Bridget Jones's Diary

Name: Bridget Jones's Diary
Genre: Drama, Comedy, Romance
Released: April 13, 2001
Duration: 97 min
Rating: 66
Cast: Colin Firth, Renée Zellweger

2001

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 33 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 189 Ratings

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8.3

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8.3	User Score Universal acclaim based on 189 Ratings

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Bridget Jones's Diary

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Movie Details & Credits

Miramax Films | Release Date: April 13, 2001 | R

Starring: Colin Firth, Renée Zellweger

Summary: At the start of the New Year, 32-year-old Bridget (Zellweger) decides it's time to take control of her life -- and start keeping a diary. Now, the most provocative, erotic and hysterical book on her bedside table is the one she's writing. [Miramax]

Director: Sharon Maguire

Genre(s): Drama, Comedy, Romance

Rating: R

Runtime: 97 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Carla Meyer

A triumph for all involved. Read full review

Michael Wilmington

The Zellweger-Firth-Grant triangle works as irresistibly as Hepburn-Grant-Stewart in "The Philadelphia Story."

Jeff Giles

She's (Zellweger) so disarming and so deeply Bridget -- gliding between mortifying slapstick and pathos -- that she's entirely won you over by the time the credits have rolled. The opening credits.

Lisa Schwarzbaum

Bridget's most attractive asset is that she's played by Renée Zellweger. Read full review

Lawrence Toppman

95 breezy minutes that typify cotton-candy filmmaking. Read full review

Film.com Robert Horton

The movie gives us episodes from her life, and although some of them are charming and all of them well-played, I occasionally found myself wondering why I should want to be interested in this person. Read full review

New Times (L.A.) Gregory Weinkauf

The urge to laugh is superceded by the urge to slap everybody and command them to stop embarrassing all of humanity. Read full review

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User Reviews

lukechristiansc

Mar 29, 2016

One of the most cliche'd romantic comedies I've seen, but it's a great film adaptation to the source material but the screenplay written by Helen Fielding (based on her novel she works on the screenplay), Andrew Davies and Richard Curtis (Notting Hill, Four Weddings and a Funeral) is superOne of the most cliche'd romantic comedies I've seen, but it's a great film adaptation to the source material but the screenplay written by Helen Fielding (based on her novel she works on the screenplay), Andrew Davies and Richard Curtis (Notting Hill, Four Weddings and a Funeral) is super charming and is spiking wit also is cheerful, the script and Sharon Maguire's direction work perfectly together. Renee Zellweger couldn't be more perfect to play Bridget Jones, she outshines the material. Renee Zellweger plays Bridget Jones, a 32 year old decides it's time she takes control of her life by keeping a diary. She's a heavy-drinking heavy-smoking, who works in publishing, is torn between Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant) and Mark Darcy (Colin Firth) who is introduced to Bridget in a god-awful sweater. Bridget's mother (Gemma Jones) has left her husband (Jim Broadbent) for a TV huckster. Despite it's cliche's it has a intelligent screenplay and three great performances by Zellweger, Firth and Grant. 5 out of 5 stars… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

KimR.

Oct 14, 2001

"Bridget Jones's Diary" was hilarious!

0 of 0 users found this helpful

RachelL.

Mar 1, 2006

This was a brilliant film! i thought it was hilerious! ive bought the box set of the first one, the second one, and also the missing bits too!

0 of 0 users found this helpful

EpicLadySponge

Apr 6, 2016

You know, diaries are overrated. Let's just not think about them and go home.... however, when I read this upcoming, I never expected it to be that great anyways.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

ahmedaiman1999

Mar 20, 2020

Zellweger's electrifying and charming performance as the quirky and awkward titular heroine single-handedly made me, at least for a moment, think that this conventional and predictable rom-com is way more witty than it actually is. I mean, I didn't expect to sympathize with such a characterZellweger's electrifying and charming performance as the quirky and awkward titular heroine single-handedly made me, at least for a moment, think that this conventional and predictable rom-com is way more witty than it actually is. I mean, I didn't expect to sympathize with such a character as I did. What really infuriate me is that I don't think this film needed to be that silly and schmaltzy at all. It had potential to be worthy of Zellweger's exceptional performance if it ignored the conventions of its sub-genre and the unnecessary, redundant twists near the end. Actually, I think it would have been much better if it had leaned towards being dramatic than farcically comedic. Regardless, it's still a delightful and endearing film. And, to be honest, I love it just as it is!

