TheLittleSongbird 'Bridget Jones's Diary' was an immensely enjoyable film. It had a lot going for it, and succeeded on almost every level. It didn't cover much new ground and didn't break any conventions, but it was warm, charming, hugely funny and sometimes poignant, with a great cast.When hearing that there was a sequel, there were mixed feelings. Admittedly, did question the point of it and was worried as to whether it would be as good considering the general reputation of sequels (though there are a lot of exceptions that are as good and nearly better). On the other hand, was more than willing to give 'Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason' the benefit of the doubt, considering the same people were on board, cast and crew, who did such a great job in 'Bridget Jones's' Diary.My feelings after 'Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason' were that of real disappointment. It is not as terrible as many have said and there are far worse sequels around, at least it has things that salvage it from being worse, but what worked so well in 'Bridget Jones's' Diary' didn't here. Always try and judge sequels on their own terms and try not to compare, but it is hard not to when there is such a significant drop in quality, of which 'Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason' is a big step down.There are redeeming qualities. 'Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason' is attractive visually in a film that doesn't require epic sweeping cinematography or opulence, but still manages to be beautifully shot, cohesively edited and have striking locations. There are a few amusing moments, but they are too far and between.Regarding the cast, they do do well with what they are given, although their material is nowhere near as good they are hardly slumming it and do try to be true to how they were previously. Renee Zellwegger's performance is not as good here, but her accent is still game and she does try to bring out the funny, adorably awkward and sympathetic sides of her character when the material allows it. Hugh Grant still plays his caddish character with smarmy charm, while Colin Firth is understated and likable in a role tailor-made for him, practically as if it was written with him in mind.However, Bridget is far too much of a parody and a butt of the joke here, making it, for all of Zellwegger's good efforts, difficult to feel sorry for or feel pity towards her. The jokes are too recycled and more of the same, with more contrivance and ridiculous silliness than fun or sparkle, and a lot of the script is very weak with lines this time round that makes one cringe. Whereas there was a perfect balance before of the extremely funny and the slightly tiresome this balance goes way too far in the latter.Story is just as problematic, the situations are much more contrived and reek of predictability without any freshness or charm. It's more tedious than bright and breezy, and fails as a comedy, drama and romance. The comedy is too far and between and feels too much of before without any of the things that worked so well in 'Bridget Jones's' Diary'. The drama is too sentimentalised and lacks any poignancy and the romantic parts are severely lacking in warmth.Despite it not being the case, being the same director as the previous film except then it was hard to believe it was a debut, you'd think that it was the opposite here because the direction actually felt inexperienced. The music doesn't work here, too randomly placed, the songs not as well chosen and inferior in quality and actually feeling annoying.Overall, disappointing and a big step down but not without its redeeming merits. 4/10 Bethany Cox

