Serving Sara (2002) is a vulgar road comedy packed with casual misogyny and jokes that never quite stick the landing. Rightfully so, Serving Sara was panned by critics when it came out and has since been relegated to filling air time on TBS and similar networks during the middle of the day. The problems with Serving Sara reside in the screenplay that looks to combine Midnight Run (1988) with The Sure Thing (1985) without ever bothering to come up with new ideas.
Despite these shortcomings there is still a lot of talent on display in Serving Sara. Director Reginald Hudlin had previously directed the underrated Eddie Murphy comedy Boomerang (1992) as well as the popular House Party (1990). Hudlin’s comedic style is to shoot for quick cuts that keep the quips flying and the sight gags rolling. Hudlin had cut his teeth directing commercials and that kinetic style has always stuck with his film work. There’s some great comedic timing in Serving Sara that is done a disservice by the lackluster dialogue.
The cast is equally impressive with soon to be super star Amy Adams in a supporting role along with established comedy veterans Jerry Stiller and Cedric the Entertainer. But it is Bruce Campbell’s supporting role as the philandering husband who steals the show as a cartoonish Texan. At the heart of this stacked cast is the ever charismatic Elizabeth Hurley and the late Matthew Perry.
Serving Sara may seem an odd choice of film to commemorate Matthew Perry’s passing given its bad reputation. But given the circumstances surrounding the production it seems fitting. At the time that Perry was filming Serving Sara he was still appearing on Friends and at the height of his drug problem. Famously, production of Serving Sara had to be halted in order for Perry to go to rehab.
Yet, for all of the demons in his personal life, Perry is still a pleasure to watch in Serving Sara. He’s a natural comedian with a leading man’s charm and ease in front of the camera. Perry’s life became a lesson in second chances, redemption, and perseverance. Serving Sara finds Perry rising above his addictions to deliver a performance that elevates a mediocre movie. He was a man committed to his craft, his art, and his word. Serving Sara is, if nothing else, a testament to Matthew Perry’s immense talents and his personal strength.
