Serendipity

2001

Serendipity

Critics Consensus

Light and charming, Serendipity could benefit from less contrivances.

58%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 138

79%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 228,202

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Serendipity Photos

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Movie Info

On a bustling shopping day in the winter of 1990, Jonathon Trager meets Sara Thomas. Two strangers amid the masses in NYC, their paths collide in the mad holiday rush as they fall victim to a mutual attraction. Despite the fact that each is involved in another relationship, Jonathon and Sara spend the evening wandering Manhattan. But when the night reaches it's inevitable end, the two are forced into determining some kind of next step. When the smitten Jonathon suggests an exchange of phone numbers, Sara balks and proposes an idea that will allow fate to take control of their future. If they are meant to be together, she tells him, they will find their way back into one another's life.
  • Rating:
    PG-13 (for a scene of sexuality, and for brief language)
  • Genre:
    Comedy, Romance
  • Directed By:
    Peter Chelsom
  • Written By:
    Marc Klein
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Box Office:
    $49,968,653
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    Miramax Films

Cast

John Cusack
as Jonathan Trager
Kate Beckinsale
as Sara Thomas
Jeremy Piven
as Dean
Molly Shannon
as Eve
John Corbett
as Lars Hammond
Bridget Moynahan
as Halley Buchanan
Eugene Levy
as Bloomingdale's Salesman
Lucy Gordon
as Caroline Mitchell
Kate Blumberg
as Courtney
Mike Benitez
as Superintendent
Pamela Redfern
as Flight Attendant
Brenda Logan
as Hair Stylist
Colleen Williams
as Hippie Woman
Stephen Bruce
as Host at Serendipity
Aron Tager
as Janitor
Christopher Baker
as Lars' Band Member No. 1
Neil Claxton
as Lars' Band Member No. 2
Murray McRae
as Priest
Evan Neuman
as Kenny
Kevin Rice
as Kip
Leo Fitzpatrick
as Leasing Office Temp
Ron Payne
as Louis Trager
John Ellison Conlee
as Artie
Victor Young
as Mr. Buchanan
Eve Crawford
as Mrs. Buchanan
Marcia Bennett
as Mrs. Trager
Jamie Goodwin
as Nick Roberts
Buck Henry
as Glove Shopper (uncredited)
Ajay Mehta
as Pakistani Driver
Sandra Caldwell
as PR Woman
Reggi Wyns
as Rastafarian
T. Scott Cunningham
as Ryan
Jessica Kelly
as Sara Lawson
Simon Jutras
as Sebastain
Marqus Bobesich
as Street Vendor
Catherine Hernandez
as Waitress at Serendipity
Catherine Kuhn
as Wedding Coordinator
Clark Middleton
as Airport Cab Driver
David Sparrow
as Josh's Dad
Gary Gerbrandt
as Josh
Conrad Bergschneider
as Check-in Clerk
Lilli Lavine
as Bloomingdale's Stock Girl
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Critic Reviews for Serendipity

All Critics (138) | Top Critics (36) | Fresh (80) | Rotten (58)

  • "Serendipity" will serve as an excellent gauge of any viewer's tolerance level for schmaltzy contrivance and manipulation.

    August 19, 2008 | Full Review…

    Todd McCarthy

    Variety
    Top Critic

  • Despite borrowing two of its supporting cast from TV's Sex and the City, the film has no bite and too few jokes; its unabashed romanticism is just plain flimsy when a vapid Beckinsale is supposedly The One.

    February 9, 2006 | Full Review…

    Derek Adams

    Time Out
    Top Critic

  • Well, of course Serendipity is only supposed to be a romantic comedy. But it can't be funny or romantic unless we can believe in it at some level. And this is quite impossible. It really is an affair to forget.

    January 6, 2002 | Full Review…

    Peter Bradshaw

    Guardian
    Top Critic

  • Wittily scripted, beautifully played by an excellent cast, and just so darned... nice, this is must-see viewing for the romantics.

    December 17, 2001 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…

    Jane Crowther

    BBC.com
    Top Critic

  • A movie I found myself liking more than perhaps I should.

    October 18, 2001 | Full Review…

    Andrew Sarris

    Observer
    Top Critic

  • Fluffy and innocuous as Cool Whip, it is nonetheless uplifting, romantic and delightful, further enhancing the world's enduring love affair with the Big Apple.

    October 18, 2001 | Full Review…

    Rex Reed

    Observer
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (138)

Audience Reviews for Serendipity

  • Dec 23, 2015
    What a great film. Kind of cheesy at times when it's trying to be really profound, but this is still an incredibly likable film with characters you're constantly cheering on.
    Stephen S Super Reviewer
  • Dec 12, 2012
    The heartwarming romantic comedy Serendipity is a fun and enchanting tale. The story follows a couple that was separated after a fateful meeting one night in New York, but tries to reconnect years later by following their destinies. The film's cast is quite good, and includes John Cusack, Kate Beckinsale, Bridget Moynahan, and Jeremy Piven, who all deliver strong performances. However, Cusack and Beckinsale don't have very good chemistry; which is partially the script's fault; as it does more telling than showing and keeps the couple apart for most of the film. But the comedy is charming, and there's a sincerity to the story that helps to overcome the film's weaknesses. Though it has some issues, Serendipity is a delightful and whimsical film with an uplifting love story.
    Dann M Super Reviewer
  • Apr 14, 2012
    The story was quite nice but the actors were too big for the film. I don't think it's among the best love stories I've seen.
    Maymay A Super Reviewer
  • Dec 26, 2011
    I'm generally not a chick flick/romantic movie type of guy. However, I LOVE "Serendipity". This is my favorite romance movie. I love the premise, I love the performances, I love the music, I really love everything about it. It's the story of Johnathon(John Cusack) and Sara(Kate Beckinsale). They meet one night by chance and have a great time. But Sara worries that they aren't meant to be, so she comes up with a plan. She writes her name and phone number in a book, and he writes his name and phone number on a 5 dollar bill. If they ever find the other, they will call each other and know it was meant to be. Years pass and both have moved on with their lives. Johnathon is about to get married and Sara has just gotten engaged. However both want desperately to find the other, to know for sure if they were meant to be. My favorite character in the movie is Dean(Jeremy Piven), Johnathon's best friend. Piven is one of my favorite actors, and brought a lot to the role. Every time I see this movie on tv, I stop and watch it. It's just such a fantastic movie. If you've never seen it, what is wrong with you? Go get a copy and sit back, and just fall in love. If you have seen it, well look for it again and be reminded of how great of a movie this really is.
    Everett J Super Reviewer
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