Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason

The Story

Synopsis

Six weeks after Bridget Jones (Renée Zellweger) and Mark Darcy began their relationship, the cracks are already showing. Bridget’s insecurities, her hopeless behaviour at a skiing holiday, a suspicion about Mark’s colleague Rebecca (Jacinda Barrett), and Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant) reappearing at every inconvenient moment conspire to destroy what they have built.

The film — adapted from Helen Fielding’s 1999 sequel novel — takes Bridget to Thailand, where a disastrous misadventure lands her in a Bangkok prison, necessitating a rescue by a barrister boyfriend who arrives looking impeccably suited even in tropical heat.

Less critically praised than its predecessor but a considerable box-office success: £261m worldwide.

The Players

Cast

Colin Firth

Mark Darcy

Renée Zellweger

Bridget Jones

Hugh Grant

Daniel Cleaver

Jacinda Barrett

Rebecca

Jim Broadbent

Mr. Jones

Gemma Jones

Mrs. Jones

James Callis

Tom

Sally Phillips

Sharon

Shirley Henderson

Jude

Production

Notes

The film was shot partly on location in Thailand; Colin filmed the Bangkok rescue sequence in genuine tropical heat in a full suit.
Helen Fielding, who wrote the original novels and co-wrote the first film’s screenplay, had less involvement in the adaptation of this sequel.
The film’s critical reception was cooler than the original — 25% on Rotten Tomatoes — but audiences were loyal; £261m worldwide on a $40m budget.
Colin Firth received a BAFTA nomination for Best Actor in a Supporting Role.
The “fight in the fountain” sequence between Colin and Hugh Grant — a callback to the original’s alleyway brawl — was widely praised as funnier than the first.

$261m worldwide BAFTA Nomination — Best Supporting Actor

Critical Reception

Reviews

The Telegraph — ★★★

“Zellweger is in fine form and Firth, as ever, plays Darcy’s stiff charm with immaculate timing. The Thailand sequence is properly funny.”

Time Out

“Firth remains the film’s bedrock — the straightest straight-man in British comedy, which is precisely why the moments when he cracks are so satisfying.”

Hollywood Reporter

“Whatever the film’s flaws, Firth and Zellweger have genuine chemistry. The airport finale still delivers.”

Own It

Buy or Stream

DVD on Amazon