Bridget Jones: the Edge of Reason film review

Review

Cast & crew

Bridget Jones: the Edge of Reason

(2004)

The reasoning behind this sequel is obvious after the huge success of 2001's Bridget Jones's Diary, and the makers aren't taking any risks by deviating from the winning formula. Viewers might even suspect the projectionist of screening the first film by mistake, for the sequel again opens with gormless but lovable Bridget (Renée Zellweger) arriving for a Christmas family reunion. Except now she is no longer single, having hooked dishy but taciturn lawyer Mark Darcy (Colin Firth). It's not long, however, before they're squabbling over such personal foibles as Mark's habit of folding his boxer shorts before going to bed, so Bridget heads off to Thailand to compile a travel programme with handsome cad Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant). The characterisations are once more excellent, so it's unfortunate that the scriptwriters (including Richard Curtis and the book's author, Helen Fielding) felt it necessary to revisit jokes from the original, and even expect laughs every time a character falls over or gets wet. Bridget Jones — as a character and first film — maintained a fine balance between the amusing and the tiresome. The sequel tilts this balance too far at times but, if you can ignore the many similarities, you may still laugh your socks off. BP

Contains swearing, sex scenes.

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Running time

103min

Country of origin

UK / US / Fr / Ire

Genre

Romantic Comedy

Original language

English

Screenplay

Helen Fielding, Andrew Davies, Richard Curtis, Adam Brooks, from the novel by Helen Fielding

Theatrical distributor

UIP

UK cinema certificate

UK cinema release date

November 2004




awards information


	Award	Category	Name	Nominee/Winner

	Golden Globe 2004	Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture Comedy or Musical	Renée Zellweger	Nominee