Serving Sara

New York is the stage where Sara learns that her life is about to change in the loudest possible way. A courier delivers divorce papers, leaving her momentarily stunned. She built her fortune by outsmarting people, and she won’t let it slip away now. To protect what she has, she makes a bold deal with Joe, the process server, turning a routine summons into a gambit. What starts as a legal encounter evolves into a cross country misadventure as they chase signatures, schemes, and chances to outmaneuver one another. The road tests their wits and nerves without tipping into resignation. Along the way they clash over money and signals, revealing true motives.

Directed by Reginald Hudlin and written by Jay Scherick and David Ronn, Serving Sara released by Universal in 2002 as a breezy road comedy. The film pairs Matthew Perry with Elizabeth Hurley, blending glossy New York style with Texas swagger and a fast talking, MTV friendly pace. It also features supporting turns from Vincent Pastore, Cedric the Entertainer, and Bruce Campbell, aiming for light satire about wealth and power.

With a budget of 29 million, it grossed about 16,930,185 worldwide, a modest return that underscored its underperformance for the cost. Released by Universal, it failed to become a breakout hit and did not generate sustained box office momentum.

Critical response was mixed to negative, with reviews calling the tone uneven and the premise thin. The movie uses a mismatched pair on a cross country chase to examine wealth, power, and romance, while letting Perry's sharp banter and Hurley's flair keep the mood light for the most part overall.

Serving Sara isn't considered a landmark, but it captures a moment when celebrity led rom coms leaned on fast dialogue and location hopping. Perry and Hurley deliver the kind of chemistry that kept fans mildly entertained, and the movie stands as a footnote in early 2000s road trip comedies overall.