UK

Synopsis

The story centres on Bridget, a 30-something "singleton", convinced that everyone is getting it right except her. Her ambitions are few — she would like to lose weight and find true love — but seemingly unattainable. Her romantic life is in a state of perpetual crisis. At the start of the new year, Bridget decides it's time to take control of her life and start writing a diary.

"I decided to get a grip on my life and start a diary, recording all the important things. Resolution number one:
obviously, will lose twenty pounds. Number two: equally important, will find nice sensible boyfriend to go out with and not continue to form romantic attachments to any of the following — alcoholics, workaholics, commitment phobics, peeping-toms, megalomaniacs, emotional fuckwits or perverts"

While her friends Jude, Sharon and Tom provide her with hopeless advice, Bridget finds herself torn between two men, her charming, sexy, but dangerous boss Daniel Cleaver and Mark Darcy, a old family friend, who seems at first to be aloof and dull, until his true self is revealed. Bridget's unsuccessful attempts to control her chaotic life and develop inner poise are charted by her diary antries. As the hilarious dilemma unfolds Bridget discovers that she has an irrepressible ability to survive the confusion around her.

Director's Biography

Between 1991 and 1993, Maguire worked as producer/director for the BBC's THE LATE SHOW. She then made several acclaimed documentaries which include THE GODFATHER documentary on the American architect Philip Johnson which was short listed for Best Documentary Film at the Montreal Film Festival; IN AT NUMBER TEN (1994), a documentary which formed part of the BBC “The Thatcher Years” Season and was short listed for the BFI Documentary Award; PICASSO (1994), a drama documentary which formed part of the BBC "Picasso" Season; RUMER GODDEN: AN INDIAN AFFAIR (1995), a documentary for BBC Bookmark which was nominated for an International Emmy; H G WELLS: PARTS 1 & 2 for BBC Bookmark, which was nominated for a Royal TV Society Award; and DAME HENRIETTA'S DREAM — A YEAR IN THE LIFE OF HAMPSTEAD GARDEN SUBURB for BBC Omnibus which enjoyed great critical acclaim.
Maguire has also directed commercials for clients including the Irish Tourist Board, Ford, British Telecom, Volkswagen, Volvo, Centerparcs and Five Alive.
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Cast & Crew

Directed by: Sharon Maguire

Written by: Helen Fielding, Helen Fielding, Richard Curtis

Produced by: Jonathan Cavendish, Eric Fellner, Tim Bevan

Cinematography: Stuart Dryburgh

Editing: Martin Walsh

Production Design: Gemma Jackson

Costume Design: Rachael Fleming

Cast: Hugh Grant (Daniel Cleaver), Colin Firth (Mark Darcy), Renée Zellweger (Bridget Jones)

Nominations and Awards

  • People's Choice Award 2001
  • European Film 2001
  • Feature Film Selection 2001