Serendipity (2001) User Reviews

enjoyable escapism

[MsPunch · 8/10 · 18 June 2004]

Jonathan and Sara bump into each other while Christmas shopping in Bloomingdale's, when they both grab the same pair of black cashmere gloves at the same time. They go for coffee at a café named Serendipity which, Jonathan discovers, is Sara's favourite word. A firm believer in the power of fate, she refuses to give Jonathan her phone number – instead, she writes her name and number inside the cover of a book, which she then sells to a secondhand bookshop, telling him that if they are meant to be together, the book will find its way to him. Likewise, she makes him write his number on a banknote, which she promptly spends, telling him that if fate decrees it, the note will find its way back to her. A few years on, Jonathan and Sara are both engaged to other people, but each keeps thinking about whether the other is their true soulmate, and then they start to see signs which they interpret as the fates trying to tell them something…

This is a charming romantic comedy – a heavy suspension of reality is required, but that's surely part of the point. Sara's willingness to leave her future to fate slightly beggars belief, but Beckinsale manages to make Sara appealing enough. It's prettily shot and perfectly paced – the movie never flags but everything pitches along perfectly towards the inevitable but agreeable conclusion (it also keeps itself to a restrained 90 minutes, which seems increasingly unusual among modern movies). Cusack is, as always, utterly adorable, with more sex appeal than 100 Brad Pitts. A little bit of perfect escapism.

A Beautiful Love Story With a Very Charming Couple

[claudio_carvalho · 7/10 · 10 November 2003]

Jonathan Tragger (John Cusack) meets Sara Thomas (the gorgeous Kate Beckinsale) by chance in the Christmas eve, in Bloomingdale's, both trying to buy the unique pair of black gloves available for sale. They decide to go to the cafeteria Serendipity and Jonathan asks for her name and phone. Sara decides to write it in a book, and his on a five dollars bill. She gives the bill to a newspaperman and she says that she would sell the book in a New York used books store. She states that if destiny wants them two together, Jonathan will get that book back. Or she will receive that bill again. From this day on, Jonathan will 'chase' Sara's book trying to reach his lost love.

I did not know the word 'serendipity'. In accordance with Webster' dictionary, it means 'an apparent aptitude for making accidental fortunate discoveries'. The character of Sara believes on it, but regrets for her belief in the end of the story. This is the typical predictable and commercial film, but supported by a very charming actress (Kate Beckinsale) and actor (John Cusack). I am a suspicious viewer to make any comment in this regard, since I love Kate Beckinsale and John Cusack. But I really believe there is no way that any viewer dislikes this movie. The cover of the DVD is also very beautiful. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Escrito ans Estrelas" ("Written in the Stars")

SERENDIPITY Charms Despite Tempting Fate and Trying Patience With Overuse of Whimsy

[dtb · 8/10 · 8 February 2004]

The plot premise, in a particularly streamlined nutshell: In holiday-season Manhattan, Sara Thomas (Kate Beckinsale) and Jonathan Trager (John Cusack) meet cute and, although they both have Significant Others, they end up spending a charming and romantic evening on the town (including coffee and dessert at the aptly-named Serendipity III restaurant). Despite their obvious chemistry, Sara insists on leaving their future up to fate (she turns out to be a therapist, so you'd think she'd know better, but more on that momentarily), whereupon they get separated in the Waldorf=Astoria. Years later, Sara and Jon are both engaged to other people, but can't stop thinking about one another, so they each take a last stab at finding each other again before their respective nuptials. Knowing what a big John Cusack fan I am, a friend of mine recommended I rent SERENDIPITY. Between a parade of people phoning us and our own busy schedules, however, I had almost as much trouble getting to finally sit down and watch the DVD from start to finish as Jon and Sara did trying to get back together in the film itself! But it was worth the effort: even though I was growling at Sara under my breath for being so stupid as to leave their budding romance up to fate instead of running off with Jon when she had the chance (and was Sara so new to NYC that it never occurred to her that other people might take Jon's elevator in the Waldorf=Astoria during their decisive elevator race? Do fate and common sense have to be mutually exclusive?), I found Cusack and Beckinsale so endearing and so full of romantic chemistry (and they both looked yummy, I might add) that I found myself forgiving a lot and rooting for them to get back together. Marc Klein's script is so chock-full of funny and frustrating near-misses that at times I found SERENDIPITY as suspenseful as a Hitchcock film! :-) NYC and San Francisco locations are used wonderfully (I was pleased to see that although the second floor of Serendipity III as shown in the film was quiet enough for Sara and Jon to hear each other talk, it was still as crowded as it usually is on a holiday week! :-). Cusack and Beckinsale are surrounded by a delightful supporting cast, too, particularly Jeremy Piven and Molly Shannon as their respective best friends and the scene-stealing Eugene Levy as an officious, self-serving Bloomingdale's salesman. I also found it refreshing that the filmmakers didn't take the obvious route of making the leads' current Significant Others so horrible that you can't imagine what attracted Our Heroes to these creeps in the first place (that sort of thing always makes me lose respect for both the protagonist *and* the screenwriter). Bridget Moynihan and John Corbett (did the casting directors just stroll on over to the set of SEX AND THE CITY one day and say "Who's free to make a movie?" :-) were appealing enough that I could understand what Cusack and Beckinsale saw in them, yet they were just self-absorbed enough and not-quite-on-our-heroes'-wavelength enough that I didn't feel bad when they got dumped. If romantic whimsy is your bag, give SERENDIPITY a try.

it can and it does happen

[enigma_777_f · 30 September 2003]

Since I have always wondered about fate/destiny and the alike, it was not for one moment, hard for me to embrace this movie. To me, this movie signifies the importance of saying what you feel and feeling what you say. All to often in life people pass each other by and subsequently up all because of being afraid to feel, say, think, and of what others will think. I have tried to become more honest in my life as a result of seeing this movie.

