Serendipity

Released October 2001

Directed by Peter Chelsom

Starring: John Cusack, Kate Beckinsale, Jeremy Piven, Molly Shannon, Bridget Moynahan, John Corbett, Eugene Levy

First Viewing March 12 2010

Roger – 2/5 stars

 I know, I know. “Serendipity is so cute!” you’re saying. “How could you only give it 2 stars?” Well, there are a couple of reasons.

Reason One: I am not a romantic comedy fan. Sure, I’ve got a handful of sweet and sincere favourites, which girl doesn’t? The thing is, romantic comedies are probably the most predictable form of cinema out there, and if I’m going to buy into the whole true love deal, I want to believe, not sit through impossibly sugary sweet situations.

Reason Two: Serendipity just wasn’t plausible enough for me. Yeah, I know this is coming from the person who gave Avatar 5 stars. But my problem with romantic comedies is when the movie/premise takes itself way too seriously. You're only a romantic comedy. And I can believe in the situations found in Avatar more than Serendipity.

I realize the very title should prepare me for this movie. I can guess the premise here; I’m not that dim. There is such a thing as too much delightful accident, though.

Jonathon (Cusack) and Sara (Beckinsale) meet randomly Christmas shopping and share an immediate connection. After an unforgettable evening, Sara decides that even though they seem to be perfect for each other, it’s up to fate if they should continue down a path together. Jonathon is frustrated, of course (I would be too if I met somebody so promising and they refused to take it further/give me any information). They part ways, with Sara firm in her belief that they’re meant to get together, they will. No phone numbers or last names, she insists. The universe will decide. If I were Jonathon, I would go home disappointed, but then realize anyone that crazy wasn’t my soul mate anyways.

Fast forward a few years. Sara and Jonathon have gone on with their lives, are about to get married (to different people), but neither one can forget that fateful evening. (Why oh why didn’t Jonathan insist on more information?) Both parties seem to regret Sara’s ridiculous reasoning. The whole rest of the movie is a frustrating series of near misses as they go on a last-ditch quest to find each other.

I won’t give it away if they do or not. (Your guess is right though; Serendipity is not the type of movie for last-minute twists). John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale do have a nice chemistry, and yes, the premise is rather neat. It’s just – it’s a little too impossible. I also dislike movies where the perfectly nice boyfriend/girlfriend have to get heartbrokenly shoved aside so the two leads can get together. How do they pick up and move on? This situation certainly wasn’t serendipitous to them.

I did enjoy the long-suffering best friends in this movie, though. Jeremy Piven and Molly Shannon were enjoyable and fresh – and as baffled at Jon and Sara’s behaviour as I was. Also, Bridget Moynahan is always whiny, has a weird mouth/nose, and never seems to look as if she has enough sleep. Is it just me, or is she always just, meh?

Serendipity has a nice idea for a story – but it’s just a little too impractical – or maybe I’m just a little too cynical to believe in this kind of story anymore.