Bridget Jones's Diary, movie for the Bridget Jones series (2001)
image © Universal Studios (Comcast) & StudioCanal (Vivendi) & Miramax
Article updated: 2022.06.08
The Bridget Jones's Diary (2001) is a romantic drama film. The movie was reviewed by Kadmon.
Product: Bridget Jones's Diary, movie for the Bridget Jones series (2001)
Original title: Bridget Jones's Diary
Series: Bridget Jones series
Previous entries in the series: -
Other adaptations of the story: -
Setting: contemporary Earth
Product type: Film, Genre: romantic drama, Style: romantic, drama
Release: Premiere: 2001.04.04, Release: 2001.04.13
Reviewer: Kadmon, Type: Male, 40s, Preferences: Immersive, logical story, consistent setting, prefers surprises to spoilers, prefers establishing elements before referencing them
Watched: very recent (2022.05), first time
Rating: Average (2 out of 3 points), Enjoyment: Weak (2- out of 3 points)
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This is my review of Bridget Jones's Diary, a romantic drama movie for the Bridget Jones series from 2001. It's about an unlikeable woman trying hard to get into a relationship with unlikeable guys. The Bridget Jones's Diary film is watchable, but I only recommend it to avid fans of romantic movies.
If you'd like to be surprised by the Bridget Jones's Diary film, I don't recommend you to watch the trailer beyond 0:47, because it gives away too much of the plot.
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Review (spoiler-free) - Bridget Jones's Diary, movie (2001)
I was aware of the movie, I knew it was based on some novels, but I was not really interested in it. I was convinced to watch the movie. I didn't watch the trailer, but I knew some basics of the storyline.
The Bridget Jones's Diary movie is about an unlikeable woman trying hard to get into a relationship with unlikeable guys.
The story is mostly okay, although it takes some detours that are not essential parts of the story. The consistency is otherwise fine. I'm not sure there are character arcs. I didn't find major logical problems in the plot, only in the dramatic structure.
The cinematography is okay, although it's not very interesting visually. It's set in a typical urban setting.
We don't really get to know the characters, not even the main protagonist, even though the story is narrated through her. The actors portray these characters fine.
The music (by Patrick Doyle) is okay. The chosen soundtrack was also good.
Bridget Jones's Diary is a watchable romantic drama, that I think only select fans of the genre would enjoy.
My experience
I was not satisfied with Bridget Jones's Diary (2001). I prefer stories with interesting characters, or at least interesting twists, and Bridget Jones's Diary couldn't deliver that.
Rating: Average (2 out of 3 points). Bridget Jones's Diary is a watchable film.
Enjoyment: Weak (2- out of 3 points). Bridget Jones's Diary is not very interesting, I couldn't get attached to the characters.
Rewatchability: I'm not sure. I think it's mostly the twists of the story that makes you feel interested, but I can imagine that some people might get attached to the story.
Chance of watching it again: No.
Chance of watching a sequel: Low. I'm not really interested in watching it.
Bridget Jones's Diary, movie for the Bridget Jones series (2001)
image © Universal Studios (Comcast) & StudioCanal (Vivendi) & Miramax
Will you enjoy this?
If you like romantic movies, you might like Bridget Jones's Diary.
If you'd like to get comedic moments in your movies, Bridget Jones's Diary will give you some.
If you can get through the first half hour of the movie still interested, the rest of the film will be something similar.
If you enjoyed the Pride and Prejudice novel (1813), or the Pride and Prejudice film (1995), you might be interested in this story.
If you don't mind unlikeable protagonists in your movies, you may enjoy this.
If you prefer visuals over story, Bridget Jones's Diary won't show you anything exciting.
If you hate romantic stories, you should probably avoid this movie.
If you hate comedy stories, this movie will be probably safe, because it's not very humorous.
If you hate depiction of alcohol consumption and alcoholic protagonist, this movie is not for you.
If you hate depiction of smoking and heavy smoker protagonist, don't watch this film.
