Movie Review by Susan Hodgetts
Starring: Renee Zellweger, Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, Jim Broadbent, Gemma Jones
Director: Beeban Kidron
Our dear, loveable Bridget is back to warm up the screen along with her bunch of eclectic friends, bizarre relatives and odd selection of Christmas jumpers.
Delightfully, the formula is exactly the same and all of the old gang return, plus some new faces, such as bad boy Jed (Paul Nicholls, a love interest for Sally Phillips’ character Shazzer). In fact the formula is so similar to the original there are even carbon copies of scenes, with just a change of location or a slight tweak of dialogue. But rather than being unoriginal, the next year in Bridget Jones’ diary is just as eventful and comfortable as ever, like a pair of cosy slippers.
The major difference of course though is that eternal singleton Bridget has found her man, Mark Darcy. But can she keep him? And if their relationship were to collapse, would she be daft enough to fall again for the sleazy charms of Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant), who’s now strangely joined the equally sleazy Sit Up Britain TV Channel as an exotic travel host? He immediately seems so at home….
Bridget once again keeps goggle-eyed boss Richard (Neil Pearson) entertained as her behind once more slides up and down on Sit Up Britain’s TV screen, whilst Darcy and Cleaver feature again in another hilarious confrontation. Much to my relief Bridget’s friends are in it more this time, a fault corrected from the original, especially the excellent Sally Phillips.
The only regrettable note in the movie is Bridget’s episode in a Thai prison, which not only slows the pace of the film and makes it drag but also suggests a chorus scene out of a school play.
Otherwise, you know what to expect and if you liked the first film you’ll love this one too. The big knickers are back, and they fit as well as ever.
