A Pathetic Loser and Her Pathetic Life

Rating: 6/10 (15 May 2001)

An unambitious, lazy and coarse woman of decidedly loose morals who drinks and smokes too much, is irresponsible and inept at work, and sadly (and drunkenly) warbles sentimental songs ("All By Myself") between slugs of vodka alone in her apartment has not managed to find someone who would like to be her boyfriend. What a surprise.
We are supposed to perceive of 30-something Bridget Jones (Renee Z.) as a sympathetic character; (the audiences are predominantly female, and presumably are commiserating). What I saw instead was a foul mouthed lout and obtuse loser who, despite promises to the eponymous diary, made no real effort to address the deficiencies she herself fully recognized.
Working at a publishing house in London, she responds to the lewd e-mailed suggestions of her boss, played by Hugh Grant (the caddish snake with a proper British accent is a slight variation on his usual character, but one he does well). Although she seems to know he is up to no good, she happily proceeds, merely setting herself up for humiliation and disappointment (the two common occurrences which provide the "humor" of this movie). The alternative with whom she is presented is a stodgy (divorced) lawyer whom she ostensibly knew as a child, but seems to have been raised in a manor house on an estate some distance away, contradicting a central theme of the story, which is that (according to her mother who is trying to set them up) she romped naked as a four year old in his wading pool (he was eight at the time).
The representation of middle class life in London for a young single person is interesting, as it was in "Notting Hill", but it was also noteworthy that the two significant incidences of potential calamity had their origins in "New York" (interestingly the home office not only of her publishing firm, but of the lawyer's firm as well).
Most people have some vices, bad habits or other imperfections. Bridget has these, but precious little else. Her troubles are those caused solely by herself and her actions (or inactions). The story laboriously drags itself to its clearly telegraphed "happy" conclusion, but we are left wondering, why?
Midway through the movie, after cataloging a list of faults, the lawyer and potential suiter somewhat inexplicably states "... but I like you". That's more than I can say for Bridget, or the movie. If your girlfriend (or date) insists, then go, but otherwise stay away!