I remember reading the book of 'Bridget Jones's Diary many years ago, but not enjoying it enough to want to go and see the film when it came out in 2001 - which is why the first time I watched the DVD was last night. To my pleasant surprise, it was a very enjoyable and funny film.
The film follows the year in the life of Bridget Jones (Renee Zellweger), a thirty something spinster whose prospects of finding a man in her life appear quite slight! The film starts at a New Year's Day party which her parents take her to, where they are determined to match her up with the hosts' son, Mark Darcy (Colin Firth). Unfortunately, it is not love at first sight especially as he is wearing a hand knitted jumper with Rudolph on it, and she is wearing an outfit which is more suited to her mother!
Back at work, Bridget has a crush on her boss, the handsome Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant) who is also a bit of a cad. They do start up a sort of relationship but there is definitely more committment on Bridget's part than Daniel's. As the film progresses though she does start to see him for
what he is - a liar and a cheat. Also, Bridget keeps bumping into Mark Darcy at different events and is surprised to find herself becoming more and more attracted to him! Throughout the film, the viewer is kept wondering which man Bridget is going to end up with - and of course I'm not going to tell you just in case you are one of the few people who have not seen the film!
Throughout the film Bridget keeps her diary. This sometimes features with her scribbling things down and at other times her comments appear across the screen. I thought more could have been made of this particularly when Bridget commits a faux pas! Once or twice a certain expletive appears across the screen as a wry comment, but in my opinion, not often enough!
Also in the book, every diary entry starts with Bridget's record of her weight, how many cigarettes she has smoked, and her intake of calories! This appeared a couple of times on the screen but I don't know why they didn't continue this every time the story moved on to what would have been a new diary entry! After all, these are the things that motivate Bridget the most! I read somewhere that Renee Zellweger actually put on weight in order to make this film but she did not come across as a particularly overweight, weight obsessed woman!
Having said that though I really did enjoy the performances of all the three main characters. I thought Renee Zellweger was a very convincing Bridget, and her facial expressions spoke volumes. It was interesting seeing Hugh Grant playing anything other than the nice guy, and he did make a very convincing cad. I also thought it was interesting to see Colin Firth falling over his words when he tried to tell Bridget that he really did like her. I thought that this was usually what we would see Hugh Grant doing so it was definitely a bit of role reversal and, I thought, inspired casting. I like to see actors doing the unexpected!
There was also a good supporting cast including Jim Broadbent and Celia Imrie amongst others. There were some very funny characters such as Bridget's assortment of friends and her unusual mother who has a fling with a presenter on a shopping channel. All of the characters were fun and interesting in their own ways.
The whole film was very enjoyable and had some very funny moments. One example is when Bridgat holds a dinner party for her friends and turns the soup blue, by putting in leeks tied up with blue string! Amazingly all the guests eat it! Although it is funny, there is also a certain poignancy and anyone who is over thirty and still single will quite possibly identify with Bridget - especially when their well meaning friends have tried to fix them up with another unsuitable person for the umteenth time!
Throughout the film there was also a very enjoyable soundtrack with numbers such as 'It's raining Men' (the Geri Halliwell version), 'Can't take my eyes off you' (Andy Wiliams) and 'All By Myself' (Jamie O'Neal) All of the music seemed apt and certainly added to my enjoyment of the film.
There are a few extra features such as the director's commentary, some behind the scenes stuff and a couple of music videos. These are all quite interesting but I have to admit that I don't buy DVDs for the extras.
At the moment you can buy 'Bridget Jones's Diary' on Amazon for only £4.98. At that price it's definitely one to add to the collection!
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
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Good review - you didn't mention if there are any extras on the DVD but you gave a great overview of the film without giving key plot details away (always a difficult balance, I find).
The inclusion of little details and events from the film made it all the more interesting to read.
RICHADA 14.12.2007 19:19
Dear God spare me Bridgit Jones this Christmas in Widescreen, Blue Ray or any other dazzling format! Richard.
pennywa 13.12.2007 19:45
Great review, I enjoyed it a lot!! Penny xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Featuring a blousy, winningly inept size-12 heroine,Bridget Jones's Diaryis a fetching ... more
adaptation of Helen Fielding's runaway bestseller, grittier thanAlly McBealbut sweeter thanSex and the City. The normally sylphlike Renée Zellweger (Nurse Betty,Me, ...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
On new Years Day, hung over and still single, Bridget Jones - a 30-something London girl - ... more
decides to get a grip on her life and start a diary:Resolution number one: obviously, will lose twenty pounds.Number two: will find nice sensible boyfriend and n...
Advantages: Great central performance from Renee Zellweger, A main character the audience can genuinely empathise with Disadvantages: The inclusion of Geri Halliwell's 'It's Raining Men'
![Bridget Jones's Diary [DVD] [2001]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78534424.jpg "Bridget Jones's Diary [DVD] [2001]")
![Bridget Jones's Diary [DVD] [2001]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78513660.jpg "Bridget Jones's Diary [DVD] [2001]")
Dec 12th, 2007
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