“˜Bridget Jones’: first is sweeter

Against all odds, they didn’t muck it up ““ not
entirely at least.

In the doomed world of sequels and their accompanying
unrealistically high expectations, “Bridget Jones: The Edge
of Reason,” proves to be a distant second to the 2001
classic.

Bridget Jones (Renee Zellweger) is back: happier and plumper
than ever. Beeban Kidron’s sequel picks up just four weeks
after where the first film left off. Bridget and Mark Darcy (Colin
Firth) are experiencing romantic bliss in the ever-perfect couple
honeymoon stage.

London’s once proclaimed oldest spinster can finally hand
over her title, for Bridget has found true happiness.

Or has she?

True to her nature, Bridget can’t help but screw things up
without even trying. She is constantly fretting over relationship
issues without realizing she hasn’t any.

Her insecurities and jealousies over Darcy’s leggy
assistant soon get the best of the relationship and Bridget finds
herself quickly on the market again.

Shortly after, temptation rears its ugly head when
Bridget’s boss gives her an assignment in Thailand with her
old flame. In a delightful turn of events, considering he is not
even mentioned in the second book on which the movie is based,
Daniel Cleaver’s (Hugh Grant) return shows that nothing has
tamed down the sardonic womanizer. Fortunately, all the main
characters have remained true to their originals.

For the woman who has made being clumsy into an art form,
Zellweger’s irresistible nature hasn’t changed a bit.
She is involved in the requisite slapstick scenes including
skydiving in a pigsty and trying to show off her nonexistent skiing
skills.

Firth and Grant return as the objects of affection and sometimes
repulsion. Firth is more endearing as the stone-faced but loyal
boyfriend. And Grant does what he does best; this role was made for
him.

What the film lacks, however, is the sincerity that made the
original a delight. The director seemed to think the movie needed
more excitement, so he added a whole bunch of unrealistic and
unnecessary scenes, some not even remotely funny.

In one, Bridget finds herself in a Thai prison and deems it
important that the women learn how to sing Madonna songs correctly.
Confusing and out of place, to say the least.

Granted, “Bridget Jones’s Diary” is an unfair
contestant to go up against, and the sequel does have a few
redeeming qualities, mostly due to the strength of the leads.
Unfortunately “The Edge of Reason” simply cannot come
close to living up to the original’s heartfelt charm.

““ Laurie Lo