While, fate might decides who comes into your life, it's your love that decide who stays. Serendipity shows that. It's worth the love that it got.

[ironhorse_iv · 7/10 · 16 May 2016]

Normally, I don't watch, too many of these so-called, 'Chick-Flick' romantic movies, because how predictable and bad, they all were, but this movie directed by Peter Chelsom is worth watching and keeping close to your heart. I found 'Serendipity' to be very entertaining. The film tells the story of two strangers, Jonathan Trager (John Cusack) and Sara Thomas (Kate Beckinsale), who meet in Bloomingdale's after grabbing the same pair of gloves as a Christmas gift for their respective partners. Both, become very smitten with each other, but before they could exchange numbers and names, they were separate by fate. Leaving them, with nothing, but a few clues, on how to find, the other. Both search for each other for years, until one day, they found a new clue that might lead to reaching each other. Without spoiling, the movie, too much, I have to say, Kate Beckinsale and John Cusack really do seem like they have the chemistry for each other to make this movie, works, even if they only share a small amount of screen-time, together. However, I still see, their separation, as their own damn faults. Who tempts fate like that!? While, it's true, that the idea of these two, falling madly with each other, over a few hours, one night, might seem a bit, far-fetched & the contrived coincidence that follows, a bit impractical, but who says, watching a movie for escapism is bad news. Much of this movie's charm and humor, comes from the fact, that both of these characters, barely miss connecting with each other. I just wonder, what would happen to them, after they spent a lot of time, with each other. Would they really connect with each other, or will they grow bore & indifferent to each other? Who Knows! The movie doesn't explore that. It would be nice for some realistic, but this romantic comedy movie isn't that type of a drama-full film. Instead, the movie focus on lovesickness being like an illness, that people can't get over. I get what this movie is going for, but maybe, it's wasn't the best thing, to use the book, 'Love in the Time of Cholera', as a way to show that. Don't get me wrong, author Gabriel García Márquez is a fine book, but comparing love to a strong case of deadly life-killing disease isn't the best metaphor. Another thing, according to this movie, it is perfectly fine to go searching for the love of your life whilst neglecting the woman you are about to marry. Talk about an extreme case of cold feet. While, the respective fiancés, Halley Buchanan (Bridget Moynahan) & Lars Hammond (John Corbett) are neither interesting enough to merit their screen time, I do feel somewhat awful enough & uncomfortable about seeing them, get dumped for somebody, the two leads, only met once, long time ago. Also, there is something a bit sinister in this film, when a guy is able to stalk a women, based on what she buys. Isn't that, kinda illegal and somewhat creepy? It sorta makes Bloomingdale, look bad, when an employee is willing to give information, about a customer like that. It doesn't help that, this film was made, during 9/11 attacks in New York. Just think, how much the Patriot Act is allowed people to get away with now. While, I didn't like that, I didn't have too much of a problem with, is the clichés one-dimensional supporting character that has nothing else to do, besides helping these characters get together. Surprising, both Jeremy Piven & Molly Shannon as Jonathan Trager's friend, Dean Kansky & Sara's friend, Eve weren't that bad. It's just odd, that they would be, 'gun-ho' for travelling all over the world, just to see Sara and Jonathan to hook up. Another problem with this film, is how unreliable, all of their problems is, for the common viewer. All of the lead characters are white, mostly happy, and in the middle or upper class. In many ways, this conflict is very first world with all the yuppies product placements. Despite that, this movie is well shot in New York City and San Francisco. The locations used here, really gives the film, an identity. The very end, in an empty skating rink, with softly falling snow was just beautiful. Another cool thing, about this film is the soundtrack. Lots of guilty pleasure songs, worth checking out. Overall: While, this movie will never have the fans, that 1993's 'Sleepless in Seattle' or 1989's 'When Harry Met Sally' had. It's still a movie, worth seeing, at least once.

Fun RomCom without much Com

[welhof1 · 7/10 · 20 December 2021]

This was an easy short fun film to watch. What stood out to me was the writing. It was pretty clever especially in the beginning. It was like an intricate story that all seemed to work out. Nothing super special about this one though but worth the quick watch nonetheless.

