Renee Zellwegger (and yummy Colin Firth) were marvelous!

Rating: 9/10 (22 June 2001)

Very, very good film overall. Renee Zellwegger was brilliant. Colin Firth his yummy self as smoldering hero. Even men friends have loved it -- the fight scene especially, I'm told. Audience laughing loudly and throughout. Was slightly disappointed in ending (bit too contrived and sappy) and annoyed, occasionally, with melodramatic violins (e.g., during "Tarts and Vicars" party, when Bridget smoked with her dad outside and during Naked-American-Stick-Insect- Sitting-on-Bathtub" moment). Otherwise, the music enhanced many of the scenes (e.g., "All by Myself," "It's raining men," "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," etc.). But the crowing glory was Renee's performance. Without her nuances of expression and comedic timing -- I think audiences would have been more critical of this first-time director's cut-and-pasted look. It definitely needed tighter editing and a better flow (musically and otherwise). Also, the British humor was sometimes completely lost on the Americans. Most American women don't find sexual flirting in the workplace funny, or comments from men to women like "...you dirty bit__" or "...you ham-fisted cu__" funny either. Nor do Americans find heavy smoking and drinking particularly funny. They can't really relate. Wonderfully naughty British humor. Would highly recommend the film, despite criticisms. To tell you the truth, when I raised these issues with friends, they all thought I was being too picky. Everyone I know has adored this film.