The film "Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason," based on Helen Fielding's novel of the same title, recreates a chick-flick centered around the pudgy, chain-smoking, lank-haired and clumsy Bridget Jones.
"The Edge of Reason," the second of two films based on Jones, is jam-packed with cookie-cutter awkwardness and embarrassment. A jealous Bridget (played by a hopelessly adorable Renee Zellweger) often bursts in on her human rights lawyer boyfriend Mark Darcy (played by a charmingly bumbling yet sophisticated Colin Firth) briefing the Secretaries of the Treasuries of foreign countries on important legal matters while she is either soaking wet or peppered with leaves and twigs. And of course, the peculiar life of Ms. Jones would not be complete without skiing mishaps, mistaken arrests on trumped-up drug charges, Madonna plugs or attempted seductions by the unctuous Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant).
Although the various plot twists in "The Edge of Reason" make for giggling theatergoers, very few of them actually make any sort of sense. All of these completely random and mostly illegal activities take place, oddly enough, overseas.
New broadcast journalist Jones, after her potentially embarrassing antics during a skydiving story were applauded by the big shots upstairs, became co-star of a popular new travel show with, all too coincidentally, her former boss and ex-lover Cleaver. The first episode that she hosts features Thailand, and thus Bridget packs up her life as a London bachelorette for an unbelievably ridiculous jaunt in the Far East.The acting in "The Edge of Reason" is surprisingly well done for a chick flick, as the three primary characters are played by the popular and relatively prolific Zellweger, Firth and Grant. Other cast highlights include Shirley Henderson as the black-bobbed pale-faced Jude (familiar for her ghoulish appearance as Moaning Myrtle in the Harry Potter films); Jacinda Barrett as Mark Darcy's svelte colleague Rebecca; Gemma Jones as Bridget's ostentatious busybody of a mum and Jim Broadbent as Bridget's reluctant and goofy dad.
"The Edge of Reason" feels distinctly English, thanks to the spot-on costumes (Jany Temime) and sets (Anna Lynch Robinson). The smattering of British slang words and phrases"among them "shag," "knickers," "sodding" and "sticky wicket" included by Fielding and co-screenwriters Andrew Davies, Richard Curtis and Adam Brooks make for an even more authentic feel.
Though the plot bounces around unnecessarily between ecstasy and desperation, as well as all over the globe, "Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason" is a funny movie that follows up its 2001 prequel well. "The Edge of Reason" is a cutesy film, but don't walk in the theatre expecting anything deep.
"Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason" (108 minutes) is rated R for language and some sexual content.
Joanna Pinto-Coelho. Things you should know about Joanna: 1) She likes to eat bagel lox, her grandma's carrot cake, her mommy's chocolate chip cookies and filet mignon (medium rare). 2) She is half-Brazilian. 3) She is a gainfully employed member of the American workforce. 4) She will … More »
No comments.
Please ensure that all comments are mature and responsible; they will go through moderation.