Reel Critics

Larry Nolte

“Serendipity” stars John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale in a romantic

comedy on how fate plays a role in relationships.

They meet at Bloomingdales when they reach for the same pair of

gloves. Though they are involved with others, but they are attracted to

each other.

They go out for dessert and then separate, but maybe they are supposed

to be together?

The movie jumps to a few years later. Each is about to be married, but

have second thoughts. They think of each other. He starts to track her

down through her credit card receipt. She decides to travel back to New

York, where they met, and see if fate will lend a hand. Will fate

intercede one more time? I’m not about to spoil the suspense and say

whether they meet again or not.

While Eugene Levy does do a nice turn as a Bloomingdales salesman and

the main characters are charming and attractive, ultimately the movie

rests on whether you can buy into the screenplay. I couldn’t.

* LARRY NOLTE, 59, is a retired United Airlines employee.