Quirky, witty, charming, and endearing: meet Bridget Jones. “Bridget Jones’s Diary,” based on the (incredible) book of the same name by Helen Fielding, is the smartest romantic comedy I’ve seen in a long time. Starring Renee Zellweger as the lovable Bridget Jones and co-starring Colin Firth as Mark Darcy, a rather grim lawyer and love interest and Hugh Grant as Daniel Cleaver, Bridget’s womanizing boss, “Bridget Jones’s Diary” manages to make what could be a stock romantic comedy into a bright, witty, sharp comedy that defies the “chick flick” genre.
The story is as follows: Bridget Jones is thirty-two, single, and working at a publishing house in London. The movie begins on New Year’s Day as Bridget is headed to her mother’s (Gemma Jones, terrific as the meddling mother) for the annual “Turkey Curry Buffet.” As soon as she arrives, Bridget’s mother introduces her to Mark Darcy, a lawyer from London. After a disastrous encounter with Mark, Bridget heads back to London, where she decides she is going to take control of her life. To carry out this goal, she starts writing in a diary, noting in every entry her weight, number of cigarettes smoked, and alcohol units consumed. She also swears she will not fall for any of the following types of men: “alcoholics, workaholics, commitment phobics, peeping Toms, megalomaniacs, or perverts.” Unfortunately, Bridget has fallen for a man who embodies all of these qualities: her boss, Daniel Cleaver. She also continues to run into Mark Darcy at the most inopportune moments. The romantic conflict for Bridget between Mark and Daniel is the centerpiece of the movie, and it manages not to be schmaltzy by not making either man perfect. Daniel’s an inconsiderate playboy, and Mark is an overly serious man who doesn’t quite know what to make of Bridget. Beyond her love life, Bridget also has to deal with her parents’ separation, career issues, and her self-image. How does she manage it all? I’m not going to tell you. But I will tell you she comes through with an endearing charm that will make you fall in love with her.
This is the first movie I’ve seen Renee Zellweger in where I didn’t want to slap her. In this movie, she is terrific. Her British accent is spot-on, in my opinion, and she manages to not make Bridget pathetic. Certainly Bridget has her problems, but Zellweger brings a spark and a genuine likeability into the character. Zellweger put on twenty pounds for this role, and this is one of my favorite parts of the film: even though Zellweger’s Bridget is not a size two, she is still a sexual, attractive woman who has no problem getting two of the best looking men I’ve seen in a while to fall for her. Bridget certainly has her own share of self-doubt, but at the end of the day, she still likes herself.
Hugh Grant is doing a complete 180 from the types of roles he usually does, and he does it fabulously. Daniel is smarmy but still charming, and through his interactions with Bridget makes it clear why any woman would fall for him. Incidentally, he’s also really good looking. Rawwwwr.
Colin Firth is terrific as Mark Darcy. The similarities between Mark and Firth’s role as Mr. Darcy in “Pride and Prejudice” are obvious. Helen Fielding has said she thought of Firth while writing the character of Mark, and I cannot see any other acting playing this part. Mark is a serious lawyer-type, but Firth also brings a touch of awkwardness to this seemingly poised man, especially in his dealings with Bridget. Firth’s Mark doesn’t know quite what to make of the quirky, honest Bridget, but he knows he likes her. I fell in love with Mark right along with Bridget, and am somewhat upset that I didn’t get to take him home. He gives a great performance, and it doesn’t hurt that he’s also quite attractive. Yummy.
The supporting cast is also wonderful, from Bridget’s wacky friends to her kindred soul father to her domineering mother. Sharon Maguire, directing her first feature film, does a commendable job: Bridget is not a character to be pitied in her adaptation but rather, an Everywoman who is trying her best to be true to herself and ultimately succeeds. “Bridget Jones’s Diary” is not simply romantic fluff; it also has a great message for women everywhere. Bridget definitely has her flaws, but is still in control of her own life and is not a hopeless case.
The movie’s only fault in my book is a slightly drawn-out ending, but the conclusion is well worth the wait. Anyone who has read Pride and Prejudice will find the story familiar; much as Jane Austen’s Emma inspired “Clueless”, “Bridget Jones’s Diary” is a modern adaptation of the Austen novel.
And if you thought the movie was good, wait until you read the book.
By Josie Hemmingsen
$9.00/10.00 |
