Loved it!!!!

Rating: 9/10 (29 April 2001)

I've read the book more than once, and was a little leery of the film, but those fears were completely unfounded. This movie was truly one of the funniest I've seen in a long time.
I know that some feminists don't like this character, but they just don't seem to get it. I am a woman of a certain age and, while I can't say I know anyone who is exactly like Bridget, I can say that every woman I know has some elements of Bridget in her. Whether or not the anti-Bridget factions like to admit it, women have always obsessed about their weight, or about men, or about their parents, or whatever. What the people who snub their noses at this book/movie fail to see is that Mark Darcy has his own neuroses. This is a man whose mother who shows a dubious taste in Christmas gifts (but he loves her enough to wear them in public), a man whose wife had an affair with his best friend (but is too much of a gentleman to discuss it), a man who wants to have fun but who isn't really sure just how. Hence his attraction to Bridget. But since the story is told from Bridget's point of view, we dwell on her problems, not Mark's. Bridget is Everywoman, and Renee Zellwegger turns in a stellar performance in this role.
Colin Firth, who was a fine Fitzwilliam Darcy in the 1995 version of Pride & Prejudice, is, in my humble opinion, even better as Mark Darcy in this modern twist on the Austen novel. Hugh Grant should stick with playing cads and forget about the stammering leading man he has played once too often. He is wonderful as the Wickham-like character who has no scruples about taking what he wants, regardless of the consequences.
Gemma Jones and Jim Broadbent are terrific as Brigdet's parents. Jones is delightful as the ditzy mother who goes off to "find herself," only to discover that her real happiness lies at home. I would have liked to have seen more of Broadbent, but it was not to be, unfortunately.
From what I gather, the closing credits seen in Europe are different from those seen in North America. While Europeans get to see interviews with Bridget's family and friends, we North Americans get to see home movies of Mark's 8th birthday party. Not surprisingly, Bridget is the life of the party; she stuffs cake into her mouth and strips down before jumping into the paddling pool while Mark sits quietly and watches. I can only hope the DVD has both endings.
I've seen the film twice, and I have to say I managed to laugh even harder the second time. My advice to the naysayers? Lighten up. This movie is FUN.