and Sara don't feel the same degree of "magic" with these two as when they so memorably got together.
Wonderful support is provided by Molly Shannon as Eve, Sara's gal pal, and Jeremy Piven, as Jonathan's best man Dean. And as an additional treat, we get Eugene Levy in a very funny turn as a salesman who reluctantly gives Jonathan some assistance. The film does send us away with a smile when it brings back his character at the end.
Definitely recommended to romantics everywhere.
Seven out of 10.