However, this movie was frankly ridiculous. I knew already that thenew film did not adhere to the second book so I didn't expect to bemaking comparisons. The problem with a sequel is that expectations are high - particularlyafter a film as successful and engaging as BJ1. "Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason" is lousystorytelling, rotten acting and awful film-making.
But tripe like Kidron's film gets widelyreleased a week early. The sad thing is some terrific independent films are struggling to bereleased wide right now. This is a great example of a filmbeing made because of star power and the need to make money, regardlessof whether it was good or funny. By the time we get to anexcruciatingly long and unfunny prison sequence featuring yet anothersorry moment that tries desperately to be funny - a chorus of Madonna's"Like a Virgin" - this film has gone so way off the tracks, there's nohope of it ever getting back on. This film is devoid of any novelty or humor. I don't know ifthe theater was to blame for this problem, but I suppose it was ablessing in disguise given how insipid much of the dialogue is. During two scenes - at theBangkok airport and an idiotic fight scene in a fountain - the musicwas so loud, it completely drowned out the dialogue. Every joke is telegraphed or straining to be funny.This utterly unnecessary movie seems, at times, like an extended musicvideo. It took four writers - Fielding, Andrew Davies, Richard Curtis and AdamBrooks - to write the drivel for this movie. Yet, they applauded at the end, as if they'd just discoveredtheir anthem film. At thescreening I attended, I sat next to four women who did not laugh -heck, I didn't hear even a chuckle from them throughout the entirefilm. The idea of laughing at a large, buxom lass while she pratfalls her waythrough a horrendous film must strike a chord with some women. Unfortunately, Zellweger's shtick is barely amusing and getstiresome very quickly. Withnothing genuinely funny to fall back on, director Beeban Kidron getsZellweger to simply waddle about the place trying to eke laughs out ofus. She's lost any semblance of intelligence. She's game, butgives quite possibly the worst performance of her career. The film relies completely on Zellweger's star power. You know this film's in trouble when Grantsimply slums it as a rake and Firth sputters about as if he's wonderinghow on earth he wound up agreeing to make this horrible picture. Although the sequel begins only four weeks after the original ended,Bridget, Darcy and Daniel have become caricatures of themselves. Although again based on Helen Fielding's novel,this has none of the original's wit or zip. I don't know if they're wholly to blame -they're stuck in a dud. The sequel squanders a tremendously talented cast, none of whom seemsto have a clue what to do. Daniel(Grant) was delightfully caddish, Darcy (Firth) properly funny. She wasplucky, resilient, but never a fool. Bridget(Zellweger) was normal, as were her dilemmas and crises. The 2001 original was funny and charming. Not when they've deluded themselves intobelieving that merely bringing back Renée Zellweger, Colin Firth, HughGrant and a few others would automatically make the sequel funny, too.They were wrong.
But the makers of "Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason" don't bother withsuch trivial matters. Subtitle Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reasonįirst rule of comedy: Be funny.