Rating: 
Summary: Not as good as expected.
Review: I found Bridget Jones' Diary to be very different from what I expected. In the commercials, Bridget Jones is portrayed as a suave young woman in her mid-twenties. However, I realized different when I watched the movie. Bridget Jones' diary takes place in Britain. The main character, Bridget (played by Renee Zelwigger) tells the audience about her past. We realize that she does not ordinarily have boyfriends, and , when her mother tries to set her up with a man, we find out why. We also realize that Bridget is not suave at all, which she realizes herself that New Year. She finds herself all alone, again, and makes a resolution to start a diary, among other things. Finally after consulting with her friends, she sends a naughty e-mail to her boss, who sends one back to her. After many such e-mails, her boss (played by Hugh Grant) asks her out. Later on, the man Bridget's mother tried to set her up with develops a crush on Bridget. Soon, Bridget is in the center of a love triangle and she must decide which man is Mr. Right. A bit shallow, a lot of flakiness, and not all that exciting.
Rating: 
Summary: Renee has NEVER given a bad performance
Review: Avoiding this film in the video stores, I was prompted to rent it when Renee Zellweger was nominated for an Oscar. I've always liked her, from her initial appearance in "Jerry Maguire", to supporting Meryl Streep's Oscar nominated peformance in "One True Thing". (Everyone admires Meryl, but Renee deserved the nomination). The DVD version is loaded with out-takes & interesting stuff. Then we have the film, itself. I originally thought this might be one of those "women's" films and, being a fairly open-minded male, I opted for other fare. Imagine my surprise! This is a film, based on a very specific idea of a single woman's mind. Here is a woman with no idea what she's looking for, listening to her friends who are as desperate as her; to her mother, who's stuck in the 60's; to married friends who are as phony as $2 bills (or pound notes). She's clumsy, inarticulate, overweight; and totally loveable. Renee is from Texas and delivers the most perfect English accent since her former co-worker Streep (in "French Lieutenant's Woman"). Hugh Grant is smug and more confuident than usual, and Colin Firth seems to play his part not much differently than he did as the scorned husband in "English Patient". Good triumphs over evil, after many misunderstandings, love triumphs over all; but it's some of the very sensitive female secret psychological moments that our Renee draws us in; she gives in to despair, drinks a lot, alone at home, and, while channel-surfing, always seems to come across a channel featuring "animal sex", whether lions, tigers or bears...oh my... Overweight, neurotic and totally out-of-touch, Renee Zellweger's Bridget is among the most delightful characters I've seen in a long time. Even "Entertainment Weekly" judged her as a long shot for an Oscar nomination because, face it, how do you compete with Alzheimer's, mother's losing children, etc.? This is a thoroghly engaging film with an outrageously courageous performance from the brilliant Renee Zellweger. I would vote for her, if I were able.
Rating: 
Summary: This Movie is More Like Pride and Prejudice than the Book
Review: The movie is great; it made me want to go get the book and read it. (I highly, highly recommend getting the book it is hilarious.) There are many differences between the book and the movie. Most of the time this makes me mad on the author's behalf, however, in this case I can totally understand why they made the changes they made. Just in case you are interested, the character of Mark Darcy is really underdeveloped in the book. The movie makers must have felt it imperative to draw more on Jane Austen's portrayal of Mr. Darcy to make the character worth having Colin Firth as its actor, because in the book the character of Mark Darcy does not pop up near as many times as it does in the movie. There are so many things that the movie adds that were never in the book. Daniel never lies to Bridget about Mark having slept with his fiance. Daniel and Mark never have that big huge fight scene that occurs near the end of the movie. Mark never gets a job in America and does not fly out there for any reason. Mark also never sees her diary and she never runs after him in her underwear during a snow storm. Bridget's parents never reconcile. There is a big part of the book that is left out of the movie and that is where Bridget's mother runs off with Julio and a bunch of stolen money, as Julio is a scam artist. (For those who have seen Pride and Prejudice this scene correlates with Lydia's running off with Wickham) Mark Darcy is responsible for then tracking them down and clearing up all the mess that they have caused. (Just like Darcy is the one who saves the day in Austen's version.)The character of Bridget is hailed as an every woman, and I think that this is quite fitting. Bridget is always getting caught in embarrassing situations that are very hard to watch and read about sometimes. She is a character whom all women should be able to relate to on some level. She is the kind of character we can definitely laugh with because she is very witty at times and that makes her into a very likable person.
Rating:
Summary: I was surprised - it was better than the book!
Review: I recall trying to read this book (key word: TRYING) and only making it about 1/4 of the way through. However, when I found out that Renee Zellweger was cast as Bridget in the movie, I immediately bought the movie without even renting it first, as I knew I'd love it. She is adorable, likeable, and REAL as Bridget. I think every woman in her thirties can relate to some aspect of Bridget. It was refreshing to see Zellweger cast as a real-looking woman, not a stick-thin Hollywood icon. And she actually looks quite good with the extra weight. Gotta see this one!
