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Starring: Renee Zellweger, Colin Firth, Hugh Grant, Jim Broadbent, Gemma Jones, Embeth Davidtz

Diaries usually contain a person’s innermost thoughts – feelings, opinions, reflections and ambitions. You can find out a lot about someone if you read his diary (if the chance ever presents itself). It’s actually a rather dangerous habit keeping one; shady characters may use it as a blackmailing tool. That potential problem aside, a diary reveals the true person and in this flick we have the opportunity to delve into the life of Bridget Jones

Bridget is a lovable neurotic who obsesses about her weight, smokes too much, drinks too much, eats unhealthily, suffers from “verbal diarrhea” (she shoots off her mouth before thinking), fumbles and embarrasses herself at the most awkward of moments and when it comes to the opposite sex, can’t distinguish between trash and quality.

The single, 30-something London gal thinks that she is getting things wrong, when everybody is getting it right. In spite of enjoying a good career and having financial independence, she still faces the anxiety of finding a life partner and true love (a subject which rings true for the majority of “singletons” out there).

She has two candidates: the sexy but dangerous Daniel Cleaver (Grant), who also happens to be her boss; and the aloof and dull Mark Darcy (Firth), a top London barrister who is an old family friend, whom she overhears making a harsh remark about her when they first meet at a party.

Naturally, she chooses Cleaver (thanks to a lie he tells her about Darcy) but soon realises what a cad he is. And when she starts to develop feelings for Darcy, he seems to be in a serious relationship with his partner, a snooty lawyer named Natasha (Davidtz).

Besides that, there are other “problems” charted in her diary like her mother leaving her father for an oily home shopping channel personality. There are also some embarrassing moments, like a shot of her sliding down a fireman’s pole that kickstarts her new career as a TV journalist and the time she attends a “Tarts and Vicars” party in a bunny outfit when the organisers have decided that guests don’t need to come in costume after all!

This movie is based on the novel of the same name by Helen Fielding, who also wrote the screenplay. It actually sticks quite close to the bestseller but slight changes have been made in order for it to clock in at an acceptable running time. Small details are changed like the sweater Darcy wears when he first meets Bridget, and our heroine’s friends aren’t so prominent in this flick. Nonetheless it still stays true to the book and is a good adaptation

It’s hilarious and witty, and the cast is perfect in their roles. American actress Renee Zellweger managed a convincing British accent under the tutelage of a voice coach and deliberately put on weight for the role. She is Bridget-perfect. Lovable and sweet, she gives her character the heart and soul it needs. From choosing the right knickers to grace a special occasion to making blue soup, Bridget’s foibles are endearing and comical.

Dreamboat Colin Firth fits well in the shoes of Mark Darcy, the haughty and detached bachelor whose true self is slowly revealed throughout the film. As Darcy, Firth oozes the charisma and panache befitting his role. It’s also nice to see Hugh Grant ditching his stuttering romantic-hero lead for a bad boy role.

If you are unattached, you’ll definitely appreciate and understand the things Bridget goes through because it generally gives a spot-on look at singles. Guys, don’t dismiss this film as another “chick flick” as it will also speak volumes to you – no mushy stuff; it’s just an honest movie about life. Hop on the bandwagon for this trip, you may just find out that you’re treading on familiar ground.