eric262003 The whole Bridget Jones uproar emerged in the 1990's when Helen Fielding's newspaper article about a fictitious single lady later materialized into a best-selling novel and that hit a positive note upon the the critical mass. Bridget who was fixated on losing weight and finding the right guy rehashed her story about the triumphs and failures along with her cynical humour which quickly made her mark famous. Of course as a rule of thumb, a best selling novel will likely be chewed up by the film industry and sure enough in 2001, "Bridget Jones' Diary" was released. Sure there was some doubt about casting an all-American girl Renee Zellweger as the titular character, and was more British than fish and chips, but she did exceptionally quite well for herself with strong support from Colin Firth and Hugh Grant. But enough about the first film, let talk about this one, "The Edge of Reason". It's a follow up to the first film basically, but through different sets and scenarios. If you're a fan of the first film, the second will be of liking as well even though the humour and quality has been altered a little here and there.So we start the story with Bridget dating Mark Darcy (Firth) we from the first film get the assumption we have that storybook happy ending right? Well not exactly. Bridget has suspicions that Darcy is being flirty with his receptionist and the once lovable and naive Bridget has now fallen to the edge of being borderline self- destructive. Because of her suspicions, she breaks up with Darcy and ends up taking a journalist job assigned to Thailand and she winds up in the arms of Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant). The question is will she reconcile with Darcy or is her mindset on the more willful Cleaver?Taking over the directing job from Sharon Maguire, Beebon Kidron, the direction moves out of the London surroundings as our protagonist ventures into the streets of Austria and Thailand. The main change is that unlike from the novel, Daniel Cleaver actually returns and for good reason because it's nice to see Mr. Grant convey his charismatic charm and to revitalize the magic from its predecessor. Though not as strong in the romantic comedy as in the first film, we not blaming Kidron on that. The script loses it charm and focus. And though we have grown onto Bridget and we hoped in the end that she truly found happiness, so know we see her though not her fault ruin herself we feel less empathy for her. We're also doubtful that she's not going to return to Darcy's arms even though it's clear that he's still madly in love with her. On the plus side, the principal three stars are quite at ease in their respected roles like as if they could be performing their roles in their sleep. The chemistry between the trio were equally sublime like in the first and is the main traits that makes this movie the way it is. No strangers to this kind of genre, they just seems right at home and can convey the deadpan humour that the romantic comedy has to offer. And sure films like this are not action-packed or suspenseful, in spite of the little squabble in the first, the comedy and the romance depicted here are boosted up a bit here. In spite of the negativity by the critics, it's not entirely bad and it's not an abomination to the franchise. It's still not as fresh as the original film. So what if this movie is formulaic? It works on all what you expect from a romantic comedy. The cast are in their comfort zones, and they come off naturally in that way. Sure it's often compared to the first film, but if you can overcome the fact it is a sequel, it shouldn't disappoint. It's not really my genre of comedy, but it's still a good watch if you give it try. Who know? You may like this movie for what it is.

Tweekums Four weeks after the end of the first film and things appear to be going will for Bridget Jones; she is going out with Mark Darcy, the high flying human rights lawyer… that is until somebody tells her that Darcy is spending time with another, younger woman. Even when Darcy suggests they go off skiing the other woman is there too. Convinced that Darcy is having an affair Bridget decides to end the relationship. Things are further complicated when Bridget is given a job reporting from Thailand with her lecherous ex Daniel Cleaver… that isn't the worst of it though; she ends up in a Thai prison after being tricked into taking a large quantity of cocaine through customs.If you are looking for something deep this isn't the film for you; however if you want some good silly fun you could do worse. Renée Zellweger does a great job as the eponymous Bridget Jones. Her character gets into a series of amusing events such as parachuting into a pigsty, skiing down a mountain at breakneck speed when she thinks she is pregnant, getting high on magic mushrooms and singing with the other girls in the Thai prison. The rest of the cast are on fine form too; Colin Firth is nicely restrained as Darcy and Hugh Grant is pretty funny as the sleazy Cleaver. The secondary characters are pretty good too; I particularly liked Sally Phillips, Shirley Henderson and James Callis who played Bridget's friends whose advice leads to many of her problems… it was a pity they didn't feature more. Overall I'd say this probably wasn't quite as good as the first but I still enjoyed it and laughed out loud a few times at some of the sillier gags.

Desertman84 Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason is a romantic comedy film based on Helen Fielding's novel of the same title. It stars Renée Zellweger as Bridget Jones together with Colin Firth as Mark Darcy, and Hugh Grant as Daniel Cleaver. It is the sequel to Bridget Jones's Diary.The movie was directed by Beeban Kidron.Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason picks up four weeks after the original film left off, with Bridget emotionally satisfied at long last with Mark Darcy, her barrister boyfriend. Stability in Bridget's life, however, quickly becomes a contradiction in terms. Though Mark is openly supportive of Bridget's numerous eccentricities,she is nonetheless threatened by Mark's young, nubile intern, not to mention irked at finding out that he is, among other less desirable qualities in her eyes, a conservative voter. Complicating issues further is the re-entrance of her ex-lover, Daniel Cleaver, whom Jones, perhaps mistakenly, thought she had finally gotten over. Before long, the situation escalates into another series of embarrassing circumstances for Bridget, who is faced once again with a crippling feeling of self- doubt and has only her diary and friends to combat it.Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason is predictable continuation to the Bridget Jones' story with too much slapstick and silliness.Also,many scenes aren't funny nor is the humor presented in the movie effective for laughs.Nor is it clever or interesting.Overall,it is no longer interesting as compared to the first movie.