I enjoyed this more than any other ‘chick flick’ (if you can include it in that genre) As it’s far to cynical for all that, Bridget is completely naive, but also desperate to have a life, that deep down inside, she doesn’t believe she can have. All these imperfections make for a very endearing heroine. The fact that Bridget has imperfections, (unlike any role Meg Ryan has played, although I love her as an actress) makes her more human and likable basically. Also these movies, aimed at a 30 something female audience, assigns all men as lying, unfaithful twats, this is all fine, but the movie never gives the males side of the story, that is my only criticism I have of this whole film, which is a completely engaging and funny production, in which Renee Zellweger quite rightly got nominated for an Oscar.
Story
Contains Spoilers
Bridget Jones is a single (which seems to be the worst thing in the world) 30 year old, who feels that she is fat, drinks too much and is SINGLE! So she decides to keep a diary, which she hopes will restore order back to her life, she works for a publishing company, which Daniel Cleaver is the boss of. Bridget is almost infatuated with him, as he (in her eyes, can’t think for the life of me why) is supposedly drop dead gorgeous. These two starts flirting, using the median of computers, and become more and more involved with each other. It becomes apparent that Daniel’s fiancée had a affair with Mark Darcy (a man who Bridget’s mother is trying to set her up with) Anyway Bridget and Daniel have a fantastic 2 weeks, but always seems to meet up with a certain Mr. Darcy, each time these two meet, there is a connection, but Bridget has to keep reminding herself that she is happy with Daniel, and Darcy did a horrible thing to her boyfriend.
In the end, Bridget is forced to choose between the two men in her life, but which one will she chose; this is a twisting and hilarious tale with surprises, and tears galore.
Acting: Renee Zellweger: when I heard about this casting choice I was slightly dubious, Nurse Betty as the 90’s main female heroine? But I am very pleased that she pulled it off outstandingly. She gives Bridget, a very human and likeable quality. I feel that Renee deserved her Oscar nomination completely. She really does make the serial dater just even better than the book. Absolutely fantastic performance isn’t what I expected the screen Bridget to be a lot different, but I am pleased that the casters made this very wise choice!
Hugh Grant: I am no fan of this floppy haired wimp. But I must give credit, where it’s due, and here it is due, he is effortlessly brilliant as the nasty but charming Daniel Cleaver. He commands the screen and bounces of Zellweger extremely well, he seems to have good chemistry with the whole cast. Although Daniel, is really just there as the nasty, horrible unfaithful jerk. He putt’s in a well rounded performance and adds different aspects to his character. But his face still annoys the hell out of me! 1
Colin Firth: Bridget is defiantly the best developed and interesting character, and all the men are really just clichés. Mark Darcy is probably the best example of this. Colin Firth seems to always be the same person, his voice is always flat, and he is always stiff upper lip and very British. In Love Actually he is the same person, as Mark Darcy, anyway what I am trying to say is, that there is nothing remarkable in this performance. He is just as he always is, stays exactly to the script and is defiantly what I imagined when reading the book. It’s just a not very dangerous performance.
Gemma Jones: Is very funny and over the top as Bridget’s mother, who seems much the same as Bridget in the way that she feels unsatisfied with her life. A really good performance from a really good actress.
Jim Broadbent: Is thoroughly likeable as Bridget’s father, who has to deal with his wife’s infidelity. A great performance, which is engaging and 3 dimensional.
Celia Imrie: This is again a great performance, from a classic British actress, whose other work includes Calendar Girls and the very disappointing Thunder pants. There seems to be a theme, as Aunt Una also has to deal with her husbands, constant flirting with Bridget and any other person he can clamp eyes on.
James Faulkner: this is the very character I was just talking about; this is a good performance from James as Uncle Geoffrey who is constantly flirting with everyone.
The Soundtrack This movie is greatlt improved by it's soundtrack, which is a diffrent mix of disco, manic pop and feel good tunes. Geri Halliwell, comes along for the ride
The Script Helen Fielding is included in the writing credits, which show’s as her unique and excellent humor shines through. This movie is brilliantly funny. The script is very tight, making all the characters fairly likeable, although the whole movie sets up Bridget’s character. Bridget is well, explained and structured, and because of this the male players in particular are left as just side lines, which are fighting to take our heroine’s glory. The emotional scenes aren’t always dealt with brilliantly, but this beats many other movies of this genre. As it is charming and funny.
Direction The directing of this is excellent, Sharon Maguire, seems to have a connection with the character of Bridget as she lets her have the screen time and everything else that she deserves. The camera is allowed to have some excellent shots, and everything else about this big screen adaptation is timed and structured v. Well.
DVD Features Commentary: By Sharon Maguire: This is interesting and witty. It explains a lot about the progress of making the film, and shows how much she cares about the film.
Behind The Scenes Featured: This is a funny look into the world of Bridget Jones behind the camera screen.
Deleted Scenes: Some funny ones, but by and large unimportant and wouldn’t of helped the pace of the overall movie.
Availability and Price Can be bourght every where as the new one is coming out, which is causing a media frenzy The average I found was 6-10 pounds.
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Soundtrack
Outstanding
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Outstanding
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BRIDGET JONES'S DIARY
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