Serving Sara

Serving Sara is a 2002 American romantic comedy film directed by Reginald Hudlin and starring Matthew Perry and Elizabeth Hurley. The film centers on a process server who gets entangled in a scheme to serve divorce papers to the wrong person, leading to a cross-country adventure.

Overview

The plot follows Joe Tyler, a down-on-his-luck process server tasked with delivering divorce papers to Sara Moore, the wife of a wealthy Texas rancher. When Joe attempts to serve Sara, she manages to evade him and, understanding the financial implications of being served first in her home state, proposes an alternative plan. She offers Joe a substantial sum if he instead serves her husband, Gordon Moore, before Gordon's own process server can serve her. This arrangement leads Joe and Sara on a road trip across the United States, pursued by Gordon's aggressive process server, Tony, as well as Gordon himself, who is determined to serve Sara first. Along the way, Joe and Sara develop an unexpected romantic connection amidst the chaos and legal maneuvering.

Cast

• Matthew Perry as Joe Tyler
• Elizabeth Hurley as Sara Moore
• Bruce Campbell as Gordon Moore
• Vincent Pastore as Tony
• Cedric the Entertainer as Ray Harris
• Jerry Stiller as The Man

Production and Release

The film was produced by Mandalay Pictures and distributed by Paramount Pictures. It was released in the United States on August 23, 2002. Filming locations included various sites in Texas and other parts of the United States to depict the cross-country journey.

Reception

Upon its release, Serving Sara received largely negative reviews from critics, who often cited its predictable plot, lack of genuine humor, and the chemistry between its lead actors as shortcomings. The film also performed poorly at the box office, failing to recoup its production budget. Despite the critical and commercial disappointment, it has occasionally found a small following as a cable television staple in subsequent years.