Do you need to read the original novel / see the original film / play to enjoy this?
I didn't read the novel, but I didn't enjoy this movie. I assume there's additional depth for the characters in the novel.
Do you need to see the other films in the series to enjoy this?
I have no clue. The movie felt complete for me.
Watching for plot points
If you are interested in romantic stories, it might be worth watching the Bridget Jones's Diary movie for the plot points, as many people like it for some reason.
Should you watch this on your own screen at home, or is it worth going to the cinema?
You'll probably get a similar experience either way.
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Bridget Jones's Diary, movie for the Bridget Jones series (2001)
image © Universal Studios (Comcast) & StudioCanal (Vivendi) & Miramax
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Review with spoilers - Bridget Jones's Diary, movie (2001)
I didn't like the Bridget Jones's Diary movie.
Cover
The covers of the movie are okay.
The trailer
The trailer spoils major parts of the movie.
If you prefer spoilers, it's a great trailer for the Bridget Jones's Diary film. If you prefer to avoid spoilers, it will ruin the movie for you.
Promise of the first scene
A single woman goes to celebrate Christmas with her family, expecting that her mother will try to hook her up with some boring guy. I assume that indeed something will happen between these two, the story will be about how they get together.
Execution: Well, yeah, they got together, but the promise was somewhat misleading, as immediately after she met this guy, she got together with another guy, making us watch a lot longer story than it was necessary.
Bridget Jones's Diary, movie for the Bridget Jones series (2001)
image © Universal Studios (Comcast) & StudioCanal (Vivendi) & Miramax
Plot summary / Synopsis
The setting
Contemporary Earth, with some fantasy elements. In this world, window panels are made of safety glass, that don't hurt people falling through them.
Plot points of interests
The were a couple of characters in the story.
Characters
Bridget Jones: An average woman who has problems with her overweight, smoking and alcoholism. She is not very clever, and doesn't have good social abilities. At the beginning of the story, she is attracted to Daniel Cleaver.
Daniel Cleaver: The boss of Bridget Jones. He uses Bridget sexually.
Mark Darcy: A childhood neighbour of Bridget Jones. He is attracted to Bridget Jones, although he is not attracted to her bad habits and stupid behaviour. He is bad at communicating his feelings.
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Bridget Jones's Diary, movie for the Bridget Jones series (2001)
image © Universal Studios (Comcast) & StudioCanal (Vivendi) & Miramax
Analysis of the story - Bridget Jones's Diary, movie (2001)
I didn't like the story. The lack of likeable characters with relatable problems prevented me from enjoying Bridget Jones's Diary.
The message of the story
I'm not sure there's one. "Even if you are stupid and unlikeable woman, you can still find a relationship with an acceptable mate."
The structure of the story
The scenes of the Bridget Jones's Diary film are played in sequence, following the same storyline.
There's a single viewpoint character, Bridget Jones.
It has a slightly twisted arc of the dramatic structure - introduction, an overly long action part with unnecessary twists, sudden resolution.
Parallels with other stories
There are many intentional references in the Bridget Jones's Diary film to Pride and Prejudice (1813).
Fan-service
Scenes and elements from previous films:
Pride and Prejudice (1995)
- Andrew Davies is the screenwriter for both
- Colin Firth plays Mr. Darcy in both
- Crispin Bonham-Carter also appeared in both
Things I liked
Problematic elements
Unlikeable characters: Not a single character was a nice person. Some of them had some redeeming qualities, but they were stupid, egoistic, often narcistic people that I couldn't get attached to, making me less interested in their fates.
Diary data: We get data about her weight and consumption, but if you don't take notes, you can't compare it to previous data, so it won't become an information. I would have liked it if the creators included comparisons "I'm 55 kg, that's 4 kg less than last month!", or something like that.
Falling through the window: That part felt very unrealistic, a falling through the window would have ended the fight in the emergency room.
