Customer Reviews

Serendipity [VHS]

5 star:		(116)
4 star:		(68)
3 star:		(27)
2 star:		(23)
1 star:		(17)

 

 

I am not sure how much I believe in serendipity - good fortune discovered by accident also known as fate, but this movie could make a believer out of me. John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale are wonderful together as soul mates that overcome every obstacle to be together! They are successful because it was meant to be. If you can't suspend reality, and just go with the flow, then this movie probably isn't for you. It is meant for those that can have faith.

Do you believe in love? Fate? That everything happens for a reason? Astrology? Premonitions? Near misses of should-of-beens? Well, neither do I. However, this film is full of ALL of these things and come to find out the story is delightful!

John Cusack is a way-cool actor. He always plays the type of guy you want to root for to prevail in some off-the-wall struggle. Kate Beckinsale is nothing short of gorgeous and her British accent is a charming ingredient of this comical look at a love-story-gone-awry.

Cuscack & Beckinsale play a couple of New Yorkers who "accidently" meet up one night. Turns out, they REALLY hit it off. Due to a sequence of unlikely events, they are separated and go their separate ways.

A few years later both are supposed to be married - almost on the same day. Only problem is (you guessed it) by now they're supposed to marry different people. At the eleventh hour both start having second thoughts and begin having reveries about their one enchanting evening together.

The balance of the story traces their attempts to get back in touch with each other while their friends believe they've gone looney. The result is what is quite possibly the funnest & sweetest Romantic Comedy since WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING.

If you have a date tonight, I would SERIOUSLY recommend this film. If you don't have a date tonight, find one & then watch it together. As a last resort, watch it by yourself. Remember: everything happens for a reason! OK, OK, maybe it doesn't - but that doesn't mean you shouldn't buy this DVD!

I watched this film again after seeing it in theaters several years ago, and I had forgotten how cool it was. I remember overhearing a lady in the row in front of me groaning and complaining at every seemingly contrived moment of serendipity that befalls the "soul mates" played wonderfully by John Cusack and the gorgeous Kate Beckinsale, whom I could stare at forever as well as listen to her speak without ever growing tired of it. Anyhow, I guess I understood the lady's skepticism...this movie does appear to be so outlandishly contrived that it strains credibility. Yet, what appealed to me about this movie is that I had similar moments of serendipity/coincidences with a girl I dated in 2000. Seeing this film brings back my own memories...so trust me when I say that the things in this movie can happen to people. I'm one of those people.

Romantic comedies have the poor habit of following the standard, boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy and girl reconcile, and all is happily ever after. This doesn't wander too far from that formula, but its so downright clever, watchable, and enjoyable that you can't help but fall in love with the story and characters. Romantic comedies also tend to feature interesting selections of music, and this one is no different. I actually enjoyed the song selections in this film and not one of them was familiar to me (using oldies that have appeared in countless other films). I especially got a kick out of Lars, the Yanni-esque boyfriend of Sara (Beckinsale). His new age music is poked fun at by Sara and her sidekick friend (played to comedic effect by an SNL-alum), but I actually thought that was cool about him. Eugene Levy also has a couple scene-stealing moments with his usual brand of comedic seriousness and Jeremy Piven plays the sidekick role he often plays in films.

This film throws every obstacle to keep the two apart and its an amusing development to watch. Overall though, you know the two are destined to be together and its just as well. So, for all the skeptics out there who find this film outlandishly contrived, please suspend your disbelief and realize that such romantic possibilities and coincidences are possible. I experienced it myself a few years ago, so that's why I find this film to be quite credible, not to mention funny and entertaining in its own right.

Sometimes, destiny creates accidents. We called them signs. Other times, those signs can bring us true love.

Such an ultra romantic idea is the base of the film Serendipity, a tender fable that pays homage to New York as the city of romance and puts destiny in Cupid's role.

John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale are Johnathan and Sara, two strangers that meet in Bloomingdale's, in the midst of Christmas shopping. They like each other instantly and, after spending the night together, Sara is convinced that, if she and Jonathan are meant for each other, destiny will find a way to unite them again.

The years go by and the couple goes separate ways. Just about to get married with different people, the signs appear again and both John and Sara keep thinking about the other one and the fact that they could be soul mates.

A charming premise, although completely unrealistic, Serendipity takes us for a road full of incidents, magical coincidences, races against time and a complete faith in the triumph of love.

