Bridget Jones's Diary DVD > Reviews > sex tarts and vicars

Author's product rating:   

Did you enjoy it?	Loved it
Story	Outstanding
Characters / Performances	Outstanding
Special Effects	Unmemorable
How does it compare to similar films?	Outstanding

Advantages:	brilliant, funny, perfect cast
Disadvantages:	none, well differs a little form the book

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

With all the hype that surrounded this film I am surprised it took me this long to get round to watching the movie. I was supposed to see it way back in March with a friend but we never made it to the cinema, and all attempts to watch Bridget Jones’s Diary just didn’t happen. Therefore when it came to going to see hits or going to work I opted for the cinema. I wanted to see the film, but am not a ‘chick flick’ kind of girl and this put me off a little bit.

The Cast…
Renee Zellweager – Bridget Jones is a woman in her 30’s who is a little insecure, ok a lot insecure, and has a problem with keeping new years resolutions. Looking for the perfect man, someone forgot to tell her he doesn’t exist.

Colin Firth – Mark Darcy, how ironic, for those of us who saw the TV adaptation of ‘pride and prejudice’ Colin once again takes up the role of Darcy. A man who is a little too nice for his own good, a top lawyer.

Hugh Grant – Daniel Cleaver, he is Bridget’s boss, who she has an obsession with. A self-obsessed womaniser with a reputation, don’t they all!

Well that’s the main cast, there is a brilliant supporting cast such as Gemma Jones as Bridget’s mum and Jim Broadbent as her long suffering dad.

The Story…
We’ve all been there, now I am initially talking to the women, but I’m sure there are many men who understand what it is like for Bridget in the big wide world.

Bridget is a single, 32 year old career girl who lives in London. She smokes and drinks way too much and has a complex about her weight. A girl after my own heart really. She makes a few new years resolutions;

- Smoke less
- Drink less
- Find a nice man
- Stop obsessing over her boss

Needless to say like all new years resolutions she finds them a little difficult to stick to. She decides that since old age (33) is looming she will keep a diary of her year and so it all begins. She goes form having no man to being stuck between two damn good looking ones.

The first his her boss, a nasty bloke who takes an interest when Bridget’s hem line gets higher and she wears revealing and see through tops. He has a commitment phobia and I took it was only after sex, reminded me of many a man I have known really.

Then there’s the smoulderingly good-looking Darcy, not as exciting as Mr. Cleaver and a little too ‘ordinary’; it’s a case of not seeing the trees for the woods. We follow her love life, her sexual antics and tongue tied public speeches.

Whilst Bridget is seeking perfection other aspects of her life are falling apart, her parent marriage is going through a bad patch and there are her three fantastic friends.

The opening scene kind of sums up the whole film, with Bridget alone and singing to ‘sad fm’ as she puts it, alcohol is her best friend, who she always turns to.

I am not going to give away any more of the story, because there will be some people out there who have had the whole Bridget hype pass them by. I would just like to say that this film made me laugh, brought tears to my eyes and made me think about my own love life.

There is some strong language and a few semi-sex scenes; well it’s only a 15 so we couldn’t expect full blow boobs and ass!

The film does differ a little from the book, but not significantly and not so that we would notice too much. The diary is the main thing with many of the comical quips from the book remaining. Overall very true to the book.

The Acting…
I was a little sceptical as the lead role is British and Renee is obviously American. I was taken by her acting in ‘Jerry Maguire’ and she was as flawless and perfect in this role. Her accent was a little scatty in places, but overall a perfect Bridget. She was fantastic as the neurotic thirty something and I could not imagine anyone else fitting the role as well as she did. I would also like to say that she look so much nicer with a bit of meat on her! I don’t know why but she just looks fabulous in this film, a strike for all the bigger women out there!

The rest of the cast are also brilliantly picked for the roles, not one of them are out of place and each brings something to the film that makes it brilliant. Their performances are some of the best I have seen in a film this year and their relationships on screen are brilliance. The leading men are not too good-looking, Renee is a ‘normal’ weight and other characters are not over the top. Perfectly cast film, with outstanding acting.

The Soundtrack…
Well they say the soundtrack can make or break the film and the music that went with this movie was fantastic. Some excellent songs well placed and added to the atmosphere of the film. Renee’s kareoke attempt is hilarious! The soundtrack consists of…

Gabrielle – Out of Reach
Aretha Franklin – Respect
Geri Halliwell – It’s Raining Men
Chaka Khan – Don’t Get me Wrong
Alisha’s Attic – All by Myself

That’s just a selection of the fantastic songs that accompany this film, I am actually going to go out and buy the soundtrack as it is full of some of those wonderful songs we need to listen to when we get down, or dumped!

A film which I thoroughly enjoyed and find it difficult to pick fault with. I don’t think I have laughed so much in ages and even the bloke I went with enjoyed it. Not one just for the women you know! I would advise this to anyone who wants something easy to watch, full of laughs and with a normal sized leading lady. Well done Renee and well done Sharon Maguire, well directed piece, well deserving of a few Oscar’s. Now where did I put my diary?

A must see for everyone, if only it’s to mot be left out!