(7/10)… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Spangle

Sep 28, 2016

Having seen him in many film roles over the years, I am thoroughly convinced that Hugh Grant will only accept roles in which he can shag, at minimum, two women. Anything short and Mr. Grant will not even consider taking that role. As it stands, Bridget Jones's Diary (is that gramaticallyHaving seen him in many film roles over the years, I am thoroughly convinced that Hugh Grant will only accept roles in which he can shag, at minimum, two women. Anything short and Mr. Grant will not even consider taking that role. As it stands, Bridget Jones's Diary (is that gramatically correct?) finds him in typical charismatic, playboy footing as Daniel Cleaver, one of the love interests fighting for the heart of Bridget Jones (Renee Zellweger). The other, far more settled contender is none other than Mark Darcy (Colin Firth). A British woman's fantasy come true, the film is a truly entertaining comedy with a killer script, good characters, and quality adherence to rom-com formula.

With terrific casting, the film is already blessed from the get go as Zellweger is terrific and perfect for the role of the not quite beautiful, yet certainly far from ugly Bridget who is single at age 32. Somehow, she manages to find her way in the middle of a love triangle. If only I could find myself in this position at age 32 with two beautiful British actresses (maybe a little old for me at the moment, but I will certainly accept Keira Knightley squaring off with Carey Mulligan...just saying). As the more stable and clearly better candidate, Firth is his typically classy and stoic self, which is perfect for the character of Darcy. Given the misinformation we are given about Darcy at the beginning, it makes the reveal of his true nature make all the more sense. We all knew that there was no way Darcy could be a jerk because Firth played him. In this way, the film kind of shows its hand with some pretty solid typecasting, though the acting is good I could care less. As the charismatic Daniel Cleaver, Hugh Grant is terrifically devilish. Somehow, you find yourself wanting Bridget to get back with him just because it is Hugh Grant. No shame.

The film may adhere very closely to romantic comedy formula, yet it is a terrific example of a well-written script in this area. I always feel the need to defend the scripts of these romantic comedies since people often write them off without seeing the film. About Time, Crazy, Stupid, Love, The Devil Wears Prada, Easy A, and 10 Things I Hate About You, being certain examples of this. Yes, they are aimed at women. Yes, they are cheesy. However, they also perfectly execute the rom-com formula. With likable characters, likable partners, and strong character development, Bridget Jones may be incredibly cliche and overly romantic for manly men, but it has what many cliche films miss. The only problem with cliche is when the film using it misses the essence of the cliche. Just having two people kiss does not make it effective. Having two people fall in love does not make it effective. Rather, having there be passion, emotion, chemistry, relatability, and heart makes it effective. Many films that use cliches often miss this. Yet, thanks to strong writing, Bridget's anguish and loneliness becomes your own. Thus, when she finds her man, you swoon. It makes you care and want to smile right along with her.

Comedically, Bridget Jones does find some faults due to an over-reliance on cringe comedy. It causes me physical pain and is not my style. Putting the protagonist in such awkward positions it makes me have to look away from the screen is not funny. Though the film can be cute and charming with its comedy for the most part, there are a few too many scenes deeply reliant on making me cringe, which is an absolute shame.

An undeniable piece of pop cinema infused with late 90s/early 00s pop music that makes you want to dance in your seat, Bridget Jones's Diary is a truly enjoyable romantic comedy with likable characters and a romance you care about. Plus, who among us has not indulged in overly enthusiastic singing of our favorite songs behind closed doors? It is certainly worth noting that Renee Zellweger's air guitar skills were on point.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

CurySupreme

Jul 16, 2019

The first 20 minutes were unbearable. I wanted to smash everything in my reach. The jokes were made to embarrass one of the main characters (especially Bridget) and the ending is forseeavle and lame. Picked up some pace in the middle though, which made it less bad.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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71	#71 Most Discussed Movie of 2001
48	#48 Most Shared Movie of 2001