Cusack and Beckinsale Make It Work

[jhclues · 9/10 · 8 October 2001]

Magic happens, if you let it; and sometimes even fate or destiny-- or whatever you want to call it-- steps in to lend a hand. But when it concerns love, and finding that special person you're going to spend the rest of your life with, should you risk tempting fate with a test of that love or what is seemingly meant to be, or should you just follow your apparent destiny and embrace it? Such are the questions two people must face and answer in the romantic comedy/drama `Serendipity,' directed by Peter Chelsom. Jonathan Trager (John Cusack) is shopping for a gift for his girlfriend, and Sara Thomas (Kate Beckinsale) is looking for something for her boyfriend when they reach for the same pair of gloves on a rack at Bloomingdales. And the wheels of fate are quickly turning. Or are they? Jonathan and Sara proceed to spend the next few hours together, including a romantic interlude skating in New York's Central Park, and there are definite sparks flying between them. For Jonathan, it's a significant emotional experience, and he realizes something has happened, that something has changed in his life; Sara feels the same, but being a true believer in destiny, she needs a sign that this is meant to be before she'll consider pursuing whatever it is that's just happened between them. So she puts it to the test. And for Jonathan, knowing only that her name is Sara, it's the beginning of an odyssey-- a quest-- to find true love with the woman he already knows in his heart of hearts that he wants to share his life with. For Sara, it's the beginning of a search for love, and for that one special person she knows is destined to be her soul mate forever. They both find, however, that the path to pure love is filled with every obstacle the known universe could possibly place in their way. And is the journey worth it? Well, in the end, it all comes down to what fate has predetermined. Or does it?

In the tradition of such films as `Sleepless In Seattle' and `You've Got Mail,' Chelsom has fashioned a truly romantic tale of two people who are absolutely destined to be together, no matter what. And-- as the audience knows early on-- nothing less will be acceptable. Hanks and Ryan may be missing, but the charismatic Cusack and the beguiling Beckinsale more than make up for it, carving out their own niche in the genre with this outing, and Chelsom has just enough of that Nora Ephron touch (including the use of music, matching the perfect song with every situation) to make it work. The chances of things ever happening in real life the way they do in this movie are about twice as remote as winning the lottery, but who cares? This is a heartwarming fable about love-- about the way we `want' love to be-- and it's delivered with an endearing care that makes it emotionally involving, entertaining and a thoroughly satisfying experience. And there's not a whole lot more you can ask of a movie, I think.

Cusack is so likable, and manages to convey the bedevilment of his situation with such facility, that the viewer is unequivocally drawn in from the beginning. You want things to work out for this guy-- and Sara, as well; and, of course, you're pretty confident from the outset they are going to. But along the way they make you feel something; they enable you to share the frustration as well as the elation that comes with discovering love, and perhaps finding that better part of yourself at the same time. And the fact that Cusack makes Jonathan so believable, and someone with whom you can identify, has more than a lot to do with it. It's a quality performance from an actor with the flexibility and range to do just about anything, and who never disappoints.

The other half of the equation for success, of course, belongs to Beckinsale, who is not only beautiful, but a good actor who infuses her character with a touch of mystery and complexity that makes her winsome and interesting. Like Cusack's Jonathan, Sara is someone you can root for; you want to see her get what she wants and what she deserves. This isn't a perfect world we live in, and we all know it; but for Sara and Jonathan you want it to be. There's a chemistry between the two of them, and they make it so easy for you to project your own feelings and desires into their situation, that there's no getting around it. If they win, you win. It's that simple. And even though they take you over some rough spots along the way, it's a fun trip and Beckinsale and Cusack-- Sara and Jonathan-- make it a journey worth taking.

The supporting cast includes Molly Shannon, Jeremy Piven, Bridget Moynahan and Eugene Levy (who is terrific-- and hilarious-- as a sales clerk at Bloomingdales). A handsome film that touches all the right nerves and pushes all the right buttons, `Serendipity' has a gentle sensibility about it that addresses the notions of romance and love that reside within us all. And it's refreshingly presented in a way that is pure and inoffensive; and as such it allows you to open up and embrace something of value without having to apologize for it, and without implying you have to be `hip' to appreciate it. Because it's all about love and sharing love, which is something we can all use a little more of in this world we live in today. And that's the magic of the movies. I rate this one 9/10.

A tough one to pull off

[barrydevine-36663 · 7/10 · 13 May 2022]

It will hold you. You will watch. And you will be relatively satisfied. It was tough to find the best ending possible for this one, they didn't succeed, but they weren't tooo far off, I guess. Other than that, the serendipitous moments were a-plenty, if not too plenty. And the acting was ace.

Enchanting romantic comedy

[FlickJunkie-2 · 9/10 · 7 May 2002]

This charming romantic comedy has all the right ingredients and serves up a bouillabaisse of schmaltzy romance and slapstick fun. Jonathan (John Cusack) and Sara (Kate Beckinsale) meet in Bloomingdales when they both want to purchase the same pair of gloves. The attraction is instant and they spend a romantic evening cavorting around New York City together. At the end of the evening John wants to see her again, but Sara decides that if it is fate that they should be together, they will find each other again. She drives away in a cab and he never sees her again. Well, almost never.

Years go by and both of them are about to be married, but each still has this nagging feeling that the other was his/her one true love. Of course fate conspires to bring them back together (after about a dozen near misses) as they each simultaneously undertake one last attempt to find one another just before they get married to someone else.

