Christmas Marathon: Serendipity (2001)

SERENDIPITY

Director: Peter Chelsom

Cast: John Cusack, Kate Beckinsale, Jeremy Piven

This movie is set during Christmas season in the beginning when Jonathan Trager (John Cusack) and Sara Thomas (Kate Beckinsale) meet at a department store both looking at the only pair of black winter gloves left.  They end up spending that night together not even knowing each other’s names.   They both had their own relationships already.  Sara believes in fate and how fate will bring you together if you’re meant to be. Finally they part with only knowing each other’s name and each with their own name and contact information on two different items.  Jonathan’s on a 5-dollar bill and Sara’s in a book Love in time of Cholera.  Flash forward, years later, they both are engaged not to each other, but someone else.  It is then they both believe to see signs and go off for one last search for each other.

This is a romantic comedy set during Christmas in the beginning, however, no part of it relates to it.  I do enjoy to watch it though.  Its not my favorite but its a nice idea they have here.  I believe in fate and that everything happens for a reason.  However, most of the time, reality doesn’t tell you the same thing.  This movie appealed to me as it is a dream I’d like to believe, although I’d say that how I met my boyfriend has a lot to do with it. Other than liking the whole foundation of this movie, I like John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale in this movie.  For one, I had seen John Cusack walk right next to me while he was shooting a scene from The Factory. (Side track a little, I just realized this movie was released, and I didn’t even know.) He delivers a great and charming role in a man who thinks leaving your outcomes to fate is ridiculous to someone who has faith and belief in it to run after the woman he thinks is the love of his life.  When Kate Beckinsale isn’t running of the supernaturals (which she does quite often, Underworld movies, Van Helsing), she’s a pretty charming actress as well.  I like the fact that she smiles in this.  Its a fun and silly adventure to search for someone you only their name, and how fate plays these little tricks on you but in the end will always lead you to what who you are destined to be with.

However, I’m guessing this one is affected by how much you believe in this. If you think believing in fate and destiny is ridiculous, my guess is that it won’t be to your liking.  This is definitely not your cup of tea. But, if you do like a cute little romantic comedy, this is fun and delightful.  It has some funny moments, some silly moments, some happy moments and some you just want to cheer either Jonathan or Sara on in their search.

Do you believe in fate and destiny? Is Serendipity something that you would enjoy or have enjoyed? Even if you didn’t, what didn’t you like about it?