Funny  but it's really just a feature length version of Ally McBeal in the UK isn't it?

Rating: Null/10 (9 June 2002)

After yet another year of loneliness and disappointments in love Bridget decides to improve her lot and find love while keeping track of her progress in her diary. She gets involved with her cad of a boss, Daniel, but also is attracted to the upright Mark Darcy. Will she get either or loose both?
Brought to cinemas on a wave of hype due to the success of the book this was well looked for. I've never read the book  nor do I read those type of books so I had an open mind but feared I may not like it. The plot is relatively straightforward but is quite amusing. The jokes are funny and some of the situations are very good. It also boasts the most realistic fight put on film (no fancy moves or punches  just two men swinging, kicking and scrabbling around). What put me off was the similarities to the US TV show Ally McBeal.
Like Ally McBeal the film uses fantasy scenes that only exist in our character's head and she has a troublesome love life. This is OK but it does give you the feeling you've seen it al before somewhere. The bigger problem is that the character suffers from the same problems as Ally  in that you want her to just get a grip and grow up. For women this is different as they may see elements in the character that they can recognise in themselves (like many men could in High Fidelity's Rob Gordon), however for me Ally is irritating as she seeks perfection and is never happy. Bridget has the same basic character and it makes her hard to get behind  the only sentiment I can say I felt for the lead was pity rather than empathy.
That said Zellweger still does a good job  her accent is good and she does manage to look a little frumpy and put upon. Ignoring the question of why they couldn't get a British actress to do it (one word  money) then she does well. Grant is funny in a harder role than usual  he still does hi usual stammering bit but at least he's a bit more of a cad than a fop. Firth is a bit Stoney but is good and the support cast (including Jim Broadbent) are all good.
Overall this is funny but it is definitely for girls as many men will fail to sympathise with the character of Bridget. I saw some of her in many of my women friends of the same age but I still couldn't get past the idea that she was a bit irritating. However if you like the book and you can watch Ally McBeal without wanting to slap her then you'll like this. Even if you don't it still has some funny moments.