Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason Review
by Robin Clifford (robin AT reelingreviews DOT com)November 17th, 2004
"Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason"
In 2001, the weight/ciggie/drinkie challenged Bridget Jones (Renee Zellweger) took the world by storm as she bumbled her way into romance with Mark Darcy (Colin Firth) and, by the end, seemed to have the perfect life in store. Now, Bridget is shagging her beau with gusto and her career is on the rise just four weeks later in "Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason."
The original Helen Fielding novel, as adapted to the screen by Fielding, Andrew Davies and Richard Curtis, is a bright, good-natured look at the neurotic, obsessive and lovable Bridget as she tells her story through the pages of her diary. The sequel forgoes the charm of continued ramblings by Bridget as she, daily, recounted her weight, the number of cigarettes and drinks consumed and the number of times shagged, which was usually zero,
"Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason" takes on the issues of sustaining a relationship, balancing a career and toying with lust. But, it is all just more of the same as the heroine continues to be insecure, screwing things up and, unfortunately, not nearly as amusing as the first time around.
Renee Zellweger, again gaining weight to play the pleasingly plump Bridget, doesn't look quite as cute this time and has a more sallow, pasty-faced appearance. Colin Firth, usually a durably likable and droll actor, has little of his earlier charm from the first film (though he fights with Hugh Grant character – again) and comes across steeped in confused ambiguity. Grant, reprising his lovably caddish Daniel Cleaver, gets mileage out of his pared down role. Others from the first film – Jim Broadbent as B's dad and Gemma Jones as her mum are given less to do, as do the rest – fill in their places without distinction.
Techs, too, are a rehash of the original with Gemma Jackson's production design giving the same look to the sequel. Adrian Biddle replaces Stuart Dryburgh behind the camera and things maintain a consistent look, at least. Costume, by Jany Temime, carries forth Bridget's often-tasteless couture. Beeban Kidron"s direction is straightforward but unexciting – by-the-numbers.
"Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason" doesn't enter a brave new world for its title character. It's only more of the same but without the spark of originality of "Bridget Jones's Diary." I recommend renting the first one and, if you're really interested in the lesser sequel, wait to rent this, too. I give it a D+.
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