Serendipity + Frozen Hot Chocolate
The early aughts rom com with sickly sweet desserts and a penchant for Bush-era consumption...
Serendipity (2001) Film Flavor Rating
Film Rating: ★★★½
Food Rating: ★★★★
Serendipity (2001) is an early aughts rom com that sends thirteen-year-olds across the tri-state area to a dessert shop on the Upper East Side where they can cry about their friends having more Kendra Scott bracelets than they do.
Image above pulled from Serendipity 3’s instagram post in which they claim First Lady Jackie Kennedy Onassis wanted to serve Frozen Hot Chocolates to White House Guests and Serendipity 3 told them no because they know their worth okurr.
In 2007, I rented Serendipity from my rural hometown DVD rental house (R.I.P, Rocky’s Video of Littleton, NH) and watched it on the television set in a cropped 4:3 aspect ratio while eating Ben & Jerry’s with my siblings. In 2015, I was working at a retail shop in the Upper East Side of Manhattan when, after years of dreaming about this day, I walked in to the Serendipity 3 restaurant in search of a frozen hot chocolate. The stomach ache that followed was a strong contributing factor in my becoming a vegan in 2017, a decision that has led to my eating some of the best meals of my life and making veganized connections across the globe.
The only photographic evidence that I ever dined at Serendipity 3 is, regrettably, this vile pre-Instagram photographic collage. (Other diners omitted for privacy using a smiley emoji in an attempt to hide the cursed nature of the image.)
When I think about how my first viewing of the film has been akin to a butterfly-effect moment in the destiny of my life, I wonder who else may have been affected.
The film ultimately contains what we all want from our early 2000’s romances: pretty, sickly sweet, charismatic, and memorable. It helps that there are a few genuine comedic moments to boot! (Who knew all these years later Pete Davidson would be in Kate’s line up?! New York City, am I right?)
Kate Beckinsale and John Cusack contributing to the economy under our capitalist regime.
Released just a month after 9/11, this project is surprisingly very “rah-rah capitalism!” for known leftist John Cusack. The film requires the exchange of money for sweets and services throughout the inciting meet-cute, and the requisite purchases to reunite the film’s star-crossed leads are tenfold. In 2023, the link between fate, destiny, faith, and funds seems to have only increased.
In the film, Sara defines the word “serendipity” as “a fortunate accident” and often expresses her belief that destiny will bring these events about. Yet it is ultimately the main character’s belief that they are meant to be together that bring about the most impactful plot points.
In a review for the New York Times on the date of premiere, Elvis Mitchell noted Serendipity as “the cinematic equivalent of a plate made of spun sugar.” I agree: The film is buoyed by the actor’s performances, but it’s a treat nevertheless.