Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001)
84%RT Audience Score: 81%
Awards & Nominations: Nominated for 1 Oscar
8 wins & 32 nominations total
Though there was controversy over the choice of casting, Zellweger’s Bridget Jones is a sympathetic, likable, funny character, giving this romantic comedy a lot of charm
Bridget Jones’s Diary is a classic rom-com that will make you laugh, cry, and cringe all at the same time. Renée Zellweger’s portrayal of Bridget is both hilarious and relatable, and the supporting cast is equally as charming. While some critics may argue that the film is dated, we say it’s a timeless masterpiece that will always hold a special place in our hearts (and DVD collections). So grab some popcorn, a glass of wine, and get ready to fall in love with Bridget Jones all over again.
Production Company(ies)
CNN Films, Statement Pictures,
Distributor
Miramax Films, Universal Pictures
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Bedale Street, Southwark, London, England, UK
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for language and some strong sexuality
Year of Release
2001
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:SDDS Dolby Digital DTS
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Aspect ratio:2.39 : 1
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Runtime:1h 32m
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United Kingdom
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Apr 13, 2001 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 9, 2004
Genre(s)
Comedy/Romance
Keyword(s)
starring Renée Zellweger, Colin Firth, Hugh Grant, Gemma Jones, Jim Broadbent, Embeth Davidtz, directed by Sharon Maguire, written by Richard Curtis, Andrew Davies, Helen Fielding, comedy, romance, R rating, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Johanna Thomas-Corr, Andrew O’Hagan, Charlotte O’Sullivan, Nell Minow, Anna Smith, Lael Loewenstein, David Nusair, Leigh Paatsch, Felicia Feaster, Kaori Shoji, Mark Steyn, Emanuel Levy, produced by Tim Bevan, Jonathan Cavendish, Eric Fellner
Worldwide gross: $281,995,610
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $475,243,944
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 302
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 51,825,948
US/Canada gross: $71,543,427
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $120,571,311
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 630
US/Canada opening weekend: $10,733,933
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $18,089,773
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 704
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $25,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $42,132,211
Production budget ranking: 909
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $22,688,196
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $410,423,537
ROI to date (est.): 633%
ROI ranking: 198
Colin Firth – Mark Darcy
Hugh Grant – Daniel Cleaver
Gemma Jones – Pam Jones
Jim Broadbent – Colin Jones
Embeth Davidtz – Natasha
Self – Sharon Maguire (Director)
Self – Tim Bevan (Producer)
Self – Jonathan Cavendish (Producer)
Self – Eric Fellner (Producer)
Self – Richard Curtis (Writer)
Self – Andrew Davies (Writer)
Self – Helen Fielding (Writer)
Director(s)
Sharon Maguire
Writer(s)
Richard Curtis, Andrew Davies, Helen Fielding
Producer(s)
Tim Bevan, Jonathan Cavendish, Eric Fellner
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
Nominated for 1 Oscar
8 wins & 32 nominations total
Academy Awards
Oscar Nominees
All Critics (162) | Top Critics (49) | Fresh (129) | Rotten (33)
Sadly, the film is tragically, depressingly, awfully of its time… The transition to screen stripped out much of Fielding’s irony, nuance and cynicism.
July 28, 2021
Johanna Thomas-Corr
New Statesman
TOP CRITIC
It’s fine, for an evening, if you just want to pack your troubles in an old kit bag.
March 1, 2018
Andrew O’Hagan
Daily Telegraph (UK)
TOP CRITIC
That Zellweger can make us believe in Bridget’s heaving inner world is par for the course — she’s a supremely talented comic actress. That she was willing to risk her own status as sex symbol by looking like an everywoman is really impressive.
November 13, 2017
Charlotte O’Sullivan
Independent (UK)
TOP CRITIC
Oh, such fun for older teens!
December 22, 2010 | Rating: 4/5
Nell Minow
Common Sense Media
TOP CRITIC
A cheerfully frothy romantic comedy that benefits from sharp writing, lively performances and touching characterisation.
April 15, 2008 | Rating: 3/5
Anna Smith
Film4
TOP CRITIC
As a film, however, item misses its mark, failing to capitalize on the staccato rhythms and sardonic wit of Bridget’s inner life.
April 15, 2008
Lael Loewenstein
Variety
TOP CRITIC
…progressively conventional…
January 15, 2022 | Rating: 2/4
David Nusair
Reel Film Reviews
Renée Zellweger is brilliant as the dumpy English everywoman who learns the hard way that self-improvement won’t be found at the back of her refrigerator.
May 1, 2020 | Rating: 3.5/5
Leigh Paatsch
Herald Sun (Australia)
When rendered in visual terms, many of the most delicious qualities of Bridget Jones’s Diary also become highly smelly, like a wedge of cheese that’s overstayed its welcome.
January 30, 2020
Felicia Feaster
Creative Loafing
This is a picture that gets right down to the brass tacks of singleton urban living for women in their 30s.
January 11, 2019 | Rating: 3.5/5
Kaori Shoji
Japan Times
The film is excessively, parochially British at its periphery, yet insufficiently so at its core.
February 2, 2018
Mark Steyn
The Spectator
December 28, 2012 | Rating: B
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com…
Plot
Bridget Jones (Renée Zellweger) is an average woman struggling against her age, her weight, her job, her lack of a man, and her many imperfections. As a New Year’s Resolution, Bridget decides to take control of her life, starting by keeping a diary in which she will always tell the complete truth. The fireworks begin when her charming though disreputable boss takes an interest in the quirky Miss Jones. Thrown into the mix are Bridget’s band of slightly eccentric friends and a rather disagreeable acquaintance into whom Bridget cannot seem to stop running or help finding quietly attractive.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
No goofy or funny or odd comments were found in the Fresh Kernels review for Bridget Jones’s Diary.
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