Serendipity

By TIM WATKIN

(Herald rating: * * * )

This romantic comedy is the kind of film that begs two reviews. The first version reads that the plot is a series of coincidences that even a fairytale prince would find laughable. That the characters are naive and that love never works like that. That the hand of fate is so ham-fisted and predictable the screenwriter might as well be in the scenes moving them around. And that the series of serendipities include a bundle of hackneyed set-ups (if that ice rink in Central Park is used as the focal point of one more love story, I'm going to scream).

That version of events would be justified. The film is all those things. Unless, of course, you're willing to believe.

If you're happy to see love as the opposite of common sense, as the only hope against dour reality and as the force that guides you through foolishness to your one true love, you could be caught up and swept away. The second version would simply read: Ah love ... anything's possible.

Jon (Cusack) and Sara (Beckinsale) meet by chance over a pair of black cashmere gloves. They spend an evening together - the most magical of their lives - but for all Jon's pleading, Sara won't give him her number after a passing truck blows the scrap of paper from her hand on the first attempt. It's fate, she says.

Instead, he writes his number on a $5 note and she buys something with it. She promises to write her name in the front of a book and sell it to a second-hand bookstore the next day. If they find each other again, it will be serendipity.

In case you miss the allusion, the book - Love in the time of Cholera - is a story about staying true to an unfulfilled love vow forever.

A few years later, both are engaged but still half-looking for each other and wondering "what if"?

Like Sleepless in Seattle it's a love story where the leads are apart for most of the movie. And like Sleepless, the leads are charming and lovable.

The point, if you dare look for one in romantic comedy, seems to be that they get together not just because of fate, nor because of mere serendipity (which means accidental good fortune). They get together because of their will and passion. (Or if you're reading the first version, because the screenwriters needed a happy ending).

And if you're willing to believe, to take that flight of fancy, you'll love it. If not, it's off to Lantana for you.

Cast: John Cusack, Kate Beckinsale

Director: Peter Chelsom

Rating: PG (sexual references)

Running time: 91 mins

Screening: Village Hoyts, Berkeley cinemas