Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason
Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason ★★½ 2004 (R)
The film sequel (loosely based on Fielding's book sequel) tries too hard to be endearingly kooky, but can't go that far wrong with Zellweger, who once again packed on the pounds to play the plumpish London singleton. When we last saw Bridget, she had finally chosen steady lawyer Mark Darcy (Firth), but her insecurities get the better of her. She trashes her relationship and is soon once again with sly cad Daniel (Grant), now the host of a TV travel show. This leads Bridget and Daniel to Thailand where, in an unfortunate plot contrivance, Bridget is thrown into a Thai jail. This only serves to teach Bridget that she really loves Mark. Zellweger is subjected to many pratfalls, which she handles with good spirit, and all the supporting roles are on the money. 108m/C VHS, DVD . US Renee Zellweger, Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, Jim Broadbent, Gemma Jones, Jacinda Barrett, James Callis, Shirley Henderson, Sally Phillips, Neil Pearson, Jessica Stevenson, Paul Nicholls; D: Beeban Kidron; W: Andrew Davies, Helen Fielding, Richard Curtis, Adam Brooks; C: Adrian Biddle; M: Harry Gregson-Williams.