The fate angle is plowed mercilessly, almost to the point of nausea, but the skits are funny and the chemistry between Cusack and Beckinsale is enchanting. Cusack is an expert at playing the tortured and neurotic lover, but here he is more haunted and forlorn than dysfunctional, and it plays much better than his previous two characters in `High Fidelity' and `America's Sweethearts'.

Kate Beckinsale rocketed from obscurity to prominence with her performance in `Pearl Harbor' and proves to be a wonderful romantic lead in this film. She is breezy and adorable and spins a delightful web around Jonathan and the viewer. The film also benefits from outstanding comedic support from Jeremy Piven as Jonathan's best friend and devoted Sara sleuth. Piven's zany comedy proves to be the perfect complement to Cusack's wry despondency. Eugene Levy is a scream as the eccentric Bloomingdales salesman, who blackmails Jonathan into buying half the store to give him information from Sara's charge account.

All in all, this is an entertaining comedy that is insubstantial but delectable. I tend to give romantic comedies a little more slack, because I'm a sucker for this slush, and this is one of the better ones I've seen in a while so I rated it a 9/10. This lighthearted romp makes a great date flick, but if serious drama is your preference stay away.

OK, the Premise is Stupid, But..

[eti55 · 7/10 · 12 October 2014]

.. I liked this movie anyway. The two main reasons are Kate Beckinsale (this is the movie where I got the crush on her I still have to this day), and Jeremy Piven.

I like John Cusack in just about everything I've seen him in, and he does fine here as Jonathan Trager, who's obsessing over whether he let Sara (Beckinsale), the woman who could be the love of his life, get away from him by letting her talk him into this stupid idea of leaving their future to chance after fate brought them together in the first place. They have a chance meeting at a department store, which leads to an amazing evening. But then Sara wants to leave things to chance AGAIN by marking their information on a 5 dollar bill and a book and putting both out in circulation (there's also a ridiculous scene where they get on two elevators..if they end up on the same floor, they're supposed to be together). It's like..duh..fate already brought them together..after that you've got to do some of the work on your own.

Fast forward to a few years later. Jonathan and Sara are both getting married (to different people, naturally), but neither can get that chance meeting out of their minds, and both set out on a last ditch effort to find each other. The lengths that Jonathan in particular goes to, with the help of his best friend Dean (Piven, the straw that stirs the drink in this), make for a couple of priceless scenes, including one with an anal retentive clerk at the department store (Eugene Levy).

Piven is perfect as Dean, who helps Jonathan in his search despite the fact that he thinks his soon-to-be married buddy is off his rocker (what best friends do). Toward the end, when it looks like all is lost, Dean marvels at what Jonathan has gone through to find Sara. He laments about how the passion which Jonathan put into his search is something he let slip away in his own marriage.

It's this, plus the chemistry between Cusack and Beckinsale, that make this movie worth seeing despite the ridiculously silly premise..and predictable ending. Yes, it's a quintessential chick flick..perfect to watch with your spouse or significant other.

Breathtakingly vacuous

[clr-5 · 1/10 · 13 March 2002]

I went to this with the full expectation that I was going to see a chick flick, and had come to terms with that by the time it started.

This, however, is not a chick flick. This is a "romance" film about two individuals who, whilst both in perfectly-good-but-not-quite-perfect relationships with other people, take a fancy to a random stranger they meet in a department store one evening and so spend the rest of the night flirting outrageously like a cheap tart with them.

This done, off they both go to continue their extant relationships. Unfortunately, instead of realising that they could do better and bringing the relationships to a neat end, they only decide to make a run for it on the eves of their coincident weddings. How serendipitous.

We then have the pleasure of watching them each drag their best friends (one of whom's marriage is destroyed in the process) across the planet in order to try and find their once-potential philanderer, whilst their nice bride/groom stands rather forlornly alone at the altar. As any plot line following the jilted spouses is abandoned at this point, I am surmising that they were stood up. Perhaps they died. Who cares.

Man finds girl, some snow falls, some kissing ensues and our happy couple realise that the forty-five minutes they spent together in a restaurant six months ago are more than enough to base their everlasting happiness on. Audience feel warm and fuzzy inside. Speaking for myself, I was certainly

close to tears.

The idea that this film could be billed as a romantic comedy is quite extraordinary. Certainly, the leading characters appear to share the moral outlook of a badger on heat and in that respect I'm very glad they managed to find a like-minded mate. Every other character featured in the film is quite laughably two-dimensional and the only deliberately comedic fragment I managed to spot was a quite nicely done best man's speech - made at the weddding subsequently destroyed by our lovably lust-fuelled hero and heroine.

I am secretly hoping that the joke is on me, and Mr. Chelsom is treating us to a wonderfully dark satire on morals and romance in modern times. Somehow, though, I just can't make myself believe it.

Through fate the power of love cannot be denied...

