By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 3.25
Director: Sharon Maguire
Starring: Colin Firth | Gemma Jones | Hugh Grant | Jim Broadbent | Renée Zellweger | Sally Phillips | Shirley Henderson
Country: france, united_kingdom, united_states
Year: 2001
Running time: 97
IMDB: http://us.imdb.com/Details?0243155
Michael says: “Caught a sneak preview of BRIDGET JONES’S DIARY on Thursday night and have to say it was sweet. While it does qualify as a Chlotrudis film, it really resembled something geared more toward a mainstream audience. I get the impression that the book was more cutting, sarcastic and witty, while the movie went for more of a sweet feel. I must say that I thought Renee Zellweger was quite good in the title role, British accent and all, Hugh Grant was surprisingly funny and I’m glad to see Colin Firth in the sympathetic, male lead role after being saddled with the unpleasant nasty role (CIRCLE OF FRIENDS) or the cuckolded husband role (THE ENGLISH PATIENT) so often in recent years. But basically, I’m glad I didn’t pay for this one.” 2 1/2 cats
Robin says: “Book adaptations, especially one as narration heavy as Helen Fielding’s tome about a single woman in London, are a tough bet to put up on the big screen successfully. It’s nice to see the case where a good, entertaining book is translated into a good, entertaining movie and director Sharon McGuire and company give us exactly that in BRIDGET JONES’S DIARY.” 4 cats
“For Robin’s complete review: “http://www.reelingreviews.com/bridgetjonessdiary.htm”
Scot says: “While I went into Bridget Jones with the same fears as Michael (that it would be all caustic, clever first person narrative) I didn’t leave with quite as many reservations, I think. As for it being geared toward a mainstream audience, well… marketing, schmarketing. I think the intent of the director, at least, was to make the audience laugh and smile, both of which I did at several points in the film.
“Renee Z gave a fine, relaxed performance which is refreshing in any comedy these days. I thought Hugh Grant was well cast as the cad, in a sort of inoffensive way. Colin Firth, however, I’m not so sure I cared for. Quite literally. He didn’t really have much charm at all, which I think is a shame. I think we should have been able to see that behind his quiet dorkishness. The supporting cast of friends were amusing, if fairly characterless. And the gay guy only made me wince once.
“I felt like I had seen many of the scenes before and most of the laughs were traditional gags. That said, I *did* laugh quite a bit and left the theater feeling good. So I suppose I wouldn’t have missed the eight bucks as much as Michael, had I paid.”
Tara says: “I read the novel a few years ago and loved it as a piece of mindless entertainment that does touch upon the plight of the single 30 year old woman…a plight i am all to familiar with…I loved this movie! It was simple, but it was fun and poignant. It deviated greatly from the novel, but still seemed to hold its own. I adore Hugh Grant and he has never looked better than in this film. He is also becoming a better actor, as this role is finally, not the charming, affable English chap we usually see. I also thought Colin Firth was lovely, very talented and dark. I actually enjoyed Renee Zellweger too…not a huge fan, but she worked for me… my only problem with the whole film is that her neurosis about her body revolves around the notion that 135 pounds on a 5’5″ frame is fat… please…”