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Do
you believe in destiny? Start pondering it now and maybe
"Serendipity" can give you more food for thought....or
hugely lavish ice-blended coffee drinks, like the ones that this
movie's characters consume at the title's namesake New York City cafe.
Jonathan
and Sara meet at Bloomingdale's during the height of Christmas
craziness. They want the same pair of gloves? Fate?
She ends up with the cashmere comfort, takes him to Serendipity as a
thank-you, and she informs him of the word's meaning-- Fate
("accidental fortune"). They decid not to see each
other again but they both forget belongings at the cafe.
Fate? They have a lovely evening but leave another meeting up
to-- you guessed it-- fate. Will he marry a seemingly perfect
woman who is just not Sara? Will she be wed to a dramatic
musician? Will they ever meet again?
The
answers are as predictable as can be, but the essence of this movie
is in the ride. It's bumpy but also silly. There's a
quality reminiscent of Classic Hollywood-- you can almost see Jimmy
Stewart playing Jonathan. The only disappointment is just how
much this film does depend on fate to carry it through-- we are asked
to accept that these two people belong together. And that maybe
they have a choice in the matter-- but probably not. Even when
Sara temporarily decides that Kismet is hooey, we have nothing to look
forward to but her finding Jonathan.
If
you're not in need of a generous helping of John Cusack and you want a
movie about destiny, you'd probably be better served by "Happy
Accidents". It's smarter, quirkier, more involving,
less predictable-- simply put, better. If you do choose to view
"Serendipity", and perhaps you should for the fun and the
semi-magic, try to see an off-peak showing. Try Tuesday
afternoon. then perhaps you can be spared from fellow audience
members who want everyone in the theater to be aware of their keen
ability to point out the obvious. "Ooh! Did Jonathan
just find Sara's jacket?" "Ooh, they just missed each other
in the taxi cab!" And on and on...
-- Liz
( 2 1/2 out of 4 pops )
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