User reviews

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")

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.

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.

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.

Plot

A couple search for each other years after the night they first met, fell in love, and separated, convinced that one day they'd end up together.

Cast

John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale lead and both excel while flanked by Jeremy Piven, Eugene Levy but sadly also Molly Shannon.

Verdict

Serendipity is one of those movies it's no exaggeration to say I fell in love with after my first viewing, such an endearing, gloriously woven, masterfully crafted tale and my opinion has changed but only very slightly over the years.

You see it's a wonderful romance with enough comedy to add to how charming it is but not enough to take away from its core elements. It's a movie with cast who consistently knock it out of the park and leads who deliver wonderfully. It's a film with a fantastic soundtrack (Both score and licensed), amazing cinematography and leaves you with a smile on your face. Do you know how rare you can say that about a movie? I adore Serendipity, it's everything a film should be.

Rants

So, as I said my opinion has changed and the film has dropped from a 10/10 to a 9/10 and that's because my adult sensibilities and experiences have shifted. My issue? It's the dynamic of the characters meeting while both involved with someone else, that arguably the only reason nothing happens between them is because of the elevator debacle and that they spend the next few years obsessing over each other despite being engaged to their significant others. As I've grown older I've garnered an appreciation for just how messed up this is and it ever so slightly spoils this otherwise masterpiece.

The Good

Incredible cast Fantastic soundtrack Great cinematography Wondrous script Wholesome and endearing throughout

The Bad

Molly Shannon is just awful here The cheating dynamic bothers me greatly.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.'"

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....

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.

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!

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.

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.