Getting together with the boss: Based on the promise, the story is about how Bridget got together with Darcy. The whole side-plot with the boss was unnecessary for this, it felt like a filler for me.
Unanswered questions
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Possibilities of improvement
How it could have been better?
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How does it compare to the other works of the creators?
I haven't seen any other movies from the writer (Helen Fielding).
From the writer (Andrew Davies), I've seen The Three Musketeers (2011), that was disappointingly mediocre. The Bridget Jones movie was slightly better than that.
From the writer (Richard Curtis), I've seen a lot of his works, and all of them were better than this one. I'd still recommend watching the movies he has written.
I haven't seen any other works of the director (Sharon Maguire). I'm not entirely satisfied with the movie.
How does it compare to the original source?
I didn't read the original novel, so it's hard to compare. I've heard excerpts of it in audio, that sounded similar in style to the movie.
How does it compare to the other films in the series?
I don't know, I haven't seen any of the sequels yet.
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Behind the scenes
Thoughts about the reviews of others
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Bridget Jones's Diary, movie for the Bridget Jones series (2001)
image © Universal Studios (Comcast) & StudioCanal (Vivendi) & Miramax
Uses for the film - Bridget Jones's Diary, movie (2001)
Plot
- Set in a contemporary setting.
- A middle-aged person (woman) wants to be in a relationship.
- A person (woman) is introduced by an acquaintance (family member) to a person of the other sex, in order to get them together.
- A person (woman) starts a sexual relationship with their superior (man).
- A person (woman) finds it out that their partner (man) is cheating on them.
Scenes
- The party scenes could be used to depict parties.
Designs
Scenario ideas - Role-playing game scenario ideas
Scenario ideas - Wargame scenario ideas
Sneak through: One side has an agent (or a number of agents) that has to get through an area - to reach safety, meet an informer, or be allowed to use some device. The other side also has some counter-agents who want to distract the agents. The counter-agent player sets up the playing area, and deploys some passers-by, then deploys the counter-agents randomly around the middle half of playing area, outside of the edges where the agent enters and leaves. Then the agent player deploys their model on one edge of the playing area, and makes the first move. The neutral models don't move, they stay at their places. Neither side is allowed to use weapons, as they are in a peaceful urban area. The agent can touch neutrals during their move, but has to stay at least one stand away from the counter-agents. If a counter-agent touches the agent, both of them stop, and start a conversation / inspection. At the beginning of the next turn, roll a skill test or a 1-3 on d6. Success means that the agent is able to get away, and move again, but the counter-agent can't move that turn (they take notes, or report to their superiors). If a counter-agent touches a neutral model, they stop, and have a conversation / inspection for that turn. At the beginning of each turn, both players roll a d6, and move that many neutrals for up to half of a regular movement. A neutral model can only by moved by one of the players in one turn. If a neutral model gets in touch with a counter-agent this way, it also stops their movement for that turn. If the counter-agent is in contact with the agent, while a neutral touches the counter-agent, the agent also gets free without rolling any tests. The agent wins if they get to the opposing edge of the playing area in X turns. The counter-agents win if they slow the agent enough that the agent arrives there in 2X turns. (To find X, measure how many unopposed moves would the agent require to reach the other side. Multiply it by 2.)
Safe place (harder for the agent): The agent has to reach a specific place on the opposing edge, and only that part counts as a safe destination.
Secret friend (easier for the agent): The agent player has one (or more) friendly models, deployed randomly on the playing area. After moving the neutral models, the agent player can also move the secret friend models, whom otherwise act as neutrals. The counter-agent player can't control secret friend models, but they can stop them for one turn if they get into contact.
