Roger Ebert is America's most powerful and most respected film critic. In fact, he is the only critic to win a Pulitzer Prize for film criticism. He has an encyclopedic grasp of film history and his writing is witty and full of insights. But sometimes he's wrong. For example, he thought Rocky IV was a great movie and that The Mission was completely undeserving of the critical acclaim it received. His response to Serendipity is the latest case in point.
I am usually somewhat sympathetic to the charge of implausibility and a few too many coincidences in a film. This is Ebert's primary criticism. Serendipity, by its very title, takes fate and coincidence as its central theme. It is clear from the beginning that it takes this theme very lightly and with tongue firmly implanted in cheek. Implausibility is therefore a given.
John Cusack plays Jon Trager, a New Yorker who meets Sara Thomas (Kate Beckinsale) while fighting over the same pair of gloves at Bloomingdales. They are immediately attracted to each other, but they are both involved with others at the time. The chemistry between them is clear from the beginning but Sara comes from the Doris Day school of destiny (as in "que sera, sera-what will be, will be"). Sara has Jon write his number on a $5 dollar bill that she spends. If it comes back to her someday, she will know. She says that she will write her name and number in a book that she will sell to a used book dealer. If he finds it, he will know. Initially, this seems like an extremely creative kiss-off, but we are sure they are meant to be together.
As in all romantic comedies, the suspenseful question is never will they get together. The question is always how. The suspense is built quite nicely and Cusack and Beckinsale have excellent help from interesting supporting characters. In many ways, this film reminds me of what we might get if we crossed Notting Hill with Sleepless in Seattle.
Serendipity is directed by British director Peter Chelsom, but in plot and style it reminds me of the work of Nora Ephron (Sleepless in Seattle, When Harry Met Sally, You've Got Mail). This is the first screenplay for Marc Klein whose previous credits are mostly as assistant to the director for the film While You Were Sleeping.
If you're looking for deep discussions, rent Memento on video or DVD. If you are interested in something fun, witty, and charming, Serendipity is worth a look. Roger Ebert is still my role model, but sometimes he just gets it wrong.
I am usually somewhat sympathetic to the charge of implausibility and a few too many coincidences in a film. This is Ebert's primary criticism. Serendipity, by its very title, takes fate and coincidence as its central theme. It is clear from the beginning that it takes this theme very lightly and with tongue firmly implanted in cheek. Implausibility is therefore a given.
John Cusack plays Jon Trager, a New Yorker who meets Sara Thomas (Kate Beckinsale) while fighting over the same pair of gloves at Bloomingdales. They are immediately attracted to each other, but they are both involved with others at the time. The chemistry between them is clear from the beginning but Sara comes from the Doris Day school of destiny (as in "que sera, sera-what will be, will be"). Sara has Jon write his number on a $5 dollar bill that she spends. If it comes back to her someday, she will know. She says that she will write her name and number in a book that she will sell to a used book dealer. If he finds it, he will know. Initially, this seems like an extremely creative kiss-off, but we are sure they are meant to be together.
As in all romantic comedies, the suspenseful question is never will they get together. The question is always how. The suspense is built quite nicely and Cusack and Beckinsale have excellent help from interesting supporting characters. In many ways, this film reminds me of what we might get if we crossed Notting Hill with Sleepless in Seattle.
Serendipity is directed by British director Peter Chelsom, but in plot and style it reminds me of the work of Nora Ephron (Sleepless in Seattle, When Harry Met Sally, You've Got Mail). This is the first screenplay for Marc Klein whose previous credits are mostly as assistant to the director for the film While You Were Sleeping.
If you're looking for deep discussions, rent Memento on video or DVD. If you are interested in something fun, witty, and charming, Serendipity is worth a look. Roger Ebert is still my role model, but sometimes he just gets it wrong.