User Score
7.4 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 32 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 32
  2. Negative: 3 out of 32

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  1. KonradR.
    May 9, 2002
    7
    Incredibly predictable but charming none-the-less.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. Lauren
    Jun 9, 2002
    10
    I LOVED this movie!! It brought me and a special someone together...and I will treasure this movie forever!
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. RobMc.
    Aug 8, 2003
    2
    Badly written and bereft of any wit or clever ideas. Not particularly well-developed or likeable characters. Even after leaving the painful coincidences aside, very little in this movie makes sense.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  4. StaceyG.
    Sep 4, 2006
    9
    Imagine trying to bake a perfect cake with layers of chocolate and vanilla. But the cake will be nothing more than a forgettable, fattening dessert unless it is cooked at the exact set temperature. Even with old ingredients, 'Serendipity' was cooked perfectly. It comes out of the oven with the candles already on it, and they're lit, too. 'Serendipity' is a movie with so much heart and bold honesty that you just might like it. Romantic comedies are not meant to be good or memorable beyond a few sparked daydreams, but once Cusack and Beckinsale click in front of the camera they click on screen, and when snow falls and lips lock everything else falls into place. It's as if the film were a tapestry of events and characters that was meant to be viewed right when you thought a romantic comedy could never be a total success, just to prove you wrong. Beckinsale and Cusack Are Jonathan and Sarah, two people who fall in love by doing nothing more peculiar than visiting a department store. They are not the perfect people romantic comedies often portray the 'featured' couple to be. Jonathan and Sarah are just a nice pair trying to make sense of a life changing night. The characters never seem as if actors play them. They seem to be as caught up in their romance as we are. Jeremy Piven plays a better 'sidekick' to Cusack than even Vince Vaughn did to Owen Wilson in "Wedding Crashers." The script is so refreshing that when it's funny you forget it has a romantic base and when it is romantic you forget it is meant to be funny, as well. The romance is like the center of a flower while the comedy-centered moments are pretty pedals. Everything in the film seems proud and charming. When 'Serendipity' ends and you realize (and admit) it found a way to hide your logical views on love for a few hours, you will ponder just how the movie managed so much charm. Is it the directing, the writing, the acting, the soundtrack? Not really. It's in how they mix. It's how when the movie has the perfect actors it also knows when to have them say a perfect line at a perfect moment while the perfect music plays off camera. 'Serendipity' might have its flaws and it will never be more than a romantic comedy, but it's a really good one and everyone involved with the project seems to know that. It's like the charming little novel that is always eager to be taken off the shelf and read. Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  5. Eliza
    Oct 30, 2007
    10
    It is wonderful romantic story. It is my favorite love story. Advice to everyone who still trust in true Love.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  6. NickS.
    Oct 5, 2001
    9
    This is an extremely entertaining and romantic film. Cusack is at full romantic-comedy form. And Beckinsale is gorgeous! There's a great cameo by Eugene Levy as well. If you go see this film, be ready to leave your cynicism at the door!
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  7. LatassiaK.
    Aug 20, 2002
    4
    I thought i'd liked to watch, but the next scene, i'd slept on it. And when i woke up i watched it again and after a few minutes, i ejected the disc. i'd rather sleep again.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  8. sara
    Jul 26, 2005
    10
    I loved the movie. it is a clasic story of two people who fall in love at first site.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  9. CassianJ.
    Jan 3, 2008
    7
    When Jonathon randomly bumps into Sarah in a department store whilst both trying to purchase the same pair of gloves an instant bond is formed. Sarah has a great believe in fate and takes Jonathon for some food at her favourite café ‘Serendipity’ and explains to Jonathon her faith fate and how if they are meant to be together then fate will make it so. A chain of events is then set in place which leads to a highly obvious conclusion that makes for a very enjoyable ride. Not being a great fan of romantic comedies I always come to films of this genre with trepidation but found this to be the exception to the rule a high quality rom-com which is actually an geared for adults and not the normal teen stuff. This is a well directed film which is kept together tightly with little to no wasted scenes, bring the film in at a respectable 90 minute running time which I feel is just about right for romantic comedies. The leads do very good jobs of their roles and remain enchanted by each other considering how little of the running time they actually spend in each other’s company. Now it helps if like me you are a big fan of John Cusack, but he really does very well with this role bringing a real feel of reality to the role making a man who could seem shallow or even dastardly at times seem real and earthy. Kate Beckindale does the English rose thing well without being the over the top prim and proper English girl character that we quite often get presented with in American movies. They are well supported by the always magnificent Jeremy Piven (the man is such a subtle scene stealer!). I would highly recommend this movie to fans of romantic comedies and to movie fans in general. I will be watching it again with my wife. Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  10. [Anonymous]
    Oct 22, 2001
    3
    Terrible, adolescent. Some cute acting by Eugene Levy.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  11. KellyM.
    Oct 7, 2001
    10
    I loved this movie. Yea it had really stupid parts, but it made me laugh. And just the whole basis on fate and your destiny I find soooo true. I enjoyed this movie, and I hope others do to!
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  12. PatC.
    Dec 18, 2003
    7
    There's a lot of formula stock in this show, but nothing really offensive. And yes, some relationships are romances because the two involved are hardly ever together. And to some extent, if you belong together, you don't have to try - more like you just follow along. A simple pleasant presentation of a theme of hidden dimensions.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  13. Layne
    Jul 25, 2003
    7
    Scrumptious and fluffy without being too shallow and yet still managing to cover most of the largely noticeable flaws.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  14. Stacey
    Dec 17, 2002
    1
    Trite, infuriating, badly written, predictable. I love John Cusak; I hated this movie.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  15. Kristin
    Dec 22, 2002
    10
    With its intriqiuing plot with suspensful twists and turns, Serendipity delivers both sides of the argument. The characters cast are no less than perfect for their roles, giving the film energy and style. Its an unforgettable pic that leaves you with a sense of hope and wonder.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  16. Michael
    Nov 5, 2003
    8
    An enjoyable romantic comedy with very likeable characters. When the two characters are together on screen they really sparkle. It is only too bad we do not get to see more of that in the film.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  17. PaulaW.
    Nov 12, 2001
    5
    Serendipity could teach Harlequin romances a thing or two about eggshell-thin plot contrivances to keep the happy couple apart for the requisite number of pages. Kate Beckinsale looks good enough, but she is supremely annoying with her nonstop babbling about putting destiny to the test. John Cusack does his best with his thankless role as endlessly patient suitor and all-around Sensitive Guy. To his credit, he manages not to appear TOO wimpy. Both stars are outshone by their sidekicks, Jeremy Piven as the wisecracking best man and Molly Shannon as a brisk, businesslike peddler of New Age hokum. This is the kind of wish-fulfillment dreck that makes me ashamed to be a girl. Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
Metascore

Mixed or average reviews - based on 33 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 33
  2. Negative: 4 out of 33
  1. 30
    The ultimate in deja viewing:an overfamiliar and exasperating game of cat-and-mousie.
  2. 80
    The casting is sublime.
  3. 80
    Airy and enchanting, this romantic comedy works overtime to sprinkle moonlight and stardust over itself.