Bridget Jones: The Edge Of Reason

Plot Summary

Bridget Jones (Renée Zellweger), the thirty-something who was obsessed with her weight and being single, is now experiencing the happiest time of her life. For the last eight weeks she has had the most fantastic boyfriend, Mark Darcy (Colin Firth), a prominent human rights lawyer no less! Things couldn't be better, unless of course, if Mark was to ask her to marry him. Now that would be just perfect - Mr. and Mrs Darcy - but the path of true love doesn't run smoothly and especially not for Bridget Jones. With terrible timing she is constantly saying or doing the wrong thing, looking foolish or embarrassing her stuffy, arrogant boyfriend! Bridget doesn't 'fit in' with his intelligent lawyer friends and wonders if they are compatible at all...

Review

This is the second 'Bridget Jones' romantic comedy. The first, Bridget Jones's Diary, was a huge success and this sequel starts off exactly where the first movie ended. It's not necessary to have seen the original but a lot of the jokes have followed through from the first movie and will be appreciated more by those who are familiar with the characters and story. It has a similar style and is very funny with plenty of laughs. As in the original the comedy derives from the silly predicaments that Bridget gets herself into. She is a bit of a scatterbrain, clumsy and always saying the wrong thing. There isn't an awful lot to the story and is a bit segmented as the story moves from one of Bridget's disasters to the next. It's probably fair to say that there was more story in the original but there is still plenty of material and laughs for this movie.

It always helps when the same cast return for a sequel and all the main characters are played by the came actors and actresses. Renée Zellweger is excellent in the part of Bridget Jones and she piled on the weight again for the role. Colin Firth plays Bridget's boyfriend, Mark Darcy, a dour character who takes life too seriously. His character is a perfect contrast for playboy Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant) who doesn't take relationships seriously. Daniel is constantly chasing women including Bridget.

One important ingredient for a romantic comedy is a good soundtrack and this movie has some good music from Robbie Williams, Will Young, Jamie Cullum and others.

The Bottom Line: One for the girls. This light-hearted rom-com has plenty of laughs. If you enjoyed the original you should enjoy this sequel. You might also like to take a look at Love Actually, About A Boy, Wimbledon or Two Weeks Notice.

Reviewed by Niall Quinn, Premier Movie Reviews 2004.

RELATED MOVIE REVIEWS:  RENEE ZELLWEGER:  Bridget Jones's Diary,  Chicago,  Cold Mountain,  Me Myself and Irene.  HUGH GRANT:  About A Boy,  Bridget Jones's Diary,  Love Actually,  Two Weeks Notice.  COLIN FIRTH:  Bridget Jones's Diary,  Girl With A Pearl Earring, Love Actually.  JIM BROADBENT:  Bridget Jones's Diary.  Gangs Of New York,  Moulin Rouge.

Genre: Comedy/Romance

Certificate: 15's

Director: Beeban Kidron

~ Main Cast ~

Renée Zellweger

Hugh Grant

Colin Firth

Jim Broadbent

RATING

WORTH A WATCH