Between oddball and screwball: near-perfect comedy

Rating: 9/10 (30 July 2001)

Romantic comedies seem to have a hard time in reviews, they don't seem to get the truly high ratings other types of movies get. Perhaps this is because they are slightly predictable and generally wearing a bit thin.
Not so this one. Helen Fielding, who wrote the bestselling novel 'Bridget Jones's Diary' also co-wrote the screenplay and co-produced this film, which was probably a good thing. Instead of standardized, stereotyped U.S. romantic comedy stuff, we get some truly wacky British humour, somewhere between oddball and screwball, but never in bad taste (the elk sweater early on is as bad as it gets ;-) ).
Considering the number of copies Fielding's book has sold, the plot probably needs little comment. Bridget Jones, age 32, tries to find a man for fear that she may die a spinster and be eaten by alsatians.
Great acting from Renée Zellweger, who manages to portray Bridget as clumsy, chaotic, but also as very likeable and believable. Despite the fact that there were many traps for overacting, she managed brilliantly to come across as a person rather than a caricature. Kudos.
Hugh Grant was finally cast in the perfect role. This is so much better than the type of character he usually plays. I don't think he's a great actor or particularly good in this film, but this role was just so perfect.
Colin Firth as the other possible love interest seemed very distanced and strangely cold -- that's okay considering his role, but I felt he should have thawed a bit more towards the end.
Of the remaining cast, Jim Broadbent stood out in a brief, yet remarkable performance as Bridget's father.
All in all, one of the better comedies this year. Usually I'd give it an 8, but this has a serious acting bonus for a great ensemble who seemed to have enjoyed themselves, so I'll give it a 9.