October 27, 2004. Copyright 2004, Graphic News. All rights reserved

Bridget Jones bounces back
By Joanna Griffin

LONDON, October 27, Graphic News:  The eagerly awaited Bridget Jones sequel, The Edge of Reason, to be released from November 11, shows that itÕs much harder to shed the neuroses and insecurity of thirty-something singledom than the extra pounds piled on by svelte actress Renee Zellweger to look the part for the starring role.

The first film ended with Bridget embracing handsome human rights lawyer Mark Darcy (Colin Firth) on a London street. However, life Òa deuxÓ is not all it might have seemed, and an insecure Bridget is thrown into turmoil when his leggy intern appears on the scene. Add a return by former fling Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant) and the scene is set for more of BridgetÕs blunders.

Why change a winning formula, after all? Co-financers Universal and Miramax have reunited the same cast and recreated the same mood as in the hugely successful first film, but expectations of the second movie about Helen FieldingÕs creation appear to be even higher: scenes with Bridget backwards on a horse, in a pig sty, on a ski slope, and in a Thai jail on drugs charges promise even longer laughs at the expense of the hapless heroine.

Nevertheless, the film did not have an easy genesis: Firth agreed to take part only after the script had been reworked by Notting Hill screenwriter Richard Curtis. Director Beeban Kidron has taken over the franchise from Sharon Maguire, and so desperate were the makers to secure Zellweger in the lead role that they signed a package worth more than $21 million with the Texan actress.

In all, however, the project seems so assured that there has been talk of another movie even without a third book to base it on. So far, it is not clear whether Zellweger and Co would be willing to reprise their roles for another romantic comedy, but there is certainly no danger of Bridget Jones turning into a Smug Married just yet.
/ENDS