Rent Bridget Jones's Diary (2001)

Great Comedy - Watch It At Christmas - Bridget Jones's Diary review by GI

Whilst not exactly a Christmas themed film it is nevertheless a great watch over the Christmas season with the film bookended by scenes set in the winter. Basically a witty and cleverly scripted comedy of manners adapted from the bestselling novel by Helen Fielding who co-scripted with Richard Curtis. The story homages Pride & Prejudice even giving the main male character the name D'Arcy and of course it's a sharp exploration of modern relationship struggles. The casting of American actress Renée Zellweger as the titular Bridget raised some eyebrows considering that she is quintessentially English but doubters soon saw that she is excellent in the role even gaining an Academy award nomination, in fact its nigh impossible to imagine anyone else in the role. Bridget is a thirty something woman, single, despairing of ever finding true love and sinks into the depression of over eating, smoking and drinking. He snobby mother (Gemma Jones) is always trying to pair her up with the sons of her friends including the very serious Mark D'Arcy (Colin Firth) who Bridget considers rude and cold. However she does fancy her boss Daniel (Hugh Grant in a brilliant performance as a real cad). Coincidentally Mark and Daniel hate one another for reasons that become a key plot point. Bridget is socially inept but deep down a warm and quite lovely character. All this cues a hilarious relationship comedy that uses parties as the conduit for people to meet, bond or re-evaluate their opinions of each other. The novel is a modern classic (well worth reading if you haven't) and this adaptation is a superb comedy that nails it's themes very accurately. A joy to watch over Christmas.