A British woman (an Academy Award nominated Renée Zellweger) is determined to improve herself, as she searches for love, in a year in which she keeps a personal diary. Zellweger was already known at the time but Bridget Jones made her a superstar. She gained 20 pounds for the part.
Zellweger makes Bridget instantly likable and we can’t understand why she’s still unattached. Of course, it isn’t long before she has two men fighting over her (literally), in the shape of Colin Firth and Hugh Grant. One’s safe and likable, the other is a smarmy playboy. Both are excellent but special mention to Grant, who is brilliant.
The script is often hilarious with genuinely funny set pieces. Bridget gets caught with her granny pants on (when she’s about to have sex), knocks the cameraman out with her bottom (while sliding down a fireman’s pole), and murders a classic on karaoke in front of her fanciable boss. It’s wonderful stuff!
The film is at its best when Bridget is sulking, writing in her diary and fighting back. Later on, it descends into predictable rom-com territory, but it’s still fun, and head and shoulders above the pack. Short but sweet, like the contents of Bridget’s cupboard.
Followed by three sequels.
FG FG FG FG
OTHER CAST: Embeth Davidtz, Sally Phillips, Celia Imrie, Shirley Henderson, Jim Broadbent. DIRECTED BY: Sharon Maguire. SCREENPLAY BY: Richard Curtis, Andrew Davies, Helen Fielding, Rew Davies. BASED ON: Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding. RUNNING TIME: 97 minutes. CERTIFICATE: 15 / R. USA / UK, FR, IRE.
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