[knightsend2k1 · 10/10 · 10 January 2004]

There are times when you watch a movie and instantly realize you're watching something special.....this is that type of movie.What's so special you say ? Critics would probably say it's nothing but a walking cliche......Maybe...but isnt the ride always worth it ? Isnt the chemistry the whole reason we watch love stories to begin with ? The best love stories arent so much about the story as they are about what we wish romance in our lives was.Instantaneous...Tender...Magical...Hearts all a flutter.If you like good chemistry between the likeable Cusack and Beckinsale in a magical setting...prepare to be touched.I was.This is by far one of my favorite love stories,only slightly behind " Somewhere in Time " .If you expect realism dont bother -but if you want what love SHOULD be...hypnotic,mesmerizing,a heart awash a sea of tenderness...then get ready to enjoy yourself.May you all find your true love as well....

Destiny ... With A Sense of Humor.

[ikizdevran-882-254684 · 6/10 · 4 August 2018]

"Serendipity" was not in my mind until a friend of mine recommended it last night. So, tonight I have seen it. It has 91 minutes of runtime, but it took more than two hours for me to finish it because almost each scene reminded me of something, therefore, I constantly needed to stop the film and take notes. So, in this review I am going to write mostly about those notes and thoughts.

I had a couple of interactions with John Cusack in films like, 2012, 1403 and Hot Tub Time Machine, and decided that I don't really like his way of acting. He always seems cold and distant. I always failed to have a connection with him. "Serendipity" is the film where I made peace with him. Even though it is not a performance oriented film, I have enjoyed the chemistry between him and Kate Beckinsale. "Serendipity" is directed by Peter Chelsom. It was made with a budget of $28 Million and grossed around $77.5 Million. Even though it was made in the beginning of the 21st century, 2001, it still has the clear and relaxing atmosphere of the 90s romantic and comedies. "Serendipity" is a spiritually beautiful film just like its name. I didn't know the meaning of Serendipity, and after the film, I checked and found the following description; "the occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way." Now the name makes perfect sense compared with its story.

As I have mentioned above, "Serendipity" was made in 2001. Back then, English actress Kate Beckinsale was 28 years old. In one of the scenes Jonathan's (John Cusack) best friend tells him that "British women do not age well." Today, in the year 2018, Kate Beckinsale is 45 years old and still incredibly beautiful. Jonathan's best friend's statement is probably the only thing that is wrong about this film. Because of the high-level predictability, I found the story a bit boring. But, extremely romantic scenes, in the most unexpected times, made it up to me. It is a well-balanced film, and intended to be made with good and happy thoughts. I am one of those people who believe nothing really bad happens during the Christmas time. "Serendipity" starts in one of those peaceful moments in Christmas where everyone shops for their loved ones. So, based on my early theory, this film is going to be calm, good and peaceful. At the end of the film, I was proud to see that my theory turned out to be true. It was indeed calm, good and peaceful. In one of the scenes Sara (Kate Beckinsale) explains what a soul mate really means. She says that "I honestly think it's dangerous to use term "soul mate". It implies there's some magical element that we have no control over like fate or destiny. I think holding onto beliefs like that stops us doing the real work." She agrees for the fact that this is a special term and must be used only about someone really special. She tries to protect this special term from turning out to be like "I Love You" which, unfortunately, lost all its meaning long time ago and became a meaningless, empty statement. Sara is a woman who still believes in special things like love, fate, destiny and soul mate. This is the inner beauty of Sara, this is the beauty of "Serendipity."

Both Jonathan and Sara have ideal partners who love and adore them, but when something doesn't supposed to happen, it is not going to happen. No matter how perfect things may seem, if those things are not in your destiny, they are not going to happen, or on the contrary, if something is meant to happen, it will happen no matter what. You may agree on this or not, but this is the only message "Serendipity" believes in, and shares with you. That being said, when you are making a film based on destiny, then you really need a character like Sara. In this point of view, character profiles are one of the strongest point of the film, as well as the beautiful soundtracks which are mandatory for a film like this.

"Serendipity" is going to shake some things up in your soul. It is a great film for a cold and rainy evening, and even a perfect one for the Christmas time. I had a lot of fun watching it. It is going to make you believe in something. After all, maybe I was destined to watch this film tonight. Who knows?

You can't really fall in love until you are engaged to someone else.

[pandora8 · 1/10 · 13 October 2002]

Why is it that Hollywood continues to think that this is a good plot line for a movie. In this movie the two main characters had no connection, they met once in New York and separate, and yet the audience to this sophomoric movie is supposed to believe that they are "meant to be". This stupid plot has been used too many times, and the only time it has had success is in Sleepless in Seattle. Has anyone realize what self-centred jerks these people are? They dump their perfectly nice fiancés practically at the altar, and at the altar in some cases to find someone they met for one evening about 5 years ago. Are we supposed to side with someone like that? This is a horrible movie, predictable, boring, and self-centred, watch Sleepless in Seattle instead.

Soulmates

[tedg · 5 June 2007]

Often I spend my time with a movie outside of it, watching me watching it, imagining how and why it became what it is.

But every once in a while, I fall into the thing. It succeeds in its intent, to charm me. It happens almost never with date movie because the conventions and expectations are so rigid. That makes them obvious and invites me to step outside. But this worked for me, and it might for you.

I think it is because it does three things. The first is that it is remarkably competent; film-making — at least this kind — requires attention to so many elements. This is quite simply one of the most well engineered date movies I have ever seen in terms of those elements. No risks, no innovation, no real art except in the performances. Just polish, skill, craft.

