What Fun!

Rating: Null/10 (19 August 2001)

Whoever thought of doing Bridget Jones as a modernized version of the ultimate romance 'Pride and Prejudice' is a genius. Perhaps it was Andrew Davies, who wrote the script for the wonderful BBC serial of that classic, with, of course, Colin Firth as the inscrutable Darcy, aloof, self-possessed, but underneath a seething maelstrom of emotions. (By coincidence or not, one of our cable channels has just re-run the serial.) In-jokes and parallels abound--Crispin Bonham-Carter in a tiddly little role; the only kiss between Bridget and Darcy coming right at the end, along with Darcy's only smile for the film; the differing reports of the early relationship between Daniel/Wickham and Darcy, leading to some of Bridget's Prejudice (along with her overhearing of Darcy's first impression of her); and this is a small sample of the delights for lovers of P&P, both the book and the serialisation.
Even without familiarity with P&P, it is a fun film. Bridget is a wonderful mess, who does a fine line of embarrassment; Daniel Cleaver is a gorgeous cad; Colin Firth a gallant hero (though what he could see in Bridget ...?); and the usual Chorus of friends (cf. Notting Hill, Four Weddings, Sliding Doors) is entertaining. The performances are strong all down the cast list. I particularly enjoyed James Faulkner's 'Uncle' Geoffrey, and Paul Brooks's Mr Fitzherbert ('Titspervert'). Renee Zellweger's accent has been criticized, but it completely fooled some English friends, and she was charming in the role.
I loved 'Diary', but I hope that any attempt to mount a sequel is quashed immediately.