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Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (2004)
Rating: ***
Review: After feeling the seeds of disappointment after my first viewing, I had to watch this movie again. I needed to give it a second chance. Right after my second viewing, I felt a wave of relief. It was funnier than I remembered. And now, several days later, I have forgotten why. This movie seems to give me memory loss. All I remember are the failed attempts to recapture the warmth and humor of the first film. This time around, Bridget’s embarrassments seem much less realistic, like a series of bad dreams. Television: A fireman’s pole is replaced by a skydiving screw-up. Public embarrassment: A not-turned-on microphone incident becomes a loud gaffe that isolates her in front of Mark’s law partners. Daniel Cleaver: A naked American is instead a prostitute. I’ve seen this all before, and I liked it better the first time.
Meanwhile, I just love hearing cute British men say my name over and over. Colin Firth is still adorable, and Hugh Grant is still funny. Their fight scene should probably go on my list of "been there, done that," but I still enjoyed it. "I Believe In a Thing Called Love" amuses me more than “It’s Raining Men,” even though it (along with “Crazy In Love”) does not fit in with the music motif created in the first film and carried over into The Edge of Reason.
The change in the Rebecca character (Bridget’s competition for Mark’s attention) from the book version neatens up the plot, but that’s not always a good thing. This movie could have used some actual conflict instead of repeatedly placing Bridget in embarrassing situations. (Her hairdresser makes her look crazy, she falls off a ledge, she puts blush all over her face, she pretends she can ski when she can’t, etc.) Overall, I like this movie and the characters, but I don’t love it the way I do the first one.
Review: After feeling the seeds of disappointment after my first viewing, I had to watch this movie again. I needed to give it a second chance. Right after my second viewing, I felt a wave of relief. It was funnier than I remembered. And now, several days later, I have forgotten why. This movie seems to give me memory loss. All I remember are the failed attempts to recapture the warmth and humor of the first film. This time around, Bridget’s embarrassments seem much less realistic, like a series of bad dreams. Television: A fireman’s pole is replaced by a skydiving screw-up. Public embarrassment: A not-turned-on microphone incident becomes a loud gaffe that isolates her in front of Mark’s law partners. Daniel Cleaver: A naked American is instead a prostitute. I’ve seen this all before, and I liked it better the first time.
Meanwhile, I just love hearing cute British men say my name over and over. Colin Firth is still adorable, and Hugh Grant is still funny. Their fight scene should probably go on my list of "been there, done that," but I still enjoyed it. "I Believe In a Thing Called Love" amuses me more than “It’s Raining Men,” even though it (along with “Crazy In Love”) does not fit in with the music motif created in the first film and carried over into The Edge of Reason.
The change in the Rebecca character (Bridget’s competition for Mark’s attention) from the book version neatens up the plot, but that’s not always a good thing. This movie could have used some actual conflict instead of repeatedly placing Bridget in embarrassing situations. (Her hairdresser makes her look crazy, she falls off a ledge, she puts blush all over her face, she pretends she can ski when she can’t, etc.) Overall, I like this movie and the characters, but I don’t love it the way I do the first one.
I finished reading the book this morning, and I actually laughed out loud, which is a rarity. Of course, I'm an English major, so the only fun I get out of literature during the school year is a smile at a Shakespeare character... oh my goodness. How sad.
I forgot to thank you for the dyslexic ghost card. I love it! I've begun using it as a bookmark. :)
And you're welcome for the ghost card. :)
That's the kind of movie I like to watch at home, anyway. I get all squirmy when I see Bridget humiliated.
Can you make me that same icon with different guys? I would absolutely give you credit. And chocolate.