Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason

British theatrical release poster

Directed byBeeban Kidron

Produced byTim BevanEric FellnerJonathan Cavendish

Screenplay byAndrew DaviesRichard CurtisAdam BrooksHelen Fielding

Based onBridget Jones: The Edge of Reasonby Helen Fielding

StarringRene ZellwegerHugh GrantColin FirthJim BroadbentGemma Jones

Music byHarry Gregson-Williams

CinematographyAdrian Biddle

Edited byGreg Hayden

ProductioncompanyStudioCanalMiramax FilmsWorking Title FilmsLittle Bird Limited

Distributed byUniversal Pictures

Release dates8November2004 (Netherlands, premiere)

12November2004 (United Kingdom)

19November2004 (United States)

Running time107 minutes

CountryUnited KingdomFranceUnited States

LanguageEnglishGermanThai

Budget$40 million

Box office$262,520,724

Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason is a 2004 English-French-American romantic comedy film directed by Beeban Kidron, based on Helen Fielding's novel of the same name. It stars Rene Zellweger as Bridget Jones, Colin Firth as Mark Darcy, and Hugh Grant as Daniel Cleaver. It is the sequel to Bridget Jones's Diary (2001). There are significant differences in the storylines between the novel and this film adaptation, and between the United States and United Kingdom versions of the film, including alternative beginning and endings.[citation needed]Plot

The film begins shortly before Bridget's mother's (Gemma Jones) annual Turkey Curry Buffet. Bridget (Rene Zellweger) is ecstatic about her relationship with Mark Darcy (Colin Firth). However, Bridget's confidence in her relationship is shattered when she meets Mark's colleague, the beautiful Rebecca Gilles (Jacinda Barrett). Bridget meets her ex, Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant), at her job for Sit-Up Britain and is offered a position as the "Smooth Guidess". Bridget initially refuses, quoting that Daniel Cleaver is a "deceitful, sexist, disgusting specimen of humanity". Bridget is delighted to be asked by Mark to go to the "Law Council Dinner", assuming he will propose afterwards, but because balding Tories quietly take offense at her ad hominem claim that depriving the poor of welfare is something advocated by balding Tories, the night does not end well.

After the "Law Council Dinner", Mark and Bridget have an argument and she walks away from him. Mark goes to Bridget's apartment, apologizes, and tells her he loves her for the first time. Later in the night, Mark asks Bridget if she'd like to go on a ski holiday in Vorarlberg, Austria. Once on the slopes, she learns Rebecca recommended the vacation spot to Mark. While on the holiday, Bridget thinks she's pregnant and after an argument concerning the future of children, the test is negative. After they return home, Bridget and Mark have lunch with both of their parents. When the subject of marriage comes up during conversation, Bridget is hurt by Mark's comment that it's not something they're even thinking about yet.

Bridget hears a message from Rebecca and discusses the message with one of her alleged "friends", who advises Bridget that if Mark says "I refuse to dignify that question with an answer", then you know he's having an affair. Bridget, hearing that answer, breaks up with Mark and goes with Daniel to Thailand to film "The Smooth Guide" with her friend, Shazzer (Sally Phillips). Bridget and Daniel flirt in Thailand. Bridget loses faith in Daniel again when she is in a hotel room and notices that a Thai prostitute has arrived for him. Daniel later says that the "gorgeous Thai girl" was revealed to be a "gorgeous Thai boy".

While packing up for their trip back home, Shazzer asks Bridget to put Jed's (Paul Nicholls) gift in her bag. Bridget is arrested and sent to a Thai prison after airport security dogs recognize that there is a large stash of cocaine inside the gift. In prison, Bridget spends her time sharing relationship stories with the inmates and teaching them Madonna's "Like a Virgin". Mark arrives to tell Bridget that his superiors have sent him to put her release in motion. Bridget identifies Jed on a picture as the man who gave Shazzer the hidden cocaine. Mark walks away after clearly stating that he was just the messenger and stating that her sex life does not interest him. In Britain, Mark confronts Daniel for not helping Bridget when she was arrested, and they start a fight outside a museum. Eventually, Daniel swears off Bridget for good and sarcastically suggests that Mark "just marry her."

When Bridget arrives in Heathrow Airport, she is an international human rights celebrity. She is greeted by her parents who have been busy planning their vow renewal ceremony. At home, she is surprised by her friends who inform her that Mark was the one who tracked down Jed and forced him into custody in order to free her, in the process putting into motion the British Government, MI5, Interpol & many other diplomatic big-wigs. Hopeful that he still loves her, she runs to his house. She finds Rebecca there and assumes that there is a romantic relationship between Mark and her. Rebecca reveals that she is not seeking an affair with Mark. She is instead infatuated with Bridget, who is flattered, but politely turns her down.

Bridget confronts Mark at his legal chambers and asks him to take her back. Mark proposes to Bridget and she accepts. The film ends with Bridget's parents renewing their vows and Bridget catching the bouquet.

Cast

Rene Zellweger as Bridget JonesColin Firth as Mark Darcy

Hugh Grant as Daniel Cleaver

Gemma Jones as Mrs. Jones

Jim Broadbent as Mr. Jones

Celia Imrie as Una Alconbury

James Faulkner as Uncle Geoffrey

Jacinda Barrett as Rebecca Gillies

Sally Phillips as Sharon "Shazza"

Shirley Henderson as Jude

James Callis as Tom

Jeremy Paxman as Himself

Ian McNeice as Quizmaster

Jessica Stevenson as Magda

Paul Nicholls (special participation) as Jed

Wolf Kahler as Commentator

Catherine Russell as Camilla

Ting-Ting Hu as Thai prostitute

Jason Watkins as Charlie Parker-Knowles

Vee Vimolmal as phrao

Pui Fan Lee and Melissa Ashworth as Thai jail girls