The second is that it unashamedly touches on romance, the heart of romance as well see in movies. Its a rich notion that probably exists only in movies and a few magical times with the person you love — so you know it is real. But cinema inflates and freezes it for you to hold. Perhaps that is not so wise, but it is what romantic films are about and this plays those keys.

The third thing is what interests me the most. Mind you, I only suss this out afterward.

I have recently come to appreciate the invention of what I'll call noir, the noir world of fate. Its entirely a movie notion that as we watch, we become gods and goddesses that (perhaps against our wills) change the world we see so that coincidences apply. Often they are unhappy, but noir fate can work the other way as well. Not usually; it takes some clever invention which we have here. Its why there's mention of Cassiopeia. See? (I mean that literally.)

Its such an attractive idea, that two souls are fated to meet, (one a film producer, the other an analyst). They were born to be together, born alike in some fundamental way. The world will contrive to make the natural fit. Its something to yearn for, and that's what date movies are for: a pinnacle of happiness in love.

This captured me. I suppose it was fate. I wish something similar for you.

Ted's Evaluation -- 3 of 3: Worth watching.

Kate Beckinsale and John Cusack would make great rom-com if only they had more time together

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 27 September 2013]

Jonathan Trager (John Cusack) is looking for a Christmas gift for his girlfriend. Sara Thomas (Kate Beckinsale) is looking a gift for his boyfriend. They both pick a pair of gloves. They hit it off right away, but she refuses to give him her name. After a great night, she tries to give her name but a gust of wind blows it away. Then to give fate another chance, he writes his name on a $5 bill which she uses to buy certs. And she pledges to put her name in a book which she will sell. If either returns to them, then they'll know it's fate.

Years later, he's going to marry Halley Buchanan (Bridget Moynahan). She's to marry musician Lars Hammond (John Corbett). But neither can shake that night and both try one last time to find the other. He enlists his best friend Dean Kansky (Jeremy Piven) and she enlists her best friend Eve (Molly Shannon) to help find their soulmates.

Eugene Levy does a great comedic turn in a minor role. The two leads are a likable pair. The problem is that they aren't together much. They are a great pair at the beginning, but usually rom-coms require the couple to be together. They don't actually get back together until the very end. As it stands, it's a childish notion of love. The other problem is the pre-existing relationships. They really need to be shown as dysfunctional relationships right from the start. That way the audience is allowed to root against them without reservations.

If you love Sleepless in Seattle you will enjoy this romantic comedy

[lisafordeay · 6/10 · 30 August 2015]

I haven't seen this film in years till today so I decided to check it out again. From the man that brought you Hannah Montana The Movie,this film stars Kate Beckinsale,John Cusack,Jeremy Riven to name a few and tells the tale of two people named Sara and Johnathan who meet at a department store after stumbling on a pair of black gloves as they were buying them for their significant other. Of course they fall in love and Sara is superstitious when it comes to faith and destiny. So she decides to come up with a plan to separate with John and let faith run its course. Of course like I said they are getting married to other people but the big question though is this. Can faith run its course and will Sara and John meet each other again in the next few years or less?

Yes the film is predicable as we all know that they are going to find each other again by the end of the film and its got the same premise as Sleepless In Seattle which starred Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan but overall it wasn't a bad romantic comedy and I was glad to see it again.

Its a nice Christmas Rom Com and if you are like me a fan of Romantic films than check it out.

C+

Fortunate Accident!

[darktowerofnuri · 9/10 · 28 March 2005]

The first time I've seen this movie, I knew I'd add it to my "classics", and here it is. Kate Beckinsale shows her talent -finally- within the movie by blending right into the act of John Cusack. Since I'm in love with these kind of movie scripts, the movie got me in its clasp as I've heard Armstrong's deep voice in the beginning. As the movie starts, the movie's philosophy starts to reveals itself through a pair of black Kashmir gloves. The fact that love will find a way through it all is buzzing all around the movie and makes you feel warmer even though it's winter and snowing. The ice skating section and the ending section on the same "floor" are wondrous moments which any people would like to live - which makes the movie closer to the audience. The thought of someone "right around the corner" waiting for you is all around the movie and makes you feel like go out and find "them". A really cute story with a good sense of humor. Deserves my 9! I just LOVE watching it!

A very good lost and found love story

[SimonJack · 7/10 · 3 January 2019]

The idea for the plot in "Serendipity" is not unusual. But neither is it common or overly used. It's what I call a lost and found love story. A man and woman bump into each other or meet at some event, and they have chemistry. That's a brief and modern way of saying they have a strong attraction and sense of belonging to one another. It's way beyond sexual attraction and interest. But, they have other relationships, and circumstances separate them almost as abruptly as they met.

Then they spend considerable time after this thinking about one another, not knowing how to find the other person, and even searching for the other person. In a movie of this type, the audience watches in anticipation of their finally getting together. That's the draw and hold of the film.

John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale are the two strangers who meet, separate and then spend years wondering about the other person. The story jumps a decade for its resolve. Jonathan Trager (Cusack) and Sara Thomas (Beckinsale) have other relationships, careers and friendships. With the exception of Trager's journalist friend, Dean Kansky, these other entanglements aren't anything special. They are even more distractions than film filler while the main plot unravels.

