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DVD REVIEW
Serendipity Starring:
John Cusack, Kate Beckinsale, Jeremy Piven
Director: Peter Chelsom
Rating: PG-13
Review
Posted: 4.26.02
Reviewed by
John Teves
John
Cusack and Kate Beckinsale star in SERENDIPITY, a romantic
comedy about destiny's hold on two people who seek nothing but
each other in a not so successful attempt to re-create a spin
off of Sleepless in Seattle.
While
it never reinvents the romantic-comedy wheel of Sleepless in
Seattle, Serendipity generally offers a reasonably good movie
experience largely thanks to the excellent cast.
It
all begins during the busy Christmas shopping season, Jon and
Sara meet at a department store.
"555-6969...
is this your home or work number?"
This
is where the women get turned off, Jon agrees to give up the
gloves to the lovely Sara, on a side note Jon was purchasing
these gloves for his GIRLFRIEND, if Sara agrees to except, then
Jon gets a cup of coffee with her. So of course she's going to
except and the story begins. Now Sara and Jon hit it off, Sara
starts with the fate crap and resists Jon's attempts to wheedle
additional information about her.
Now
if Jon was a smart man, he would get the hint and start looking
for another gift for his GIRLFRIEND. But it doesn't end there,
Sara conjures up a great comprise for Jon, so we think.
She
has Jon write his name and number on a five-dollar bill, which
she then uses to buy some breath mints. Sara writes her own info
inside a book that she will then sell to a used bookstore the
next day.
If
one of them eventually finds the other's number, then it was
meant to be. Oh God, please kill me now, why am I still watching
this crap?
Several
years later...Sara lives in San Francisco, where she is now
engaged to a New Age musician Lars (John Corbett). Back in New
York, Jon has his own wedding to plan with Halley (Bridget
Moynahan).
"Tell
Michael Bay I don't do sequels!"
However,
both Sara and Jon remain obsessed with their one special evening
together, and Jon decides he has to make one last search for Sarah
before the wedding. Coincidentally, Sarah does the same.
Serendipity
appears in an aspect ratio of 1.85:1 on this single-sided disc,
double-layered DVD; the image has been enhanced for 16X9
televisions.
The
picture looked very good. Sharpness appeared solid. A few
interiors seemed slightly murky, but those were rare. Overall,
the movie was crisp and well defined.
Jagged
edges were of no concern, and I didn't see signs of edge
enhancement. Some light grain showed up at times, but otherwise,
the
image was clean and fresh.
Colors
were natural. The movie was bright and clear, with no bleeding,
noise or other concerns. Black levels also seemed deep and
dense, while shadow detail generally looked clear and
appropriately opaque. Overall, Serendipity maintained a
attractive presentation.
John Cusack waits to hear from Ione Skye.
The
Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack of Serendipity didn't show much of
exceptional DD 5.1 sound, but keep in mind this is not a "shoot
'em
up" kind of film, so there's no need for much movement.
Still the film worked well for the city scenes, some cars drove
from side to side and the general impression offered a realistic
experience within the front speakers. Rear
speaker usage largely stayed with moderate reinforcement of the
music and effects, the sound-field featured a definite emphasis
on the forward channels.
Audio
Commentary With Director Peter Chelsom, Behind-the-Scenes Starz
Encore "On the Set", Deleted Scenes With Optional
Director's Commentary, Still Gallery, Storyboard Comparisons,
Theatrical Trailer , and Peter Chelsom's Production Diary.
Not
that I regard this as a negative film, because predictable
movies can still be good, and Serendipity offers a fairly
entertaining experience assisted by Jon and Sarah's friends,
Jon's buddy Dean (Jeremy Piven) and Sara's cohort Eve (Molly
Shannon).
"John, I didn't come here to talk about Ione Skye okay!"
If
I had to pick the main negative, it would stem from the first
meeting of the two and the fact that both of them were in separate
relationships at the time; it really turned me off and I know most women would
agree. I think the film would have been better if one of the two
were not in a relationship
at
the time of meeting.
John
Cusack is likable and charming, so to have him be the one who
really doesn't have time for fate or soul searching, would have
been a better idea.
I'm
a sucker for John Cusack so I have considered keeping this film
but only because I know many people still would like to view it
- so this film will definitely be one of those, don't bother to
rent it I have it and I'll let you borrow it type of films.
Is
it a date movie? Be careful with this one, rent with caution
when considering this film, this could possibly stir up some
questions within ones relationship, especially if your
significant other doesn’t trust you very much. Remember this
is the film about soul searching and fate, even if that means
the one you love is 5,000 miles away and your getting married in
three days.
Two seconds before Ione Skye's
call to John's cell.
Although
this movie may insult the intelligence of some - I mean come on,
we've seen enough of these flicks to know how it ends - keep in
mind it's only a movie.
As
I stated before, Serendipity does nothing to reinvent the
romantic comedy, but it offers a reasonably charming and
entertaining piece nonetheless. The DVD features are very good
and the picture and sound quality are fantastic.
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