Plot Details: This opinion reveals major details about the movie's plot.

Preamble
Normally, once I read a book, I skip out on the movie version because usually I am highly disappointed. With the lack of great chick-flicks out there, this was a movie (and sneak preview to boot!) that I was not about to miss!

Plot
Although I'd love to tell you EVERYTHING about this movie, I just can't bring myself to do it. I would rather you walk in and be surprised instead of me spoiling it for you. Therefore, this is very summary level.

32 year old Bridget (Renee Zellweger) wants to start life anew. She's got to take control of her life. How to do that? By outlining a plan within her diary. That plan includes the following:

Will not be paranoid about weight.

Will develop inner poise.

Will not form romantic attachments to any of the following: alcoholics, workaholics, peeping toms, megalomaniacs, or f*ckwits.

Will not fantasize about a particular person who embodies these things: my boss.

What ensues is a diary full of hysterical situations. Bridge does end up doing a lot of things that she swore she wouldn't do, including dating her boss, the dastardly Daniel Cleaver.

Does Bridget find her true love in the end? Ya gotta go see the movie for the answer to this question.

Critical Commentary
Writing. The writing was hysterical. I was fully engaged from the moment GO. Richard Curtis (Four Weddings and A Funeral), Andrew Davies (Circle of Friends), and the author, Helen Fielding, did an outstanding job of capturing the essence of the book into the movie.

With the popularity of single, working career women, it would have been easy for the writers to turn this screenplay into another Ally McBeal. Fortunately, they make a detour off of that road by giving us some situations where a woman's success in her career doesn't come to her because she wears the right clothes or perfume.

The heavy influence of two of the screenwriters (Curtis and Davies) gave that movie a familiar feeling. Translation: If you liked any of the movies they participated in, you're surely to like this movie a lot!

The dialog, although sometimes difficult to understand quickly enough (that English accent), had me laughing almost non-stop. Also, if you're not familiar with some English slang (i.e. p*ssed, f*g, and shagging), you'll miss out on some of the funny jokes.

If I could point to one minor flaw it would be the ending. I'm okay with the essence of the ending, it was just a tad bit too corny for me. I am all "corn" however, the type of corn presented went a little against the flavor of the movie.

Acting. Renee Zellweger continues to prove herself as a versatile actress. Whether it be dramas or comedies, she is the up and coming Meryl Streep of her generation. Secretly, I must admit to you that when I heard that Renee was cast, I was disappointed. It's true. I thought that Kate Winslet would have been perfect for this role. I guess now, we'll never know if that is true.

I haven't been single in a very long time however, I identified with her pain. Her pain of fighting the battle against weight. Her pain of not thinking she's pretty enough. Her pain of not being taken seriously. It would have been very easy for Renee to play this role in a very stereotypical fashion. She didn't.

You might have heard that in order to prepare herself for the role, she spent some time incognito as a publicist in London's MacMillan Publishing house. She also piled on the pounds (well I don't think 20-30 pounds is piling but I'm only a woman) to come across as a more believable character. Renee pulls off an English accent with ease. You don't hear once ounce of Texan in her.

I'll put my neck out on the line here and state right this moment that Renee is VERY deserving of a Golden Globe and Oscar nod for this performance.

Hugh Grant, amazed me! I've seen him in many other things but this part blew me away. Though not nearly as talented as Renee, he did a fantastic job at playing the boss, Daniel Cleaver. Attractive and full of himself (real like pretty similar there Hugh?), he plays right into the stereotype that we girls all know and love. What made Hugh's performance unique is that he had a sympathetic side to him. I think that he, as an actor brings it to the forefront more than the writing.

Colin Firth (Shakespeare in Love, The English Patient) is a diamond in the rough. For years, I have thought that his performances were always underrated and near-perfection. Maybe it's the dimple in his chin :). Whatever it is, he didn't disappoint here. What I really appreciated is that Colin used his eyes to convey a lot of his emotions. He seemed to do more of that than actual speaking. Sadly, this isn't the type of role that a person would get an award for - it's just not (Oscar) socially acceptable.

Social Commentary
This movie wraps up several social things for us in a neat little bow. Of course we know in real life, things aren't this easy to take care of like ::finger snaps:: that.

Observation #1
C'mon girls. Daniel Cleaver is the guy that we spend most of our young years chasing only to realize that:

1) He's not the marrying type
2) He'd sleep with your sister behind your back
3) He's more concerned with his looks than your feelings.

You would think that with history on our side, we'd stop this ridiculous chase and get down to the business of finding the right guy. (sigh)

Observation #2
Bridget's obsession with her weight is something that most of us wouldn't blink an eye at. Meaning, we're all just about that way. And the media of course know this, and continues to pray on our pocketbooks with the promise that the next diet will melt away those pounds.

Observation #3
Holding out for the right things - the right man - is a good thing. Don't give in to the pressures of your friends and family.

Soundtrack
The music in the film alas, is not all included in the soundtrack which was just released this past Tuesday. Artist you can look forward to hearing include Robbie Williams, Sheryl Crowe, Shelby Lynn, and Geri Hallowell. More on this later - I just picked up the soundtrack and intend on reviewing it very soon.

Post Script
Don't laugh at me when I suggest Golden Globe and Oscar Nominations for this movie. If frickin' Julia Roberts can win for her lame performance in Erin Brockovich, than surely Renee can get nominated for a shining performance. Other things I think it will get nominated for include: Best Screenplay Adaptation and probably Best Comedy (Golden Globes).

Recommended: Yes

Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older