An all-too real reflection of single life

Rating: Null/10 (16 April 2001)

Having read the book (well, parts of it), I knew they wouldn't be able to cram all of it into a movie. Considering what parts they did use, I'm very pleased with what Andrew Davies and the gang came up with.
The Brits might quibble about Rene (Bridget) Zellwegger's accent but I think this talented actress does a pretty good job. Her spunk is also contagious. She may not possess the British "reserve" but then she wouldn't be fun to watch if she did. Grant and Firth provide enough of that.

I think this is one of the first movies I've seen that actually gave us a glimpse of what a REAL single woman goes through. Zellwegger's lip-synching solo at the beginning is classic singleton. And the underwear contemplation is also classic. For those of us who don't resemble sticks like Julia Roberts and Cameron Diaz, this was very refreshing. Zellwegger's "pizza and Guiness" diet gave her a figure that probably 75 percent of us really have. THANK YOU!
Bridget's interaction with her parents is also quite touching. And the dinner party in which everyone asks Bridget why she's not married is another true-life moment.
I have to confess that my long-time fascination with Colin Firth (Mark Darcy) has now been flamed into an inferno due to this movie. Since most Americans aren't familiar with his work, I was so thrilled to see him get a chance to be funny and gorgeous at the same time. His "stick in the mud" attitude is dead on and I don't think anyone else could have done it justice. And yet he leaves the door open a crack to show us there's a real guy under the gruff exterior. The longing expression on his face as he watches Bridget horsing around with Grant while rowing on a lake is riveting. I'm so glad Andrew Davies talked him into playing a modern Darcy.
True, the ending is rather lame but hey, I'll take it. Kudos to the cast, including Grant's cadish portrayal, for a memorable movie.