(2001) A smashingly grand and randy romantic comedy based on Helen Fielding's novel, directed by Sharon Maguire, with sly references to Jane Austen's novels and the films based on them (for example, co-screenwriter Andrew Davies has written several BBC screenplays of Austen adaptations).

On New Year's Day, Bridget Jones (Renée Zellweger) in her "32nd year of being single" arrives at her mother's annual turkey-curry buffet where as she expects her mother (Gemma Jones) has another eligible bachelor present, Mark Darcy (Colin Firth, who in effect reprises the role of Mr Darcy in Andrew Davies's 1995 version of Pride and Prejudice), a divorcee and an environmental barrister (just coincidence that Josh in Clueless is preparing to become a dirt-hugging environmental lawyer?), wearing a ridiculous reindeer jumper, who had been a childhood neighbor, four years her senior.

However, after listening to Bridget babble, he says to his mother (the jumper had been her gift): "I do not need a blind date. Particularly not with some verbally incontinent spinster who smokes like a chimney, drinks like a fish, and dresses like her mother."

To help her with New Year's resolutions, Bridget starts a diary: lose 20 pounds, change panties each day, and find a decent, sensible man. Instead she wears a see-through blouse to work at a London publishing house and begins flirting by e-mail with her boss, Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant).

At the launch party for a new book, Kafka's Motorbike, Bridget launches into a post-modern oratory in which she refers to the new publication as "one of the top thirty books of our time," taking into consideration Salman Rushdie's presence, and nearly pronounces Mr Fitzherbert's name as "Tits Pervert." Surprisingly Mark, haughty as usual, shows up as well with a young woman, Natasha (Embeth Davidtz). Daniel takes Briget home and takes off most of her clothes. He also tells her that after he and Mark had been mates together at Cambridge, he'd been Mark's best man, but when he'd later introduced Mark to his fiancée, Mark took advantage and shagged her.

Pam, Bridget's mother, leaves her father, Colin (Jim Broadbent), for Julian with whom she sells fake jewelry on cable television. On a mini-break holiday weekend with Daniel - thinking this "means true love" - they again encounter Mark with Natasha. Returning to London early, thus avoiding a party at her parents (where all but Bridget, costumed as a Playboy bunny, and a few others were not informed of a change of attire from prostitutes and priests to something more casual and respectable), Daniel says he must take care of important business before the American partners arrive; but Bridget discovers he's not only been with Lara - they're engaged.

Considering her new circumstances, Bridget chooses vodka and Chaka Khan over a bad man while beginning an exercise regimen and search for new employment. During an interview for a television-news position when she's asked about El Niño she answers: "Latin music is on the way out." When Daniel attempts to lure her back to his publishing business, she turns him down saying (pre-invasion of Iraq, of course) she'd "rather have a job wiping Saddam Hussein's ass."

At another dinner party where Mark and Natasha are also present, someone asks: "Why is it there are so many unmarried women in their 30s, Bridget?" But then things begin to look brighter as she turns 33 in November, weighing in at 138 pounds, after hearing Mark say something for once that didn't sound cutting: "I like you just the way you are."

Employed at a TV station with her own program, "Sit Up, Britain," she gets a great scoop with Mark's help, who then arrives at her flat on her birthday, becoming in her eyes "moral, noble, normal, and helpful in the kitchen." However, just as, in addition to Mark, her three friends - Jude (Shirley Henderson), Shazza (Sally Phillips), and gay Tom (James Callis), who nine years before had a one-hit-wonder pop song - are enjoying blue soup, omelets, and green marmalade, who should appear but Daniel in his "posh voice and bad character."

After a brawl in the street - hey, everybody, cries Tom, "Fight!" - that breaks into and then crashes out of a restaurant, Daniel appeals to Bridget: "If I can't make it with you, I can't make it with anyone." Looking down on her former amour and employer she replies: "I'm still looking for something more extraordinary than that."

By Christmas she's gained two more pounds as she drives her parents to the Darcys' ruby anniversary celebration where Mr Darcy announces his son's promotion to a law firm in New York City where Natasha is expected to become not just his partner in law but also in life. Still, Bridget's diary has more to say, almost too much.

Click here for links to places to buy or rent this movie in video and/or DVD format, or to buy the soundtrack, posters, books, even used videos, games, electronics and lots of other stuff. I suggest you shop at least two of these places before buying anything. Prices seem to vary continuously. For more information on this film, click on this link to The Internet Movie Database. Type in the name of the movie in the search box and press enter. You will be able to find background information on the film, the actors, and links to much more information.

Copyright © 2008 Patrick Ivers. All rights reserved.
Reproduced with the permission of the copyright holder.

Patrick Ivers can be reached via e-mail at .