Bridget -- just as she is.

Rating: 9/10 (18 April 2001)

One of the things that make this film so appealing and so good is the superb casting of absolutely everyone.
Renee Zellweger is simply marvelous as the slightly daft Bridget Jones  unsure of who she is, whom she wants to be with, what she wants and how to go about getting it. The character of Bridget is a bit of storm-tossed flotsam on the sea of life  going where the wind and waves take her and only occasionally taking charge of her own life.
Colin Firth  Mr. Darcy in this film and in `Pride and Prejudice'  is dark, brooding and enigmatic: he seems as unsure of what he wants and whom he wants to be with as poor Bridget does. He underplays his character; and his performance is all the richer for it.
Hugh Grant is sublimely smarmy as Daniel Cleaver. I understand how a woman could fall for such a jerk but you want desperately for them not to.
The sound track is great: lots of old songs that evoke the mood and feeling that the film is trying to achieve.
Though there is little overt nudity this film is rated `R' for language and sexuality. I saw this film at a large metroplex theater and the girls in line in front of me bought tickets for a `G' rated film but after the obligatory stop at the concession counter made a beeline for "Bridget." I don't think they were warped for life  but I have never heard the `F' word used more in any film.
This is a wonderful example of a plot and story driven film. No big splashy special effects just a story of a young woman's journey of self-discovery. I highly recommend it.