Hey folks, Harry here with a review from Oklahoma, where the memories of the Oklahoma City Bombing of a few years back being echoed in the minds of everyone there looking at the World Trade Center's debacle... Well, they needed entertainment. IF I WAS RUNNING HOLLYWOOD, I would find something worthy of entertaining the audience and rushing it to screens RIGHT NOW! Disney want to do something incredibly nice... Move up the release of MONSTERS INC... Get it out there... People are hungry for a smile.... Then need it bad... REAL BAD. Unfortunately we're in that weird screwed up part of the year where nearly everything sucks, what doesn't suck is being delayed, and this weekend we're left with.... hold your breath.... GLITTER!!!!!!! YIPPEE!!!!! UGH, let's see SERENDIPITY now!

Harry,

Well the planets aligned and there was actually a movie event here in Oklahoma. Last night the students here at OU were treated to an advance screening of Serendipity. Either the projector or the projectionist was malfunctioning and the last two or three reels went in and out of focus but this didn't diminish our resolve. You see we needed this, I didn't know until it was over but the people who went to the screening were thirsty for something. I still can't put my finger on it but everyone around me was thirsty.

One thing you get used to when living in a college town and being around students all day is the level of cynicism inherent in the college experience. People my age are very jaded, we were raised on music that was skeptical, angry, and depressed and we ate it up. The shows and movies we like have this strong cynical edge. Why I say all of this is that last night was an evening totally blessed to be without an ounce of cynicism. We watched an unabashedly romantic movie, and we soaked up every ounce of it. We were begging for it. People would shriek and scream no as the two characters would almost catch each other. For a second it seemed strange, but then I broke and lost myself in the crowd. Or as someone who has recently passed said, We lost it at the movies.

There has been way too much reality lately. We have been soaked and bathed in it. This was escapism. In the highest and most beautiful way possible. This was what film and community can be, and it was perfect.

As far as the movie goes, I doubt my opinion matters much because of the emotional experience I had. But, I thought that it was a great romantic film. We all love John Cusack we know how he is going to play the romantic lead. Kate Beckinsale is undeniably cute and the chemistry she shares with Cusack is perfect. Molly Shannon is subdued and fits quiet nicely in the Bonnie Hunt style friend role. Jeremy Piven is also great, and as seen in Grosse Pointe Blank: Cusack and Piven can really deliver dialogue together well.

Most importantly though nobody tried to reinvent the wheel. This is a romantic comedy, and everyone involved knew the score. This was more a matter of perfect execution. And for that they should be commended. As for the audience last night and for filmgoers in general: How does this experience replicate? I am really interested. As I read back through what I wrote, I am almost embarrassed at how gushy I sound but I don't think I care. And I really think this is what I'm getting at. Maybe we would all be better off, certainly in the "healing process," if we would all take off this armor of cynicism and embrace our base emotions. If we wouldn't be afraid to be in a crowd of people and not be concerned if others are judging the way you react, or the way you smile. I don't know, but that is just a comfortable way to live.

You can call me: BeVAN