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The Movie: Movie : Serendipity The dictionary defines the word Serendipity as being 1: the faculty of making fortunate discoveries by accident. 2: The fact or occurrence of such discoveries; 3 : An instance of making such a discovery. To me the term means much the same and as I get older it becomes more and more meaningful to my life. I began life as a skeptic thinking that what's going to happen is going to happen one way or another. With a mind set like this I spent a great amount of time just idling by and waiting for that certain moment. For example there were these girls I had crushes on in school. Two really great girls that I considered good friends that I really wanted to ask out. Admittedly, I was unsure of myself and totally afraid of rejection. I tried asking on what seems like millions of occasions, during class, at the school dances and at almost every other school related event one could think of . Still I just couldn't do it and after 4 years of this fear for one girl and 2 for another time was running out. Senior year and prom were just around the corner and before you know it these girls would be out of my life forever. What once was a general interest in dating this one girl now became even worse as I wanted to go to prom with her. I tried for days and weeks to ask her but I just couldn't. One day it was too late, a guy I know and don't really consider a friend asked her and I was crushed not because I didn't ask her but because he did. I thought fate was being cruel but under no circumstance was I going to miss my Senior Prom. So I went with another girl who didn't go to the same school and all the guys were truly envious of me and my date. I however was preoccupied still trying to get at least a dance with someone I thought could be the one. Well the hours progressed and I hung out with the DJ talking shop Suddenly it's the last dance of the night and I still haven't gotten up the courage to ask that girl to dance. Adding to all this, I'm pretty sure my date thought I was a total jerk for ignoring her for most of the night. Rob the DJ and I were getting along well though and we were talking about him maybe offering me a job. So I was pretty happy that I wouldn't walk away from the night with nothing. Well as fate would have it Rob and I selected "I'll Make Love To You" by Boyz II Men as the final song and suddenly I look behind me and there she is. One of the most beautiful girls in the school, someone I considered a friend. I don't know what exactly happened but I found the words I had been looking for so long. "Would you like to dance?" I said and then the pause came and while it couldn't have been more then mere seconds it seemed like an eternity. She said "Yes" and now finally after years of waiting I had done it. I'm sure I was nervous and probably somewhat klutzy but for those 4 minutes and the hours after I was in heaven. As the song ended and we both went our separate ways it was time to find my date. Though I would never go on to have a relationship with the girl from the dance my fear of rejection was finally swashed. It was at this moment that I realized that I had to change my life and live in the here and now. That night fate and destiny were on my side. I should have known all this when the final song was chosen as it had played a big part in my life before.In those last 5 minutes before the biggest event of my high school years had passed my night went from good to amazing. It was truly an act of Serendipity. As my last real window of opportunity was closing suddenly the wind blew it wide open and said "Go for it". That day changed me and will forever remain one of the best in my life. But enough about me as Serendipity is also the title of the new film starring Pearl Harbor's Kate Beckinsale and John Cusack. The year is 1994 and the busy Christmas rush in New York City is in full swing as shoppers scramble to get that last minute gift for their special someone. Inside Bloomingdales things couldn't get more crazy as people are grabbing items out of the re stocker's basket. In fact by the time a basket of gloves make it to the rack all but one pair has been sold As the clerk puts the item on the rack Jonathan (John Cusack) and Sarah (Kate Beckinsale) both grab for it at the same time. Both being very polite and understanding want the other to have the gloves. So they put it back on the rack so they can have a discussion as they both give convincing stories about who the gift was for. Sarah wins and they both go to a small cafe where they begin to hit it off. Hours later they are skating in Central Park and having a magical time. As they are about to part company Sarah begins to write her name and number down but before she can finish a truck speeds by and the number flies away in the breeze. Fate has stepped in. When Jonathan asks her to write it down again she won't claiming that fate has stepped in and that if they are meant to be together then they will find one another again. So she takes a book and write's her name and number inside the cover and Jonathan takes a $5 bill and does the same. She then puts both items back in circulation by spending the money and selling the book. A number of years pass and both Jonathan and Sarah find themselves engaged to be married. Jonathan to Hallie (Bridget Moynahan) and Sarah to Lars (John Corbett). As they prepare for their weddings little things remind them of each other and they begin to try and find one another which is not easy as Sarah has moved and there is little time before their weddings. Those people going to see Serendipity will already have a good idea of the events in this movie from the trailer and now my review. Do I feel that I have spoiled the film with my summary of it's events. No. Like most romantic comedies the focus is not the ending of the movie itself but more how the characters get to the ending. In "Serendipity" the characters go through some hilarious moments and some endearing moments in their search for each other. The fairy tale aspects of the story are refreshing and meaningful even though the story has been told before. Relationships may not always end happily in real life and while I do like a good movie that is the exception to that rule deep down inside I like a fairy tale ending too. Kate Beckinsale is an London born actress who American audiences will know from this summer's blockbuster movie Pearl Harbor. From the first time I saw Kate I knew that she was special. She has a classic timeless beauty and is a very talented actress. In Serendipity Kate plays Sarah a free spirited girl who believes that everything happens for a reason and while we all have some control over our lives some of it is best left up to chance. Kate who speaks with her natural British accent here is excellent in her role. John Cusack is a guy's romantic comedy actor and when given good material he is one of the best. Cusack who was last seen in the Julia Robert's romantic comedy "America's Sweethearts" is once again on his game here. Although his material isn't always as sharp as in "America's Sweethearts" or "High Fidelity" he does have a number of good comedic moments. Jeremy Piven is a underrated comedic talent in Hollywood with roles in "The Family Man" and most recently "Rush Hour 2". His character Dean is given some of the films best lines and though he struggles through his more dramatic scenes his performance is still quite good. John Corbett also turns in a funny performance as Lars, Sarah's fiance. Last but certainly not least Eugene Levy's gives a show stopping performance as a Department store salesman. Also co-starring are Molly Shannon (The Grinch, Saturday Night Live) and Bridget Moynahan (Coyote Ugly). Director Peter Chelsom has had a string of bad luck in Hollywood with his last two pictures facing major release delays. His last film "Town and Country" was shot in 1999 and finally found it's release to theaters earlier this year. "Serendipity" was also originally scheduled for an August bow but was pushed back due to the heavy slate of movies in August and because studio executives didn't want to compete against the other Cusack feature. Now that's it finally released I'm happy to say the wait was well worth it. Director Chelsom does give into most of the genre's cliches but doesn't over stay his welcome. The film zips along and at just under 90 minutes it's length is perfect. Aside from "Hardball" the month of September was one of the worst months for new releases that I can remember in a long time. Miramax who also distributed the underrated romantic drama "Bounce" last year during the crowded Christmas season has found the right time to release this film. "Bounce" suffered from a low box office due to the number of Holiday releases and I felt that was quite a shame. Miramax has pinpointed the perfect weekend coming in after the busy summer period and before the busy Holiday period. "Serendipity" is not perfect nor does it even strive to be that way. It is however a fun tale of pure romantic fantasy that will touch the souls of all who view it. It's quirky, it's cute and it's funny. "Serendipity" is the fall's great date movie and fans of the genre will be more then pleased. Recommended. Movie Rating : 8/10 Reviewed October 4 by Mark McLeod |