Bridget Jones's Diary (2001)
Directed by Sharon Maguire
Bridget Jones is an average woman struggling against expectations. As a New Year's resolution, Bridget decides to take control of her life, starting by keeping a diary in which she will always tell the complete truth. Her charming boss takes an interest in her, and she cannot stop running into a rather disagreeable acquaintance whom Bridget cannot help finding quietly attractive.
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Also less than satisfying is the subplot involving Jim Broadbent ("Topsy-Turvy," "Little Voice") and Gemma Jones ("The Winslow Boy," "Sense and Sensibility") as Bridget's parents whose marriage is on the rocks.
Grant, who, like Firth, has appeared in an Austen adaptation ( Sense and Sensibility ), is at home in the role.
As directed by feature rookie Sharon Maguire (a TV and documentary vet who is pals with the author), the atmosphere of "Bridget Jones's Diary" does feel a bit too much like it was cast from a mold provided by producers Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner ("Four Weddings and a Funeral," "Notting Hill" ).
As adapted by Fielding, Richard Curtis (of Four Weddings and a Funeral and Notting Hill fame), and Andrew Davies, the film buzzes with sharp dialogue and rich characters.
Top British actors Hugh Grant and Colin Firth (both of whom are mentioned in the book) are Zellweger's male co-stars, and two of that country's cleverest screenwriters, "Four Weddings and a Funeral" and "Notting Hill's" Richard Curtis and "Pride and Prejudice" adapter Andrew Davies worked with Fielding on the script.
As one of her suitors, Hugh Grant ("Mickey Blue Eyes," "Notting Hill") is equally terrific.
Also less than satisfying is the subplot involving Jim Broadbent ("Topsy-Turvy," "Little Voice") and Gemma Jones ("The Winslow Boy," "Sense and Sensibility") as Bridget's parents whose marriage is on the rocks.
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In addition to extensive tutoring from the same dialogue coach who worked with Gwyneth Paltrow for her Oscar-winning role in "Shakespeare in Love," the petite Zellweger also gained 20 pounds to play the klutzy, weight-obsessed, liquor-swilling heroine looking for love.
Colin Firth ("Shakespeare in Love," "The English Patient") has less external charismatic leeway with his mostly stuffy barrister character, but still manages to deliver a good and ultimately winning performance within those parameters.
But Americans, who know the scrunchy-faced, Texas-born blonde as "Nurse Betty" and Tom Cruise's girlfriend in "Jerry Maguire," will find Zellweger's newly acquired English accent believable enough to enjoy her comic performance as the title character in this well-cast movie adapted from Helen Fielding's novel.
Still best known for her co-starring work with Tom Cruise in "Jerry Maguire," Zellweger's strongest suit is her vulnerability, the empathy she unerringly creates by having her feelings play nakedly on her face.
While much was initially made about the uproar over casting Texan Ren�e Zellweger ("Nurse Betty," "Jerry Maguire") as Bridget and then of the unheard of notion of the weight that she put on for the role (as far as the concept for an actress, not the actual pounds), I can't imagine a more perfect choice for the role.
Do not get self wrong: Oscar nomination for Zellweger as Bridget does not seem absolutely necessary, albeit fitting recompense for refreshingly ornery but overlooked One True Thing performance and totally winning Jerry Maguire breakthrough.
Not since her breakthrough roles in The Whole Wide World and Jerry Maguire has she given a performance of this all-around quality.