'BRIDGET JONES' MIGHT HAVE BEEN BETTER OFF AS A SINGLE.Byline: Glenn Whipp Film Critic 'WHAT HAPPENS when you walk off into the sunset?'' That's the question That's the Question is an American quiz game show on GSN, hosted by game show veteran and former Entertainment Tonight reporter, Bob Goen, which premiered in October 2006. asked by the neurotic heroine at the beginning of ``Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason.'' Rather than deal with the complications of romantic bliss, though, the makers of this sequel have decided to ignore the question entirely and basically remake the original movie. The finished product has its moments, but suffers from a been-there, seen-that vibe that is alleviated only sporadically whenever Hugh Grant comes on screen. The charming first film was all about Bridget (Renee Zellweger) reconciling society's notions of happiness with her own. By the end, she's stood up to her boss, found a great new job and, of course, the man of her dreams, Mark Darcy (Colin Firth). She, like Mary Tyler Moore This article is about the actress. For her 1970s television series, also known as "Mary Tyler Moore", see The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Mary Tyler Moore , is going to make it after all. But will success spoil Bridget Jones? The filmmakers believe so. In bringing Helen Fielding's follow-up novel to the screen, director Beeban Kidron (taking over for Sharon Maguire) and writers Andrew Davies There are several well-known people named Andrew Davies, including:
To allow by dispensation; to excuse; to exempt; to grant dispensation to or for. most of the character moments that made the first film such a delight. Instead, the filmmakers opt for something of a Bataan Death March Bataan Death March (April 1942) Forced march of 70,000 U.S. and Filipino prisoners of war (World War II) captured by the Japanese in the Philippines. From the southern end of the Bataan Peninsula, the starving and ill-treated prisoners were force-marched 63 mi (101 km) to a of embarrassing situations for Bridget to endure, including, but not limited to, sky-diving into a pig sty, skiing down the Alps backward and leading a group of female Thai inmates in a sing-along rendition of Madonna's ``Like a Virgin.'' (Nothing like a little Thai prison humor to keep the comic momentum rolling.) All the mania seems a rather desperate attempt to disguise the fact that ``Edge of Reason'' is a little light on plot. Basically, Bridget can't leave well enough alone, messes up her relationship with Darcy, thus paving the way (thankfully) for the brief return of Grant's raffish raff·ish adj. 1. Cheaply or showily vulgar in appearance or nature; tawdry. 2. Characterized by a carefree or fun-loving unconventionality; rakish. cad. It's a retread re·tread tr.v. re·tread·ed, re·tread·ing, re·treads 1. To fit (a worn automotive tire) with a new tread. 2. right down to the repetition of specific scenes and comic set pieces. And when Kidron can't recycle, she turns, heavy-handedly, to pop songs, foisting the likes of ``Let's Get It On'' upon us for the umpteenth time. Looking, like Bridget, for a true happy ending, one that can't be spoiled? Stick to the original. After all, the filmmakers did. Glenn Whipp, (818) 713-3672 glenn.whipp(at)dailynews.com BRIDGET JONES: THE EDGE OF REASON - Two stars (R: sex, language) Starring: Renee Zellweger, Colin Firth, Hugh Grant. Director: Beeban Kidron. Running time: 1 hr. 45 min. Playing: Wide release. In a nutshell: Basically the original movie all over again, substituting slapstick slapstick Comedy characterized by broad humour, absurd situations, and vigorous, often violent action. It took its name from a paddlelike device, probably introduced by 16th-century commedia dell'arte troupes, that produced a resounding whack when one comic actor used it to humor for the wonderful character moments that made the first film so charming. |
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