Bridget Jones: The Edge Of Reason
Now here's a rare thing indeed: A romantic comedy that isn't a straight meeting-problem-resolution-happy ending; an actress that can do slapstick; modern slapstick that's actually funny; and most amazing of all, a genuinely funny chick-flick.
Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, film of the sequel to the book, is rather a good romp. Hugh Grant gets to play cool sleazeball, instead of charming twit, Colin Firth gets to play powerful perfect-catch, instead of charming twit, and Renée Zellweger gets to play two helpings of charming twit with a side of skwinky eyes. Amazingly, she's capable of turning first-rate slapstick performance, and she bumbles through it all quite merrily, making the most of some good material and winning the audience along the way.
Not to say it's not without downsides. This film wins both first and second place in the "Most demeaning use of a homosexual for a cheap laugh" awards, as well as scooping the award for "Most charming portrayal of squalour since Annie" for the comedy adventures in a Taiwanese jail1. There's also a cover of an Elton John song which even hardener Elton-haters will agree, proves that he sang it best.
That aside, it's nice to see a good romantic comedy stretching a fair way beyond the mould - most of the material isn't about losing/winning back your man.
It's also quite nice to see a cinema 90% packed with women that In Style magazine would thoroughly approve of. As Bowie would say, "Fashion - Beep Beep!"
All in all, a good evening out, folks.
1 Amnesty International ought to be up in arms.
In an update, it turns out that the director of this movie was Beeban Kidron. Not a name that means much to me, except that he directed "To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar", a film which my flatmate Brian and I have fond memories of.
And one day, you will tell us all why....
I might. But for now that's between you, me, and the electrons...
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