Bridget Joness Diary

The novel by the English novelist, Helen Fielding was the rage with women readers for a while, so it was a natural to become a film romantic comedy. Fielding also wrote the screenplay and later a sequel to it called Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason that is scheduled for release in 2004.

I believe this story struck a reader resonance because it deals with three legal addictions: eating, smoking and alcohol. Bridget is also very interested in men, but I hesitate to call that an addiction. The plot really revolves around three characters: Bridget Jones (the girl), Daniel Cleaver (the handsome womanizing jerk) and Mark Darcy (the handsome repressed nice attorney). Cleaver is an interesting name for someone who chops up women metaphorically speaking. And the name Darcy cant help but remind us of Jane Austens Mr. Darcy from Pride & Prejudice, a role performed by Colin Firth in the TV mini-series.

This is a good romantic comedy in part because of the situation, two men interested in one girl and in part because of the protagonists humorous struggles with her addictions. But what really makes this a success is good acting by the main characters as well as the support cast. In addition, the storyline is mostly believable. The boss hitting on an attractive advertising admin woman for a night in the sack is not unusual. Although a conventional attorney with a prestigious career wanting to marry a bubblehead young woman is less likely. Regardless, there are plenty of good laughs in this lighthearted fantasy.

Rene Zellweger plays Bridget. She gained 20 pounds to do the part. Zellweger has had approximately two major film roles a year for the last ten years. Her recent work has all been in lead roles: White Oleander & Chicago (2002), Down with Love & Cold Mountain (2003). I continue to be impressed with her range. Her comic timing is good, but I am curious to see if it gets better in the Bridget Jones sequel next year.

Hugh Grant plays Daniel Cleaver. He does pretty well in this film as an arrogant, cocky SOB, but his nice guy leaks through a little. Regardless, he was a good choice for the part. I last saw Grant in About a Boy (2001)(reviewed 1/18/2003).

Colin Firth plays Mark Darcy. He is great as the long-suffering attorney who looks long and plaintively at Bridget, a role very similar to the long-suffering Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice. I was disappointed in his recent performance in The Importance of Being Earnest (2002)(Reviewed 12/24/2002). I also saw him in Shakespeare in Love (1998) and The English Patient (1996).

Both Firth and Grant appear in the new film Love Actually (2003). They will also both appear with Zellweger in the Bridget Jones sequel next year.

Gemma Jones is terrific in a supporting role as Bridgets Mum. She has recently appeared in Shanghai Knights (2003) and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002).

Jim Broadbent, another great English actor, plays Bridgets Dad. He has recently appeared in Nicholas Nickleby (2002)(reviewed 7/30/2003) and Gangs of New York (2002)(reviewed 7/16/2003).

Reviewed December 19, 2003