Title apart, "Bridget Jones' Diary" doesn't really bear much resemblance to the book of the same name and certainly isn't a serious attempt to explain the phenomenon of 30-something singletons. However, that was never its intention as this is really nothing more than an old-fashioned and sweet-natured romantic comedy with a contemporary twist. That having been said, it's great fun even if, in retrospect, it's entirely predictable.

Texan Renee Zellweger so perfectly captures the essence of the unlucky-in-love Bridget that it's almost impossible to imagine anyone else playing the role. Of particular note is her perfect middle class English accent which finally lays to rest the idea that American actors can't do English accents, a throwback to the days of Dick van Dyke's criminal attempt at Cockney in "Mary Poppins".

But if Zellweger is good as Bridget, she's more than adequately supported by Hugh Grant as her caddish boss, Daniel Cleaver, and Colin Firth as the reliable but… more »

Title apart, "Bridget Jones' Diary" doesn't really bear much resemblance to the book of the same name and certainly isn't a serious attempt to explain the phenomenon of 30-something singletons. However, that was never its intention as this is really nothing more than an old-fashioned and sweet-natured romantic comedy with a contemporary twist. That having been said, it's great fun even if, in retrospect, it's entirely predictable.

Texan Renee Zellweger so perfectly captures the essence of the unlucky-in-love Bridget that it's almost impossible to imagine anyone else playing the role. Of particular note is her perfect middle class English accent which finally lays to rest the idea that American actors can't do English accents, a throwback to the days of Dick van Dyke's criminal attempt at Cockney in "Mary Poppins".

But if Zellweger is good as Bridget, she's more than adequately supported by Hugh Grant as her caddish boss, Daniel Cleaver, and Colin Firth as the reliable but aloof Mark Darcy. Of these two, Grant is particularly good, daring to play against his usual bumbling screen persona in favour of something altogether more unsympathetic. Also worthy of mention is Gemma Jones as Bridget's mother whose foot-in-mouth tendencies her daughter has inherited.

So not a profound film but nevertheless a hugely enjoyable one and well worth a look.

And finally, yes, I am a man, but simply one with a very broad taste in films....