ironhorse_iv
Normally, I don't watch, too many of these so-called, 'Chick-Flick' romantic movies, because how predictable and bad, they all were, but this movie directed by Peter Chelsom is worth watching and keeping close to your heart. I found 'Serendipity' to be very entertaining. The film tells the story of two strangers, Jonathan Trager (John Cusack) and Sara Thomas (Kate Beckinsale), who meet in Bloomingdale's after grabbing the same pair of gloves as a Christmas gift for their respective partners. Both, become very smitten with each other, but before they could exchange numbers and names, they were separate by fate. Leaving them, with nothing, but a few clues, on how to find, the other. Both search for each other for years, until one day, they found a new clue that might lead to reaching each other. Without spoiling, the movie, too much, I have to say, Kate Beckinsale and John Cusack really do seem like they have the chemistry for each other to make this movie, works, even if they only share a small amount of screen-time, together. However, I still see, their separation, as their own damn faults. Who tempts fate like that!? While, it's true, that the idea of these two, falling madly with each other, over a few hours, one night, might seem a bit, far-fetched & the contrived coincidence that follows, a bit impractical, but who says, watching a movie for escapism is bad news. Much of this movie's charm and humor, comes from the fact, that both of these characters, barely miss connecting with each other. I just wonder, what would happen to them, after they spent a lot of time, with each other. Would they really connect with each other, or will they grow bore & indifferent to each other? Who Knows! The movie doesn't explore that. It would be nice for some realistic, but this romantic comedy movie isn't that type of a drama-full film. Instead, the movie focus on lovesickness being like an illness, that people can't get over. I get what this movie is going for, but maybe, it's wasn't the best thing, to use the book, 'Love in the Time of Cholera', as a way to show that. Don't get me wrong, author Gabriel García Márquez is a fine book, but comparing love to a strong case of deadly life-killing disease isn't the best metaphor. Another thing, according to this movie, it is perfectly fine to go searching for the love of your life whilst neglecting the woman you are about to marry. Talk about an extreme case of cold feet. While, the respective fiancés, Halley Buchanan (Bridget Moynahan) & Lars Hammond (John Corbett) are neither interesting enough to merit their screen time, I do feel somewhat awful enough & uncomfortable about seeing them, get dumped for somebody, the two leads, only met once, long time ago. Also, there is something a bit sinister in this film, when a guy is able to stalk a women, based on what she buys. Isn't that, kinda illegal and somewhat creepy? It sorta makes Bloomingdale, look bad, when an employee is willing to give information, about a customer like that. It doesn't help that, this film was made, during 9/11 attacks in New York. Just think, how much the Patriot Act is allowed people to get away with now. While, I didn't like that, I didn't have too much of a problem with, is the clichés one-dimensional supporting character that has nothing else to do, besides helping these characters get together. Surprising, both Jeremy Piven & Molly Shannon as Jonathan Trager's friend, Dean Kansky & Sara's friend, Eve weren't that bad. It's just odd, that they would be, 'gun-ho' for travelling all over the world, just to see Sara and Jonathan to hook up. Another problem with this film, is how unreliable, all of their problems is, for the common viewer. All of the lead characters are white, mostly happy, and in the middle or upper class. In many ways, this conflict is very first world with all the yuppies product placements. Despite that, this movie is well shot in New York City and San Francisco. The locations used here, really gives the film, an identity. The very end, in an empty skating rink, with softly falling snow was just beautiful. Another cool thing, about this film is the soundtrack. Lots of guilty pleasure songs, worth checking out. Overall: While, this movie will never have the fans, that 1993's 'Sleepless in Seattle' or 1989's 'When Harry Met Sally' had. It's still a movie, worth seeing, at least once.