Kansky (played by Jeremy Piven) helps Trager trace and look for his mysterious woman friend. Some of the best comedy occurs as he becomes obsesses with finding Trager's "Miss Right." The complications in this story are ominous because the couple didn't exchange names or addresses in the short time they were together. There are some nice and interesting twists about fate and their meeting.

While the extraneous story and screenplay aren't particularly good, the hunts by man and woman are very good. That's where the screenplay picks up. The scenes of just missing each other, each going to the other's home, and arriving and leaving at the same places just moments apart, are fantastic. The natural frustration one feels watching these near misses is part of what makes this a very good film. It's not great, but it is a very good love story and comedy.

Here are a couple favorite lines from the film. For more funny or clever dialog, see the Quotes section under this IMDb Web age of the movie.

Eve, "You know who plays golf? Guys who are too fat to play tennis."

Dean Kansky, "Do you remember the philosopher Epictetus? You remember what he said? He said, 'If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid.'"

Pure delight

[robert-temple-1 · 10/10 · 13 December 2007]

This is the ideal romantic film, brilliantly directed by Peter Chelsom (why does he not make more films?) and perfectly cast with John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale. Jeremy Given gave a wonderful performance as Cusack's friend, which greatly helps the film work. And special mention must be made of a hilarious cameo role played by Eugene Levy as the salesman one most dreads meeting at Bloomingdales in New York. (His hysterical 'don't step behind the counter!' is what we have all encountered so often with neurotic sales people. Of course, one 'understands', while laughing uncontrollably at them.) This film is funny, warm, life-affirming, ironical, strange, disturbing, comforting, and licks your face like a puppy. Its theme is the invisible tapestry and connecting threads of fate which lie behind the events of the visible world, especially as they relate to True Love. In other words, 'serendipity', or fortunate chance. Cusack and Beckinsale find each other, are eternally meant for each other, lose each other, and - well, I don't want to spoil things, - but let us say, search for each other for years, with results to be discovered by the viewer. It is all so charming and just right that rather than find another romantic film, one might just as well watch this one again over and over, with a steadily increasing and delighted smile. Above all, it is Cusack who makes this, as he is the ideal romantic male lead for such charming and elfish fare. His slightly pixie-like looks are just quirky enough, not too much to make him look truly odd, but enough to mark him on the brow as 'an innocent at large' who can have these adventures and really mean them.

Fate or merely contrived circumstance?

[hitchcockthelegend · 7/10 · 12 December 2008]

Jonathan Trager (John Cusack) and Sara Thomas (Kate Beckinsale) meet while shopping in New York, after engaging in general pleasantries, they proceed to spend the rest of the day together and have a wonderful time. Sara is a big believer in serendipity, and coupled with the fact that both Jon and herself already have partners, she sends Jon mad by insisting that if they are meant to be together then the hands of fate will make it work. She signs her name and phone number in the front of a book and he signs his details on a dollar bill, if it's meant to be then these items will find their way back into each others lives again...

Perhaps Serendipity just finds me in a forgiving mood each time I watch it? Perhaps I'm a hopeless romantic guy at heart and it works on an emotional level? Maybe I just love me a Christmas movie? But whatever it is? I just know that I really enjoy the picture. From its fabulous use of the New York locations to the amiable bankability of its two main stars, I know I'm being led to an inevitable warmth that delivers the broadest of grins on to my face. That's it really, it's not much of a review for you, but if you want to have the cockles of your heart warmed by a film that clearly delivers what it sets out to do, then Serendipity is just the ticket.

Fire on, bottle of wine and the company of Kate and John. Lovely. 7/10

Unlikable main characters sink the movie

[brimatt2412 · 1/10 · 25 June 2008]

I like romantic comedies, (My Big Fat Greek Wedding, My Best Friend's Wedding, Pretty Woman are some favorites of mine), so I am not writing this out of any hate whatsoever for the idea of a romantic comedy.

Having said that, this movie ticked me off. The main characters, how do I say this in a family friendly forum, were jerks to put it mildly. The movie's obvious goal was to make me like them and root for them to wind up together. But by the end of the movie, I saw them as the villains with the way they treated their fiancées. But I've gotten ahead of myself here, my bad, my apologies.

The premise of the movie is that John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale meet at a store at the beginning of the movie and hit it off (both characters were stated as currently dating others at the time, establishing what would an annoying pattern of behavior throughout the film.) Beckinsale's flaky character suggests writing their numbers on a 5 dollar bill and a book and if they come across them, they were meant to be together.

Some time later, Cusack is engaged to Bridget Moynahan and Beckinsale is engaged to John Corbett's character. Both of the fiancé's are decent and don't deserve the treatment they get from our villai- I mean main characters, so sorry. Cusack spends the whole of his week before he is supposed to be married looking for that book with Beckinsale's number and Beckinsale isn't much better. Their callous disregard for their fiancé's caused me to lose any interest to care about them. I felt particularly bad for Bridget Moynahan's character, who proved to be a nice and lovely fiancé who really loved Cusack's character, yet was set up for heartbreak. The end of the movie evoked sympathy for the supporting character fiancé's and rage at the main characters, who I saw having no redeeming qualities.

