Serendipity – Good Things Happen to Those who Wait by Homer Yen (c) 2001
Did you ever make eye contact with a total stranger and feel that a mysterious connection had been established? Do you think that fate has a funny way of bringing people together (or keeping them apart)? Do you believe in magic? If you've answered "yes" to all of these questions, then you'll be happy to discover "Serendipity" at your local cineplex. It's a delightful romantic comedy about two lovable people destined to be with each other.
When Jonathan (Jon Cusack) and Sara (Kate Beckinsdale) first met, they had felt that mysterious connection. They first bumped into each in the days before Christmas. With the holiday cheer wafting through the air, a lively Louis Armstrong soundtrack in the background, and their instant chemistry, audience members immediately want them to get under the mistletoe. She writes down her name and number on a scrap of paper. But as she hands it to him, a sudden wind carries it away. Jonathan says to ignore that occurrence, but Sara says that it's a sign.
Indeed, fate has a funny way of keeping people apart. To her, this means something. Still, she's willing to give it one more chance, and writes her number inside the cover of a book. Tomorrow she'll sell it, and maybe one day he'll find it somewhere at a local bookstore. Meanwhile, she asks him to write his number on the back of a $5 bill. She spends it but says that if things are meant to be, the bill will wind up in her hands again. "How can you leave it all to chance," Jonathan asks incredulously? "Have faith in destiny," she replies. Sadly, the two separate and the chances of them ever finding each other are as likely as winning the Powerball.
Years later, we see Jonathan engaged. But he still looks through used bookstores every now and then. Meanwhile Sara is also engaged. Yet she occasionally flips through her wallet for $5 bills. Even apart, these two exude undeniable romantic tension. And, when both of them realize that they need to find each other, the audience (those who believe in romance and magic) is ready to follow them to the ends of the earth.
Fate begins to play funny tricks on these two as they begin an Agatha Christie-like pursuit for one another, tracking down years-old leads and falling back on gut feelings. They experience a series of cosmic coincidences, parallels, and agonizing near-misses. Maybe they are destined to be with each other…maybe not.
While this so-close-yet-so-far setup will strike a chord with the romantic-at-heart, most would still appreciate the film's other element about best friends. When times are confusing, best friends help to provide light. Sara's friend, down-to-earth Eve (Molly Shannon), tries to convince her that she's on a wild goose chase to find a stranger that she only met briefly. Jonathan's friend, I'll-do-anything-in-the-name-of-love Dean (Jeremy Priven), encourages his friend because this element is missing from his relationship. We can all relate to Eve and Dean; we all need more friends like them. And we can enjoy this pleasant film because it makes us believe that there is someone out there for all of us. Ain't the universe grand?
Grade: B
S: 1 out of 3 L: 0 out of 3 V: 0 out of 3
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