British director Peter Chelsom and writer Marc Klein almost seem to take pride in having made a cookie-cutter movie, and to be fair, they've made a rather tasty confection.
Serendipity (2001)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted:128
Fresh:74
Rotten:54
Average Rating:5.8/10
Consensus: Light and charming, Serendipity could benefit from less contrivances.
Theatrical Release:Oct 5, 2001 Wide
Box Office: $49,968,653
Synopsis: New York City, just before Christmas. The last pair of black cashmere gloves in Bloomingdale's is on its way to the counter. As the gloves arrive, Sara (Kate Beckinsale) and Jonathan (John Cusack)... New York City, just before Christmas. The last pair of black cashmere gloves in Bloomingdale's is on its way to the counter. As the gloves arrive, Sara (Kate Beckinsale) and Jonathan (John Cusack) claim them simultaneously. And so it begins--Sara and Jonathan go to a little coffee shop, named Serendipity, to decide who gets the gloves. They skate in Central Park. They look at the stars--the Cassiopeia constellation has the same pattern as the freckles on Sara's forearm. She writes her phone number in a book, saying she'll sell it to a random bookstore tomorrow. Jonathan writes his number on a five-dollar bill and she gives it to a street vendor. If destiny means them to be together, the book will find him, and the five-dollar bill will find her. Several years later--in New York--Jonathan is about to marry Hally (Bridget Moynahan). On the West Coast, Lars (John Corbett) proposes to Sara. Both Jonathan and Sara remember their delightful night. Jonathan sets out with friend Dean (Jeremy Piven) to find the book. Sara, with her friend Eve (Molly Shannon), flies to New York looking for Jonathan. Crisp direction from Peter Chelsom, a witty script by Marc Klein, and beautiful performances by John Cusak and Kate Beckinsale, make SERENDIPITY a delightful romantic comedy. [More]
Starring: Kate Beckinsale, John Cusack, John Corbett, Eugene Levy
Starring: Kate Beckinsale, John Cusack, John Corbett, Eugene Levy, Jeremy Piven, Molly Shannon, Bridget Moynahan
Director: Peter Chelsom
Director: Peter Chelsom
Screenwriter: Marc Klein
Producer: Simon Fields, Peter Abrams, Robert L. Levy
Composer: Alan Silvestri
Studio: Miramax Films
Get This Movie
Rent DVD
Click on the "ADD" button to put this movie into your Netflix queue.
Buy DVD
Release:
Apr 9, 2002
Reviews for Serendipity
The pace is brisk and the details are carefully arranged, but there's no sparkle -- and what's a romance without that?
This romantic confection has all the weight of a soap bubble, but it has all the sheen and charm of one, too.
So stringently a 'romantic comedy,' you could review it with a pie chart.
Such sharp casting and performances is a testament to the wonderful directing job by Chelsom.
Serendipity at least lets us believe that we have some control over the choices we make in our lives, a comforting thought right now.
Magic that appears in a non-magical world is most wondrous...delight to watch two people charmed by each other twisting in the fickle wind of destiny.
Whether viewed out of choice or preordainment, Serendipity probably won't disappoint many viewers.
Latest News for Serendipity
April 18, 2007:
Kate Beckinsale as "Barbarella"?
This word arrives by way of a British gossip column, so you know what to do with it, but here's the dirt: Kate Beckinsale is apparently being considered for the lead role in... More...
June 30, 2005:
A Quartet of Performers Sign Up for Pang's Next Horror
Courtesy of The Hollywood Reporter comes some casting news on an upcoming and as-yet-untitled horror movie from Oxide & Danny Pang. The Columbia Pictures project now has... More...
June 05, 2001:
Director Peter Chelsom has not had particularly good luck of late, at least not yet at the American box office. ![]()
More...
June 05, 2001:
What's the big deal? The romantic comedy prince and the Pearl Harbor princess test fate in the Big Apple. ![]()
More...
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 36% 36% | Angels & Demons |
| 25% 25% | Four Christmases |
| 68% 68% | Funny People |
| 95% 95% | Star Trek |
| 14% 14% | The Ugly Truth |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 32% 32% | Terminator Salvation |
| 44% 44% | Night at the Museum: B… |
| 86% 86% | A Christmas Tale |
| 60% 60% | Paper Heart |
RT On Current TV
DIRECTV 358 | Comcast 107 | DISH Network 196
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
CloseSponsored Links
Around The Network
- Serendipity at Rotten Tomatoes
- Serendipity at IGN
- Serendipity at AskMen
Fresh Links
Featured

MSN Movies offers a little background on the success of Disney Animation.

TIME takes a look back at the history of vampires on film.

Techland examines the visual splendor of Peter Jackson's upcoming film.

AOL put together a list of 10 recent news items that would be perfect as TV Movies.

Hollywood.com's C. Robert Cargill explores how remakes and reboots have warped our thinking.
Promos

Get the latest Tomatometer updates on upcoming movies!



Top Critic