Rating: 
Summary: 2 stars because Rushdie is in it
Review: You know a movie's in trouble when Salman Rushdie can steal the limelight from Zellweger and Grant. We watch things happen to Zellweger seemingly at random - there's no apparent motive for the male characters. I've been told that this is the entire point of the film, but if you're going to draw 2 dimensional characters as an artistic choice, it shouldn't look like an accident.
Maybe the studio wrote a $300 check to everybody else, but it offends me that DVD's are wasted on this vapid fluff while Drowning by Numbers is barely available on VHS.
Rating:
Summary: Bridget Jone's Diary, VG
Review: Controversy is the breeding ground of many great films, it seems, nowadays. While I wouldn't attribute greatness to Bridget Jone's Diary, it certainly managed to overcome great dispute when an American actress was chosen to play the beloved Brittish heroine to become one of the best romantic comedies in years.
The actress in question is, of course, Renee Zellwegger, the star of Jerry Maguire, Nurse Betty, and Me, Myself, and Irene, best known for her ability to make people go "awwww, she's so cute!". And she maintains that status with "Bridget", but adds to it a new demand for respect as a serious actress with very broad capabilities, a respect she surely deserves. Her accent, least of all, is pitch perfect. It is, however, the skillful way that she transformed herself (not just physically, although she did gain 20 pounds for the role) into this dowdy Brittish spinster, creeping up on middle age, that is so remarkable in this film. Aaahhh yes, the film. Better say a few words about that as well.
The mood is light, almost silly at times, delving into the serious only at arms length, a quality most romantic qualities lack (I am not a fan of the dramedy). The only time this mood changes, is when Bridgets heart is broken, and that is a fleeting period in the movie.
The supporting cast is brilliant, especially Bridgets mother, who is so effective in her role that you just want to shake her and scream, but know you'll be laughing at the same time. The development of a relationship between the Bridget and Mark is endearing, and heartbreakingly bittersweet. His warm and sullen demeanor is a brilliant contrast to Bridget's neurotic, insecure manner. They compliment each other beautifully. The chemistry is there, the plot development is grand, in fact there is only one thing with which i have a problem. How many false endings can one movie have? Kiss her already.
Rating:
Summary: Renee couldn't be lovlier as Bridget Jones...
Review: Renee Zellweger fills in the shoes of Bridget Jones, very nicely thank you! I must admit, however, I was one of those skeptics that wasn't sure how well she would fair in the role from the best selling book by Helen Fielding. To my surprise, and obviously that of many theater goers, Zellweger, mastered her accent and took the part to heart. As the loveable Bridget, she takes us through a year of her life, dealing with her troubles with men (Hugh Grant, Colin Firth) and her job and friends. Hugh Grant is good as the bad boy that treats her shabbily and Colin Firth is good, as well, as the stuffy, but good hearted man that continually crosses her path. This is an excellent romantic comedy for a date or to settle in with some good friends and enjoy. The dvd has some extras, such as music videos, that are a nice addition. Take Bridget home!
Rating:
Summary: v.v.g.
Review: As a huge fan of the book, I was more than a little dismayed to see Renee Zellweger cast as my beloved Bridget. I went to the movie and was blown away by the excellent translation of the book to the screen. Having read the book to the point where I can recite passages from memory, I did notice discrepancies, but the movie is fantastic. Renee is a wonderfully blundering Bridget. Colin Firth - what can I say, he's great, as is Hugh Grant. Any fans of the BBC version of Pride and Predjudice will be very amused to see Firth cast (again) as Mr. Darcy. I did purchase the DVD version, and was rewarded with the deleted scenes from the movie included on the disk. Love the one with Ice Ice Baby playing throughout. All, in all, very funny movie. Whether or not you've read the book - give it a try (even my father enjoyed it).
Rating:
Summary: I highly recommend!
Review: This is a fabulous story with 3-dimensional characters that make you laugh until you almost cry. Bridget is easy to relate to and fun to watch. This is a character driven film with an interesting plot filled with silly and sometimes sad situations. My boyfriend doesn't usually enjoy what he terms as "girly" movies but he loved this one. In other words, this film is not only a "chick flick" but a good comedy that many people can enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: Amazing Movie
Review: This movie was amazing! I can see why Renee Zellweger was nominated for an Oscar. It is a hilarious comedy, based on Pride and Prejudice. Perhaps Bridget's character is not like Elizabeth Bennett very much, but Mark Darcy is Mr. Darcy. A great adaptation of a classic into a contemporary movie
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