Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason


Not a whole lot needs to be said about this movie. After reading and loving both the books (I loved the sharpness of her observations, the humour and the warmth with which she brought Bridget to life) and adoring Bridget in the first movie, it was a given that I'd be seeing it. I would have seen it somewhat earlier if Hamilton movie theatres didn't abandon cheap Tuesdays whenever they thought they could get away with charging full price by calling a movie a "blockbuster". I guess others do the same, so all power to Downtown Cinema 8 in Palmerston North - $6 for every movie, every Tuesday. I took advantage of that this week by watching Garden State, but that's another story.

I have noticed that the critics have laid into the movie for its "gratuitous" Thailand scenes and for essentially re-telling the story of the first film. Maybe they have forgotten the minor detail of Helen Fielding's book which underpins the movie: its a fair while since I read it but as far as I recall, the movie is a fair representation of the book. And, when it comes down to it, the film retells the storyline of every romantic comedy ever told. We start all happy, 71 shags into the relationship, then there is some trouble that tears them apart (a fight over nothing, Daniel, a Thai jail), a denouement and resolution. So, you go along to such a movie and just enjoy the ride, without thinking too closely about it because that is so not the point. I think my favourite point was when it was revealed just how much Mark Darcy had done to get Bridget released from prison, made doubly nice by his telling her not to thank him, he was just the messenger and triply nice by the fact that as far as he knew, she was intent upon shacking up with Daniel Cleaver and never seeing him again. That's love.

I guess there is one small problem with the movie that becomes apparent if you do think about it. Take Bridget: according to her self-perception and the premise of the movie, she is neurotic, completely useless at a useless sort of job and has tendencies towards fatness, laziness, unattractiveness and a lack of self discipline. Then there is Mark - highly intelligent, respected by world leaders, doing a save the world sort of job, good looking - a dream guy. So - what the hell is he doing with Bridget? If indeed there are leagues (and Giles is there to claim there are, and that Mark and his female colleague are out of his and Bridget's league), then she is completely over-reaching herself in having any expectation of being with Mark, let alone getting there. Hopefully it won't set up unrealistic expectations in anyone, although it has been fun watching my younger female friends discuss the movie: their one question seems to be "Mark or Daniel".