The history of love between Miss Jones and Mr. Darcy - almost a modern-day Austen tale

Rating: 7/10 (31 March 2001)

It's talented Miss Z (Renee Zellweger) meets Mr. Darcy (Colin Firth), with Hugh Grant the Imp-erfect boss, Gemma Jones the glamorous Mom, Jim Broadbent the tolerant Dad, and Embeth Davidtz as Natasha, shadowing Mark Darcy. If you've seen the A&E 1995 miniseries "Pride and Prejudice" with Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy, you might think that they intentionally have Firth as Mark Darcy in "Bridget Jones's Diary." The two Darcy's truly belong to Colin Firth, who delivered both characters with equal brilliance and restraint. The latter, being outside of Austen's landscape, provided more room for Firth's subtle comedic touch.
I thoroughly enjoyed the preview of director Sharon Maguire's 2001 "Bridget Jones's Diary." Zellweger put on 15-20 pounds and a British accent for the lead role. Once again, she optimized the chance to deliver the role with spot-on comedic tempo - one cannot not laugh and chuckle over the endearingly clumsy, not so articulate or business smart Miss Jones in her 30's, looking for the perfect man to take her away from the life of being single.
Hugh Grant certainly is taking risks these days - he was a charming swindler in Woody Allen's "Small Time Crooks" 2000; here in "Bridget Jones's Diary," still exuding his infectious charm, Grant has no qualms in displaying the slapstick side of him, appearing uncouth and downright drenched and untidy (and 'bit of bloody, too.)
The audience at the preview obviously enjoyed the movie. I was unable to catch certain phrases due to the laughter and hearty chuckles. We're having such a good time watching Zellweger, Grant and Firth interacting. The dialogs were funny and engaging, and the plot is not entirely predictable - we were kept in suspense prior to the ending. (Demonstrating how easily we assume and react, thinking at once in our own perspective vs. pause to project - oh well, an inescapable human condition inherent to relationships, indeed.)
There was no ending credit roll at the preview, but the songs were catchy and finger tapping. I hope they will keep the beyond-ending segment of rolling the childhood video of Jones (at 4) and Darcy (at 8) - it sure adds depth to the history of love.
Other worthwhile Renee Zellweger films are: director Dan Ireland's "Whole Wide World, The" 1996, as Novalyne Price opposite Vincent D'Onofrio; director Boaz Yakin's "Price Above Rubies, A" 1998, a substantial gutsy role as a Jewish young woman in the jewelry business opposite Christopher Eccleston; director Carl Franklin's "One True Thing" 1998, as daughter to Meryl Streep and William Hurt; director Neil LaBute's "Nurse Betty" 2000, as Betty Sizemore, another funny and sensitive role, opposite Morgan Freeman, Aaron Eckhart, and Greg Kinnear.