REEL REVIEWS: Unlock 'Bridget Jones' Diary'
By Justin Smith
The film “Bridget Jones’s Diary” is based on a best-selling novel of the same name by Helen Fielding. I have not read the book, but if it’s half as good as the movie I need to make a trip to the library.
Bridget Jones (Renée Zellweger) is a flawed woman. Her diary chronicles a year in her life as she tries to lose weight, quit smoking and drink less, all while attempting to find (and keep) love in her life.
Her first love attempt is with Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant) who happens to be her boss at a small publishing company. Their relationship begins with risqué, inter-office e-mailings and ends with Bridget finding a naked woman in his house. Bridget is hurt, but she is a strong woman.
A new relationship forms with Mark Darcy (Colin Firth), a man who her mother tries to set her up with. But soon this relationship too goes sour which leaves her consoling herself with “vodka and Chaka Khan”."
But again, Bridget is strong. Soon, however, her relationship with both the men improves and she has to decide between them.T
his film’s main asset is Renée Zellweger as she plays the part of Bridget wonderfully. Zellweger, a Texan, has a British accent that is not only acceptable but dead on. If not for her previous successes in “Jerry Maguire” and “Nurse Betty," this film surely would have made her a star.
Along with Zellweger, the supporting cast is also very good. Hugh Grant and Zellweger have remarkable on-screen chemistry. The chemistry between Firth and Zellweger is not bad but seems to pale in comparison.
This however is a minor problem as the film is as funny as it is witty. I can’t imagine any other actress (British or otherwise) in the role of Bridget. And that’s saying a lot.
Rating: 9 (out of 10)