Weapons allowed: The agent is allowed to attack the counter-agents. After this, the counter-agents are also allowed to use their own weapons against the agent. Both sides can only carry small or non-suspicious weapons (daggers, clubs, pistols). After the first attack, the counter-agents don't have to stop when they touch a neutral. If there are Secret friends in play, they also carry weapons, but the counter-agents don't know this until they start to use them. After a Secret friend uses a weapon, they also become targets. After the first attack, the counter-agent player roll 2d6 for moving neutrals, they have to choose the models closest to the agent model, and they all have to move with double speed towards the closest edge of the playing area. Both side gets minus points for harming the bystanders.
Fight at a public place: The enemy sides meet at a public place. The players set up the playing area with groups of innocent bystanders. Place a building in the middle half of the playing area, with multiple entrances. Place one fighting force at the inside edge of one of the sides, and the opposing force on the edge of the opposite side. There are dangerous obstacles in the area (glass panels, crystal spikes, acidic webs, steam vents), that damage the models going though them. The side that knocks the leader of the other force out is the winner. Both side gets minus points for harming the bystanders.
Miniatures - 1/50-1/60 (28-32mm scale)
Civilians: Human-sized (S3) modern (advanced) human female / male civilian.
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Similar stories - Bridget Jones's Diary, movie (2001)
Novels
Helen Fielding: Bridget Jones's Diary (1996): The novel the movie was based on.
Helen Fielding: Bridget Jones 2: The Edge of Reason (1999): The sequel to the Bridget Jones's Diary novel.
Helen Fielding: Bridget Jones 3: Mad About the Boy (2013): The sequel to the Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason novel.
Graphic novels
Movies
Bridget Jones 2: The Edge of Reason (2004): The sequel to the Bridget Jones's Diary film.
Bridget Jones 3: Bridget Jones's Baby (2016): The sequel to the Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason film.
Pride and Prejudice (1995): This was the main inspirations for the story.
TV series & episodes
Computer games
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Frequently asked questions - Bridget Jones's Diary, movie (2001)
Is the Bridget Jones's Diary film based on a book or comics?
Yes, Bridget Jones's Diary is based on the Bridget Jones's Diary novel by Helen Fielding.
Is the Bridget Jones's Diary film a remake or reboot?
No, the Bridget Jones's Diary film is neither a remake nor a reboot.
Is there a post credit scene in Bridget Jones's Diary? Does Bridget Jones's Diary have end credit scenes? Does Bridget Jones's Diary have a post credit scene?
No, there's no post credit scene in Bridget Jones's Diary.
Where can I see Bridget Jones's Diary? What is Bridget Jones's Diary playing on? What streaming service is Bridget Jones's Diary on? Where can I watch Bridget Jones's Diary online? Is Bridget Jones's Diary available on Netflix? Is Bridget Jones's Diary on Amazon?
As of 2022.05.09, Bridget Jones's Diary is available on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, HBO Max, Microsoft Movies, Vudu, YouTube.
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Resources - Bridget Jones's Diary, movie (2001)
Official
Miramax: Bridget Jones's Diary: Official article.
Information
IMDB: Bridget Jones's Diary (2001): Database article.
WikiPedia: Bridget Jones's Diary: Database article.
Letterboxd: Bridget Jones's Diary 2001: Database article.
Rotten Tomatoes: Bridget Jones's Diary 2001: Database article.
TVTropes: Literature / Bridget Jones aka: Bridget Jones Diary: Database article.
Creation
: Concept art article.¤
Reviews with no spoilers - Bridget Jones's Diary film (2001)
: Review video about the Bridget Jones's Diary film with no spoilers.¤
Reviews with spoilers - Bridget Jones's Diary film (2001)
: Review article of the Bridget Jones's Diary movie, with spoilers. Includes a very detailed plot summary.¤
Analysis - Bridget Jones's Diary movie (2001)
: Analysis video, explaining the finale of Bridget Jones's Diary.¤
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Buying the product - Bridget Jones's Diary, movie (2001)
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Have you seen the Bridget Jones's Diary film for the Bridget Jones series? How do you like the movie? Would you recommend it to others? Do you know reviews or resources you'd like to add? What further thoughts do you have about it? Tell your opinion in the comments!
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