As I said, I enjoy romantic comedies when they are well done. Part of well done means making the main characters likable to the point where you are rooting for them to get together and you cheer at the end when/if the happy ending comes.

Here, the main characters, I thought were self-absorbed inconsiderate people who I pretty much considered villains at the end. So to me, this particular romantic comedy failed on its goal.

I do not recommend this movie. (as if I had left any doubt to my feelings in my review)

Ultra cheezy, highly unrealistic, but highly enjoyable.

[DigitalA4 · 10/10 · 21 January 2004]

I actually stumbled on this movie after discussions with friends about Kate Beckinsale in Underworld. Talk about two movies on the opposite end of the spectrum. I absolutely enjoyed Underworld and Kate Beckinsale. I wanted to see what other movies she had a large role in and Serendipity was brought up. I knew that this was a romantic type of movie which was totally different from her cold and fierce persona as Selene in Underworld but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Although I was reminded of Sleepless in Seattle through parts of the movie, it had enough differences to make it unique. They put just enough obstacles to make the movie interesting and not overly frustrating. I mean how many close calls can you have before finally running into each other again? They kept me hanging long enough before I could breathe a sigh of relief. Call me a hopeless romantic but I believe something like this is possible. This is definitely a keeper in the pop-romantic-flick movie bin.

A super sappy romantic flick

[Shopaholic35 · 6/10 · 18 October 2015]

This movie is incredibly terrible yet absolutely lovely. I'm sure most people can agree that this is not the most realistic or even engaging movie but nevertheless there is something magical about it. Everybody wants to secretly believe in fate and soul mates and this movie is overflowing with those sentiments.

Aside from the romantic clichés I personally found some of the movie a bit dull and lifeless in parts. It was also extremely hard to find the storyline believable but I managed to overlook it for most of the movie. I didn't hate this movie, in fact I kind of loved it but it's not something I need to watch again anytime soon.

A flawed premise equals a flawed movie.

[fmcchris · 3/10 · 29 December 2011]

Telling a lie requires you to invent more lies to sustain the original untruth. Likewise, an implausible premise requires abundant fictions to keep the story going--often into even more absurd realms. The premise of "Serendipity" is that it is not you who determines your own destiny; rather it is fate that makes the determination as to how your life will play out. Consider Sara's retort to Jonathan just after they meet and he wants to get her name and phone number:

Jonathan: I just had a really great time and for all we know I wouldn't be able to find you again.

Sara: Well, if we're meant to meet again, we'll meet again. It's just not the right time now.

Now how does Sara know what the RIGHT time is? She doesn't, so she's going to let fate decide. How droll!

The doctrine of fatalism is a flawed doctrine which states that all events are fixed in advance so that we are powerless to change them. People are merely pieces on a chessboard, manipulated by some supernatural power--all choice has been removed from the equation and we have no recourse but to submit ourselves to the will of some external agency. At one point in the movie, Sara's friend Courtney told her as much, and that was the closest we come to ANY truth in this movie. But the premise must be maintained at all costs, and so once the two main characters part, all kinds of fatalistic events occur as if on cue to help them find one another again--the five dollar bill with Jonathan's name on it, the book with Sara's phone number in it, etc. The list of improbabilities increases as the movie descends into utter ludicrousness.

One particularly distasteful aspect of this movie was the shallowness of the lead characters. When Jonathan and Sara first met, they were both involved with other people. And those other people, we come to find out, are very nice people who are in love with our main characters. Well it seems to me that Jonathan and Sara can't be too happy with their respective relationships if they are flirting with one another! And if they had any misgivings, then it would have been honest of them both to let their significant others in on the secret instead of leading them on in such a disingenuous fashion--especially since those significant others were good and decent people who truly loved them. To string someone along to the point where you've convinced that person that you want to marry him or her, but to pine away for someone else and then end the relationship at the last moment is not only cowardly and dishonest—it is cruel. But why settle for second best when fate has decreed otherwise?

Given the above, it was impossible for me to like Jonathan and Sara. All I felt was contempt for their willingness to submit to fate and to not take the responsibility for their actions into their own hands. If I had met a girl whom I thought could be the love of my life (and I sincerely doubt such a thing would happen during a brief interlude in a department store as it did in the movie!), you can bet your bottom dollar that I would NEVER, EVER leave anything up to chance! I would have asked that girl for her phone number and would not have left her without it. Unless of course she was a girl like Sara, in which case I probably would have had no choice but to let fate decide. After all, she did say "it's just not the right time now." Sure babe. Sure.

To cap off the succession of absurdities, there was no emotional payoff at the end of the movie. Jonathan and Sara shake hands when they finally meet followed by a weak and unconvincing kiss. You would think after two years of constantly thinking about one another and trying desperately to reconnect, that our lovers would have rushed into each other's arms and shouted for joy. But no! They simply stand next to each other on the ice rink looking cold and bemused. But then, considering the flawed script and all the fatalistic occurrences that permeate every inch of this ridiculous movie, I can only believe that it was fated to be this way.