The film begins in December 1990, as Jonathan Trager (John Cusack), a television producer for ESPN, is about to reach for the last pair of expensive gloves at a Bloomingdale’s counter as a gift for his girlfriend. A beautiful English woman (Kate Beckinsale) wants the gloves as a present for a loved one as well, and she is a split second too late.

The two strike up a conversation that leads to a post-shopping nosh and an ice-skating session at Rockefeller Center. The mysterious woman starts peppering Jonathan with questions about his favorite movie and most memorable New York moment, to which he deftly replies: “Cool Hand Luke” and “This one’s quickly climbing the charts.” This type of light, quick banter plays to Cusack’s acting strengths.

Jonathan is smitten but has difficulty eliciting information from the unknown belle. After a great deal of hesitation, she reveals her name, Sara, and writes her phone number on a piece of paper that gets lost in an ill-timed gust of wind. When Jonathan hands her another slip of paper, however, Sara demurs.

“That is a sign that we shouldn’t get together now,” she informs a stunned Jonathan.

As an alternative, Sara writes her full name and phone number inside an old book that she will sell to an undisclosed bookstore. If Jonathan should ever find the book, then it will be a sign they are meant to be together. Jonathan writes his phone number on a $5 bill and hands it to Sara. She immediately spends the money and says that if that bill ever returns to her, she will call him.

The film then fast-forwards to several years later. Jonathan and Sara are engaged to other people and making formal wedding plans but, nonetheless, neither has forgotten the special night. Jonathan and Sara both need closure, so, independently, they make a last ditch effort to test fate and fight the long odds of finding each other.

And of course, one already knows how “Serendipity” is going to wind up, but that is not problematic since the acting is superb and the dialog is crisp. John Cusack provides the necessary everyman qualities, while Kate Beckinsale is delightful as the flighty but sweet Sara. Also helping out in supporting roles are Jeremy Piven and veteran “Saturday Night Live” cast member Molly Shannon, both of whom are terrific as Jonathan and Sara’s wisecracking best friends.

Director Peter Chelson makes great use of Manhattan as a locale for romance, as he has the couple socializing at the Waldorf-Astoria, Rockefeller Center, Central Park, Bloomingdale’s, and, of course, the famous Upper East Side sweet shop, Serendipity. For obvious reasons, this film could not have come at a better time.

“Serendipity” owes a huge debt to such fine films as “When Harry Met Sally,” “Sleepless In Seattle,” and “You’ve Got Mail.” But unlike those modern classics that relied upon oldies for their soundtracks, “Serendipity” utilizes contributions from such contemporary hit-makers as Evan and Jaron, David Gray, and Nick Drake.

Without question, this is the best date movie of 2001.