Bridget Jones's Diary (2001)

Next up in our "fluffy romantic comedies" marathon was Bridget Jones's Diary, because we love England, Colin Firth, and Jane Austen. Bridget (Renée Zellweger) is a thirtysomething "singleton" who works for a London publishing house. At Christmas, her pushy mother (Gemma Jones) introduces her to standoffish lawyer Mark Darcy (Colin Firth), who rejects her rudely. By the start of the new year, Bridget is determined to quit smoking, quit drinking, lose some weight, and find a decent boyfriend, keeping a diary to monitor her commitment to these changes.

Going against her better judgment, she starts sleeping with her rakish, snide boss Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant), but they keep running into Mark, who seems against their relationship after a previous break in friendship with Daniel. Eventually she realizes that Daniel isn't good for her, and amidst her parents' separation, Bridget leaves him and publishing and becomes a television reporter, recognizing the need to be more independent. Meanwhile, she begins to see Mark around more often and questions her initial judgment of him.

I guess I am generally a fan of classic British texts adapted into modern comedies. Helen Fielding has loosely translated some of Eliza's, Darcy's, and Wickham's qualities into Bridget, Mark, and Daniel, but fitted into a contemporary cultural mode. Eliza's wilder aspects (ie taking long walks unescorted- shocking), quick judgments, and lesser romantic desirability become Bridget's wackiness, tendency to speak without thinking, and slightly plumper frame (even though she looks pretty normal to me... unless I am a "fat" person too). Wickham's earnest lying and easy charm become Daniel's over-confidence and sarcastic wit. Darcy's pretty much the same. I think it's a really interesting adaptation, as Fielding injected a lot of her own modern ideas while still keeping the gist of the original.

Despite frequently bemoaning her "singleton" status, Bridget is a pretty likable, relatable character. Zellweger competently makes her comedic, but realistic and sympathetic. Usually I'm not a huge fan of her, but I think she is definitely at her best here. It's an unglamorous role but she commits herself to it completely. Grant and Firth are equally enjoyable, with the former oozing asshole suavity and the latter playing it slightly awkward but inescapably adorable. Jim Broadbent and Gemma Jones are sweet as Bridget's parents, and I'm glad their story is elaborated upon more than it is in Pride and Prejudice, in which they're more caricatures. I loved Bridget's friends (it's always so nice to see Shirley Henderson) as well, who aren't there too much but seem to light up the room when they are.

The script is quite funny if often ludicrous, the cast is swell, and the main character champions the cause of the "average" middle-class working woman. It's a little overly-silly and frivolous, but the running commentary from Bridget throughout keeps it all entertaining and grounded. Main drawbacks: the soundtrack sucks (extremely cliche and boring), and we never see Colin Firth with his shirt off. Oh well. Still a pretty good time, though!

4/5