Serendipity - A Movie Review

You don’t have to understand, you just have to have faith - in destiny.

Serendipity found its way into theaters in 2001. After meeting one night, a couple is convinced that fate brought them together. Unfortunately, they are separated. Years later, both are trying to find each other on upon an episode of coincidences.

Every year around Christmas I am always looking for new holiday films to watch. Serendipity is a feel-good story. Whether you believe in fate or coincidences, this film teaches viewers to always take advantage of love before it disappears.

To keep with the genuine atmosphere of the story, John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale only saw each other when they were performing their scenes together. I enjoyed it when they were running around town or up and down elevators just to see if their meetings are a coincidence.

Both were terrific in their performances, especially Cusack. Either I have not seen him in enough films with his comedic side or I need to see me because he had me cracking up a lot.

Other credits include Jeremy Piven and Molly Shannon. Friends always make every situation better. The actors built great chemistry, working off one another very well. Serendipity is all about the characters.

My favorite supporting role of all was Eugene Levy. As a Bloomingdale salesman who takes his job way too seriously, he was hilarious. Other credits include Bridget Moynahan, John Corbett, Marcia Bennett, Eve Crawford, and Kevin Rice.

Moynahan and Corbett’s characters could have been used better. Honestly, I feel bad for their outcomes by the end. There’s not much resolution given to them.

Except, most of the women characters all looked the same! Seriously, they had the same hairstyle, color, and length. And similar facial structures. It was tough to tell them apart. I would have told the director or someone on the hair and makeup team to change the hairstyles around to have more variety.

Aside from the characters, another remarkable part about this film is the way it connects with audiences. You feel the letdown when plans don’t go accordingly, and the excitement. Honestly, I thought differently about the film, thinking it would be predictable. It’s not. It keeps you guessing.

Peter Chelsom worked tremendously on character direction and background moments. The dialogue is good and comedy was dictated well. Chelsom added small moments in this adventure.

Although, everything felt like too much of a coincidence by the end. It lost the magic that it had in the beginning. It’s a different kind of romance film. It may not keep the audience's attention the entire time, but it’s fun.

The best locations in New York were used for filming. My favorite was the ice skating rink, especially when it snowed. The busy life of New York City was administered well. There’s always someone on the run.

What is a coincidence? Do you believe in them? Whether you believe in them or not, nobody should ever take life for granted. Our decisions are based on actions. Make choices that you know will make you happy. Life is all about the unexpected.

Serendipity is a beautiful love story. I would change a couple of story elements, like more interactions between the main stars. Their chemistry is what sells the film in the beginning. It felt missing throughout the middle half of the story. Serendipity is entertaining, funny, and it’s a nice story for the holiday season.

I recommend that you watch Serendipity this holiday season. It is entertaining and it’s a charming film. Serendipity is a fun watch and it is sure to make you smile.