Cleverly written, well acted and displaying beautiful NY sights, this is a very bubbly and sweet movie. For happy endings fans, it will be an obligation to see it. For the rest of us cynics, it will be a waste of time.

Oh Kate, of the enormous white teeth and John of raven hair, black as night! Who couldn't watch these two for a few hours, even though they rarely appear on screen together? But the pair with the greatest chemistry in this movie are real-life best friends John Cusack and Jeremy Piven. Piven gets to use his acting chops a bit more here than he did in a similar best-buddy role in Family Man, and to good advantage. He is the emotional underpinning of this movie, and the only one who seems to really learn anything. Piven deserves to be moved up from supporting actor to lead roles, and soon. Another secondary character worth watching is Northern Exposure vet John Corbett, showing good sportsmanship as a godawful new-age musician/entertainer. Corbett's character is the only truly new addition to a plot cobbled from many others mentioned by other reviewers. The scene where he is watching his own music video for the first time is the funniest in the movie.

The director spares us from bothersome breakups with the cruelly tossed aside fiances, who must do all their wailing and gnashing off camera. How un-flattering that would be to the glossy leads! And as a book collecter I had to laugh at Cusack's obsessive legwork in search of a certain copy of Love in the Time of Cholera, which he could have probably found in a few phone calls after a half-hour internet search.

Enjoy this movie for charming characters and a light romance--just don't think about it too much!

Romantic love story that all women secretly wish would happen to them!! I love Kate Beckinsale, it was nice to see her in a romantic love story. Great movie about the power optimism.

Theatrical Release Date Oct. 5, 2001
DVD Release Date April 9, 2002. (91 Minutes)
Director: Peter Chelsom
Writer(s): Marc Klein

The Casting of John Cusack(Jonathan) and Kate Beckinsale(Sara) is Perfect!!

A Wonderful Romantic Comedy between Two New Yorkers in New York City who spend a couple of Magical Hours together. To Test Fate, Sara writes her Phone number on a (Used Book Title: Love in the Time of Cholera), Which Sara sells the next day at a Used Book Store.

Jonathan writes his Phone Number on the backside of a Five Dollar Bill in a Pink Marker Color!! Then, Sara uses the currency to purchase a Candy from a street vendor that Night allowing Fate to determine if they are meant to be Together!!

They are suppported by a Wonderful Cast. You will see many familiar faces once you watch the Movie.
Some of the Supporting Cast includes: Jeremy Piven(Jonathan's BestFriend), Molly Shannon(Sara's BestFriend), John Corbett(Sara's Fiance), Bridget Moynahan(Jonathan's Fiancee) and Eugene Levy(Retail Sales Associate) to mention a few.

The Movie gives HOPE to Single people seeking the "ONE". Serendipity also addresses Couples that need to lite their Fires Again!!!

The Movie implies that "By Throwing Caution to the Wind, You are allowing Fate to Decide your path in Life." This practice of Understanding will make you more aware that "Once Doors Closed Windows will Open."

This Movie enforces my thoughts of "Forget the Past and Future, Live the Present Moment!! You can only enjoy this Second of Time!!

Remember that their are Windows and Clues all around us but one must look and believe!!!

Enjoy the Movie and Relax!!!

Amazing movie - romantic comedy but surprisingly entertaining!! Highly recommend!! (even my boyfriend liked it!!)

This is a feel-good, sweet movie. It is great for all the hopeless romantics out there. It will leave you feeling hopeful that you can find the love of your life.

An outstanding romantic comedy, Serendipity, brings to the screen the love story of two young people; an American man and a British woman who meet in NY by chance only to keep on bumping into each other before they make it work out.
It is a film about human relations, hope and second chances, but most importantly about trust, love, and inner strength.
John Cusack, Kate Beckinsale and the rest of the cast, have truly outdone themselves with their performances, which are exceptional to say the least! All the actors, without exceptions, give it their 100% and it really shows (the chemistry is AMAZING)! Very well written and very well presented, the movie is without a doubt guaranteed to provide more than just a few laughs, not to mention a few tears. The film is simple enough, but does a great job of describing people's every day lives and the problems they face. It just goes to show that simplicity is often far better than complexity, when trying to present issues of a human nature.
The setting, the plot, the dialogues, the humor, and the music are all wonderful!
In short, Serendipity is a movie definitely worth watching and one to seriously consider adding to your movie collection!