The weight is back on, which is good news for fans of Bridget Jones, the tart-tongued British scamp. Having gotten to a pleasingly plump level for “Bridget Jones’s Diary” in 2001, Renee Zellweger then returned to her usual teeny self – little suspecting, perhaps, that the movie’s success made a sequel inevitable.
“Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason” is, like the first film, based on a book by Helen Fielding. Fielding’s title character is a young Londoner who keeps obsessive track of her weight, her cigarette intake, and her busy social life.
In the 2001 movie, Bridget found true happiness with stolid, reliable Mark Darcy (Colin Firth). Never again would she make the mistake of falling for the come-ons of heartless flirt Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant).
Well, something has to happen in the sequel, and happily ever after won’t cut it. So the blissful union of Bridget and Mark must be shaken – in the form of Bridget’s jealousy and Mark’s humorlessness.
Personally, I was rooting for them to break up. Mark was an acceptable catch in the first movie, but here, despite Colin Firth’s best efforts, he doesn’t do anything except act alternately embarrassed and enchanted by Bridget’s antics.
On the other hand, Daniel Cleaver is still a snake, a rotter, a blackguard. In other words, a very good character to have around, and a very good reason to enshrine Hugh Grant in the Cad Hall of Fame. The nastier Grant gets, the more fun he is.
“The Edge of Reason” tends to repeat Bridget’s greatest hits, from the Christmas jumpers (sweaters, for us Americans) to her mortifying on-camera mistakes to the big silly fistfight between the two foppish Englishmen.
And when it tries to do something different, it stumbles. A long section in which Bridget is thrown into prison in Thailand is indeed pushing the edge of reason.
Beeban Kidron directs this in a slapdash style, relying on her attractive cast (the main players from the first film are back) and the dreadfully overactive collection of familiar soundtrack hits. It lacks the fresh charm of the original, but isn’t bad as a video rental for fans.
Renee Zellweger has a keen grasp of where the comedy lies in each scene. Whether trying to order a pregnancy test in German (“Ich bin mit bebe”) or leaving a ditsy message on Mark’s answering machine, she brings a deft, adorable touch.
The character feels a little more adorable than her initial literary conception, in fact. But Zellweger’s fun to watch despite the overall sense of sag.
Renee Zellweger is still adorable in “Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason.”
“Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason” HH
Sequel sag: A sequel finds ditsy Bridget (Renee Zellweger) breaking up with boyfriend Mark (Colin Firth), only to be foolishly tempted by that rotter Daniel (Hugh Grant in prime form). There’s a general sense of sag, but Zellweger is still adorable.
Rated: R rating is for language, subject matter.
Now showing: tk
“Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason” HH
Sequel sag: A sequel finds ditsy Bridget (Renee Zellweger) breaking up with boyfriend Mark (Colin Firth), only to be foolishly tempted by that rotter Daniel (Hugh Grant in prime form). There’s a general sense of sag, but Zellweger is still adorable.
Rated: R rating is for language, subject matter.
Now showing: Alderwood, Mountlake, Meridian, Metro, Oak Tree, Woodinville.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
