I didn’t have a movie of the week last week, (much to the irritation of my hundreds of thousands of readers) since I had family in town (which you can read about here!) So, this week I’m bringing you back to back posts on two classics: Bridget Jones’s Diary and Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason.
Bridget Jones’s Diary was released in 2001, and was based off Helen Fielding’s 1996 novel. I think the first time I watched this movie was maybe last summer … ? I then read the book (which I completely recommend, except probably before the movie) and loved it just as much.
So, what are your favorite parts from this classic movie? I love the beginning, in which Bridge first meets Mark Darcy (Colin Firth) and his infamous reindeer sweater. Seriously, I freaking LOVE Colin Firth (What a Girl Wants, Love Actually, Kingsmen are some of my favs) and he aces his performance in this movie too.
Speaking of ace performances, did you know Renee Zellweger was nominated for a freaking Oscar for her role as Bridget Jones? Since I was only thirteen when the movie came out, I’m sure I asked myself why she was nominated because it was a character I couldn’t relate to (hopefully my parents didn’t let me see the movie either). But now as I sit here and rewatch the opening credits and Zellweger is belting out “All by Myself,” I can clearly see (needing only about 7 minutes into the film to do so) why she WAS nominated.
If you know the plot, then you know Bridget is a 30-something, single woman who starts a diary to take control of her life and have goals for the new year (and if ya don’t know … now ya know!). She also is in a bit of a love triangle with Mark Darcy (Firth) and Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant).
Beyond Darcy’s reindeer sweater & Bridget singing alone in her apartment, I love the scene when Bridget is deciding what underwear to slip on under her dress one night because she knows there is a hookup possibility with Cleaver. Does she wear the sexy, black, lace thong in case she ends the night with him, or does she wear the big, wide, grannypannies that suck in her stomach?
What do you think she chooses?
Did I mention I absolutely ADORE Colin Firth (especially in this movie!)? Who remembers the scene when he unexpectedly runs into Bridget and tells her, “You let whatever’s in your head come out of your mouth without much consideration; perhaps, despite appearances, I like you, very much; just as you are” Swooon! Gah that’s the moment when you’re watching, you want to stand up and shout, “I’M. PERFECT. JUST. THE. WAY. I. AM. TOO!!”
I also loved Firth in the fight scene between Darcy & Cleaver in the snow with the song “It’s Raining Men” playing in the background (get. more. iconic!). They are fighting over Bridget (and probably over the animosity Darcy felt when his wife left him for his former BFF Cleaver – spoiler alert!). You can tell these two British “gentlemen” are not trained fighters and it makes for a laugh out loud brawl.
But, my favorite favorite overall scene is the snow scene in which Bridget and her friends are about to head to Paris and who shows up? My main man Firth aka Mr. Darcy. He comes to say he forgot to kiss her goodbye, she ditches her friends, Bridget & Darcy go upstairs, only for him to find her diary and see all the horrible things she wrote about him (BACK IN JUNE!) and he leaves, just takes off. Which of course leads her to run after him, in the snow, wearing only leopard underwear, a cami, sneakers, and a sweater … all while “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” is playing in the background.
Katy, it seems like they are breaking up, why would this be your all time favorite scene from the film? Because you find out he actually left not because he was mad, but TO BUY HER A FREAKING NEW JOURNAL!
She got her happily ever after afterall!
If you enjoy Bridget Jones as much as I do, please comment below or find me on social media to discuss! Put in your email in the top right corner to directly receive posts — I’ll be posting on the other two Bridget movies asap!
My Hollywood Hangover 