SERENDIPITY

US, 2001, 85 minutes, Colour.
Kate Beckinsale, John Cusack, Jeremy Piven, Molly Shannon, John Corbett, Bridget Moynihan, Eugene Levy.
Directed by Peter Chelsom.

Serendipity is a light romantic comedy with the fairytale touch. It takes its tone from the title, happy fate and coincidence with a happy outcome. It has a brief running time, has attractive central stars plus a funny cameo by Eugene Levy. An American and an Englishwoman both want the same pair of gloves for Christmas at Bloomingdales. It is the last pair. They divided the pair but spend some time together at the Serendipity Cafe, walking New York streets and iceskating. They part but he writes his name on a five dollar bill and she on the inside cover of the book – and they give them away.

Years pass, each has a fiance, marriages impending, but they are still thinking of each other – and set out to find each other before the weddings. There are many coincidences which makes the film pleasantly surprising and attractive. With John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale has the stars, it has a charm of its own.

The film was directed by Englishman, Peter Chelsom, Funny Bones and Town and Country.

1. The title? Its meaning? Happy fate? Destiny? Coincidence, synchronicity? Its explanations in the screenplay? The cafe with that name?

2. The New York settings, the streets, apartments, cafes, Bloomingdales? The comparison with San Francisco? Musical score and songs ?

3. The initial meeting between Sarah and Johnathan, in Bloomingdales, the dispute over the gloves, the other customer wanting to take them, their taking one each? A keepsake for the future? The Serendipity Cafe, ice skating, Jonathan leaving his scarf, Sarah finding it? His writing his name and number on the five dollar bill? Her writing information on the inside of the book, Love in the Time of Cholera?

4. Time passing, Sarah and her work as a therapist, the discussion with the young man about companions available to him? Her life, relationship with Lars, his music, his friends, the tours, his attention to her but preoccupations? Engagement, but dissatisfaction? Her friendship with Eve and asking her advice? The build-up of the engagement, wanting a free weekend? Her preoccupation with Jonathan, still wanting to find him? Paying the trip to New York for Eve, Eve’s reaction in finding out Sarah’s motives? In New York, not having a place to stay, the taxi drivers, going to the Waldorf Astoria? About to return, in the plane, finding the five dollar note, hurrying? Looking for Jonathan’s address? The locals and giving her the information about the wedding, her hurrying, finding that the wedding was over – in both senses? Discussions with the neighbours, the attendant at the wedding? Going to the skating rink, Jonathan finding her?

5. Jonathan, his work, documentary ambitions, at the golf club, editing the footage? His friendship with Dean, the effect of his meeting Sarah, looking for the book over many years, engaged to have Halley, the parties, the parents, the preparation for the wedding? His having cold feet? The impulsive trip to San Francisco? Discussions with Dean? Going to the wedding rehearsal, not paying attention, Halley and her concern, her gift of the book and reasons? Sarah’s name? Going to Bloomingdales, the encounter with the shop attendant, having to pay all the money for the bride, buy the clothes, go to the depot to find the number, persuading the young attendant to examine the credit card address? Going to the apartment, the French artist and his explanations, his picture? Going to the Serendipity site? Discussions with Dean and calling off the wedding? Wondering? Waiting? Going to the skating rink?

6. Dean, friend, his humorous speeches, writing the obituaries, his relationship with his wife, listening to Jonathan over the years, aware of his search for Sarah? His broken marriage? Assisting Jonathan in all the details of the search, Bloomingdales, the documents, the apartment, the site? Admitting the failure of his marriage? His writing Jonathan’s obituary and Jonathan reading it while walking through the park? The effect of the friendship on Dean, his decision to woo his wife again, buying the flowers?

7. Eve, Sarah’s friend, wary, the hotel, meeting Halley, the past friendship, serendipity and coincidence? Going to the wedding rehearsal? Her return home?

8. Halley, in love with Jonathan, but his failure in responding?

9. Lars, the music, love for Sarah, following her to New York, his preoccupation with his music?

10. The comic turn by Eugene Levy, Bloomingdales, the counter, his severity, the bribe, selling all the clothes, assisting with the search for the credit card
number? Sarah’s visit and his making sure she was behind the line?

11. A pleasant romantic comedy – with a touch of the contemporary fairytale?