This film is part of Alan Smithee's voluminous Christmas movie collection; any film in which one or more scenes take place during the Christmas season can gain admission into the collection, provided the film also fills one with Christmas spirit, and provided one can follow the story after a large glass of wine.
Serendipity stars the always likeable John Cusack, as well as Kate Beckinsale, just six years after her magnificence in Cold Comfort Farm (1995). After a ludicrous set-up, the film settles into a long and satisfying middle section, which entertains in large part because of supporting players Jeremy Piven, Molly Shannon, and the delicious but large-headed John Corbett. Shannon and Piven, as the best friends of the two main characters, nearly steal the film, which turns conventional in the final act. I usually plan my alcohol inhalation so that I am unconscious by the final scenes, which play out much as one would suspect.
Those who live in New York City can visit Serendipity the restaurant, from which the film takes its name, and witness the line of tourists waiting outside in the cold for a table. Why? Because it was in a movie. It truly is the darkest age of Man.
12 comments:
I watch this piece of...lovely film every time I run across it on cable --I also watch Cold Comfort farm and something else with Kate Beckinsale (Laurel Canyon--also with the lady who was in Wonder Boys--she's good too. )
anyway Serendipity I liked because I knew the restaurant (before all the health code violations--is it still open???)
I liked the guy at Saks-- a second city guy I think.
and how Cusak tries to track Beckinsale down.
I meant Bloomingdales. And that Serendipity restaurant was famous for Frozen Hot chocolate. which was like $6 or something back in the days of yore.
I like the snowflakes part.
What are your true feelings regarding Jeremy Piven?
just curious.
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Spoiler Alert
Even after my 17th or so viewing of this movie, I get nervous they won't meet while simultaneously feeling sad for big-headed Corbett and little-headed Moynihan.
You mean I should open a restaurant up and then have it be in a movie to guarantee success? Good idea...
when i used to do location scouting, restaurant owners were almost always freaking out with happiness that their place might in in some stupid Maxwell House or Douche advertisement. (you know where the girls at lunch discuss a certain kind of 'freshness' over their BLT sandwiches.)
actually I came here to see a new movie review, not to talk about BLTs.
what does Alan Smithee think of Charles Grodin? I think he's the old Jeremy Piven.
have u seen kate beckinsale in tht movee w/ luke wilson... vacancy />?
Charles Grodin in Midnight Run (1988) = delicious.
I must confess... 6 years ago, when I wasn't quite me, I loved Serendipity. I even looked up the meaning. This movie (along with F.R.I.E.N.D.S and others) helped me formulate a mental picture of New York.
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