From Deseret News archives:

Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason

Published: Thursday, Nov. 11, 2004 1:49 p.m. MST
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
For truth-in-advertising purposes, the second Bridget Jones film probably should have been subtitled "No Reason for It, Except to Cash in On the Success of the First Movie."

Or perhaps it could have been "More of the Same," since that's certainly the case here. There's really no material in the nonsensically titled "The Edge of Reason" that wasn't covered in the first film.

In fact, all this pale sequel does is remind you how much sweeter and more heartfelt — and therefore much better — its predecessor was. And while it did have its share of crude and crass moments, this one really ups the ante in that regard.

"The Edge of Reason" picks up the story a few weeks after the end of the first film. As it turns out, the rather curvy title character (RenZe Zellweger) is still dating human-rights lawyer Mark Darcy (Colin Firth). However, she's doing everything she can to mess that relationship up. Thanks to her continual neuroses, she's become rather clingy and she's even accused Mark of cheating on her with his beautiful co-worker (Jacinda Barrett).

So he abruptly dumps her. And to virtually no one's surprise, Bridget finds herself in a familiar situation: flirting with her former boss, Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant), who's now a reporter for a television travel program.

Story continues below
When the two are sent to Thailand to do an episode for the show, the trip goes from bad to worse in a hurry. Bridget rebuffs Daniel's advances, and then she is thrown behind bars after being caught with drugs in her suitcase. Needless to say, wacky hijinks ensue. And even if you believe it's appropriate to make a Thai prison look like Club Med, it's just not funny. But then, neither is much else in the film.

Even Zellweger, who was so endearing the first time around, becomes tiresome. And while Firth's character is supposed to be a bit of a pill, he's so uninteresting that it's a wonder that anyone would want him.

The film's one bright spot is Grant, still relishing the opportunity to play such an unrepentant cad. But there's not nearly enough of him in the movie — he only comes in about halfway through the film, and by then, the life has already been sucked out of it.

"Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason" is rated R for crude sexual references and other vulgar sexual humor, occasional use of strong sexual profanity, drug content (use of hallucinogens, as well as cocaine possession), some brief sexual content, violence (mostly a slapstick tussle), and glimpses of some nude artwork. Running time: 108 minutes.


E-MAIL: jeff@desnews.com

Comments

You can be the first to comment on this story.

Movie Info
Rated R for profanity, vulgarity, brief sex, drug use.

Cast: RenZe Zellweger, Colin Firth, Hugh Grant
FIND LOCAL MOVIE SHOWTIMES
Image
Laurie Sparham, Universal Studios

Actress Renee Zellweger reprises her Academy-Award nominated role in "Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason," based on Helen Fielding's book.

previousnext

Latest comments

You would obviously only have second hand information about Obama's foreign...

I don't understand why we can't destroy opium fields, and cut off other main...

Cougs begin bowl preparations

You need to join Dennis as co-poster child in the, "Max was actually right,"...

As an active member and Past Master of the Blue Lodge, and as the lone active...

Jazz win 6th in 7 games

Just get feztheb more minutes.

Hall reprimanded by MWC

I remember as a student at BYU, President Jeffrey R. Holland reprimanding the...

LA to submit bid to host World Cup

...

Utahns growing tired of Bennett

Tired, not because he's not conservative enough (which he isn't), but because...

Sure. President Obama uses the fear card in an attempt to help the american...

Jazz win 6th in 7 games

Okurs not that bad when he isn't tired, or trying to save his energy; its...

Advertisements