No matter how stupid the plot, a movie love story usually works when there’s chemistry between its two stars. In Serendipity, which means "fortunate accident," John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale seem meant for each other --- even though the characters they play are kept apart by a series of incredible missed connections. It’s a story only the most gullible of moviegoers will accept. But that doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy it.

Cusack (America’s Sweethearts) and Beckinsale (Pearl Harbor) ignite the screen in their opening scenes together. Their flirtatious eye contact generates enough leftover glow to last while they are separated from one another during the major part of the movie. I wanted desperately to see them reunited, living happily ever after. Yes, Serendipity is one of those "soul mate" movies like Sleepless in Seattle and An Affair to Remember. And I might as well admit it. I’m an incurable romantic who needs this kind of film fix every once in a while.

I don’t even mind the predictable "meeting cute" scenes --- the ones where two strangers accidentally bump into one another. But there is a slight variation here. While Christmas shopping, Cusack and Beckingsale both want to buy the same pair of black gloves on a counter at Bloomingdales. Director Peter Chelsom (Hear My Song) appreciates the importance of first encounters like this. "I think if two people ever get together or don’t end up together, all you need to do is back-track both of those individual stories. And in doing so, it makes the initial meeting incredibly fortuitous or serendipitous or something."

Which reminds me of the first time I met my husband-to-be. We were sitting across the aisle from each other in a high school World History class, and he made me laugh by letting me peek at a silly essay he wrote at his desk. I wonder how much fate or destiny was involved in that simple interaction. What if we hadn’t been assigned to the same class? What if he didn’t show me his paper? What if his essay wasn’t funny?

One thing I do know for certain. I would never have dropped that class without telling the irresistible boy I just met my full name. And yet, after spending an enchanting few hours with Cusack, Beckinsale does something as unbelievable by initiating a foolish "who am I?" game. Ten years later, these two are still trying to find each other. But time is running out, and both plan to marry someone else.

If I were searching for a lost soul mate, I’d want loyal friends like Jeremy Piven (The Family Man) and Molly Shannon (Superstar) helping me too. Piven plays Cusack’s best man with a frenetic energy that practically jumps off the screen, and Shannon gives a surprisingly subdued performance as Beckinsale’s tag-along pal.

One of Cusack’s obstacles comes in the form of a cranky salesman, played hilariously by Eugene Levy (American Pie), who extorts a buying spree from his victim before divulging any information about Beckinsale’s account.

Much to my delight, Serendipity emerges as a cinematic ode to the New York City of pre-terrorist days. I might be wrong, but I think the World Trade Center Towers appear briefly in a couple of shots. I’m discouraged when I hear about "digital removing" of those grand landmarks from movies released after September 11th. This beautifully filmed romantic comedy features glorious shots all around New York City --- from the regal Waldorf Astoria Hotel to an icy Wollman Rink in Central Park. Maybe it’s too soon to view the Big Apple again as a perfect city for lovers, but Serendipity evoked that fairytale image for me.

(Released by Miramax and rated "PG-13" for a scene of sexuality, and brief language.)