A 'Diary' to love! *SPOILERS*

Rating: Null/10 (19 July 2004)

When British author Helen Fielding wrote Bridget Jones's Diary, she had no idea it was going to be a best-selling book; let alone a movie loved by millions. Fielding `shamelessly stole the plot' of Jane Austen's `Pride and Prejudice', creating a much more updated version of the clever and romantic book. One of the most obvious similarities is the character of Mr. Darcy, conveniently reprised by the ultra-dreamy Colin Firth, who starred in A&E's `Pride and Prejudice' miniseries back in 1995.
Renee Zellweger, being a wholesome blonde from Texas, would not have been the logical choice to play Bridget; the pleasingly quirky woman who smokes and downs vodka. But she dismisses all doubts in the first scene (which is at a New Years party) where she describes her mother as being from a time where `pickles on toothpicks were the height of sophistication', flaunting a figure 20 pounds heavier and a flawless British accent.
It is in this opening scene where Bridget is introduced to Colin Firth's character, Marc Darcy. Marc is an old family friend, who has become a successful barrister (lawyer). He exhibits an extreme sense of arrogance in their meeting and his distaste in Bridget is visible. She later overhears him insulting her; establishing Bridget and the audience's dislike of Mr. Darcy.
Hugh Grant, who seems to always find himself in romantic comedies, plays Daniel Cleaver, Bridget's deviously handsome boss at the publishing house. They engage in flirtatious e-mailing, which soon develops into a merely sexual relationship. Hugh Grant's infatuation with Bridget gives off this `too-good-to-be-true' vibe; so when Bridget's surprise visit to his house results in the discovery of another girlfriend, no jaws are dropped.
Unlike most romantic comedies, the love affairs of Bridget do not overwhelm the whole storyline. We see Bridget meet with her diverse and earthy group of friends quite frequently. They offer her advice; along with a generous helping of the f-word. Not to be forgotten are Bridget's affectionate-but-frank parents; played by Jim Broadbent (Moulin Rouge) and Gemma Jones (Sense & Sensibility).
Perhaps the best part of this movie is when Daniel Cleaver and Marc Darcy throw intense punches and kicks at each other outside of Bridget's flat. What adds to this humor is the background song, `It's Raining Men'. Their fight gets so crazy that they find themselves inside of a Greek restaurant right in the middle of a birthday party. Through their panting, they sing along and immediately resume their brawl with a jump through the window. With both of these handsome men bruised and battered, lying in broken glass, Bridget is forced to choose one of them.
Sure, every young woman wants to watch a movie starring two handsome British men. But the reason that Bridget Jones's Diary is so remarkable is because it's not unrealistic and corny; it's simply a light-hearted, feel-good movie that will forever be one of my all-time favorites.

GRADE: A +++++