Serendipity
Matinee Plus Snacks
What a delicious conceit that all the stars and fates and powers that be have a hand in our destinies, so that we can stumble across the person with whom we are meant to be through fortune alone. It's definitely escapist to be selfish, and what better way to be selfish than in the fictionalized pursuit of true love? This is definitely one of those movies where the ending is in no doubt; the joy is in the journey. And thankfully, the preview actually leaves us with some surprises!
The characters in this movie wisely suggest on more than one occasion that leaving everything to fate isn't living at all, and they are correct. It's entertaining as well to watch people who generally are intelligent and well-read and the type to scoff at horoscopy new agey kinds of intuitive pseudo-science to also be utterly captivated by the magic of their connection. It is, after all, magic that appears in a non-magical world that is the most wondrous. Seriously, how many times can magic happen in a fairy-world before it becomes mundane? It's the same kind of acceptable magic that made Sleepless in Seattle such a winsome film. Amusingly, all their rational, scientific machinations to force fate into finding each other again are nothing compared to the witless, accidental almost-path-crossings throughout this film. It's a delight to watch two charming people, charmed by each other, twisting in the fickle wind of destiny.
It also doesn't hurt that Kate Beckinsale is a dreamy perfect girl, and it's no secret that every woman at some point has objectified John Cusack as the perfect man. How could they not be perfect for each other? Instead of holding up the jam box outside Kate's window, however, John has to really get down to some stalker nitty gritty...meanwhile, the ladies are all charmed that he would go to so much effort. That's what's romantic, that passion despite all reason.
Plotwise, their interest/love/connection has to be immediate and distracting, and perhaps it's a little unfair to so easily discard their existing mates. Kate's mate is pretty annoying, but Cusack's is not. My companion wished she had been more villainized, but I disagree. Sometimes someone can be perfectly wonderful but still not The One perfect one. If she's a villain, then he's an idiot for being duped by her. If she's a sweetie, then only his predestined soulmate can trump her.
In the meantime, it's also beautifully shot with lovely music and pretty little running visuals. We sit in the dark, watching the screen for clues (like watching The Sixth Sense for the 2nd time) and wriggling in delicious agony every time they have a near miss...very nice teases. The supporting cast includes the under-appreciated Jeremy Piven and Eugene Levy, supporting and/or not condoning this mad quest, as well as Molly Shannon in a surprisingly Joan Cusack-esque best friend role. (That's a compliment).
I would only recommend it as a date movie for people who are totally convinced that they belong together, their meeting was pre-ordained, all that good stuff. Otherwise you are just planting the seeds of doubt and worry where Hollywood certainly did not intend for them to go. But it's worth the money.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ These reviews (c) 2001 Karina Montgomery. Please feel free to forward but just credit the reviewer in the text. Thanks. cinerina@flash.net Check out previous reviews at: http://www.cinerina.com http://ofcs.rottentomatoes.com - the Online Film Critics Society http://www.hsbr.net/reviews/karina/ - Hollywood Stock Exchange Brokerage Resource http://www.mediamotions.com http://www.capitol-city.com
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