Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason

The Everygal neuroses of Britain's zaftig singleton sweetheart have gone from endearing to downright insufferable in this forced, entirely conventional follow-up to the charmingly witty Bridget Jones's Diary. Although still played warmly and winningly by the perfectly plumped-up Renee Zellweger, Bridget has become an embarrassing bundle of infuriating stock insecurities since landing her dashing, adoring, and a tad bit stiff barrister boyfriend Mark Darcy (Colin Firth) at the end of the first picture. Jealous, suspicious, clingy, marriage-obsessed, and irrational, she's her own antagonist in this romantic-comedy bomb, while the hero is the impossibly understanding Mark, who suffers through endless embarrassments and annoyances as Bridget falls from rooftops while spying on him or accidentally bursts into rooms full of foreign dignitaries to make apprehensive declarations of love. Far beyond disappointing, Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason is such a bitter-tasting fiasco that it can't even coast on the considerable wit of its talented returning cast, including Hugh Grant, again acing his role as Bridget's cheeky, rakish, lothario ex-fling Daniel Cleaver. Put Bridget Jones on a diet and all you'd have left is a routine Brittany Murphy or Kate Hudson chick flick. Not recommended. [Note: Available in either a widescreen or full screen version, DVD extras include audio commentary by director Beeban Kidron, and features broken down into three sections: in “Daniel's Hotel Room, you'll find the five-minute featurette “The Big Fight” and a “Who's Your Man?” interactive quiz quest for your “perfect partner” (here either “Mark,” “Daniel” or “Neither”). “Bridget's Desk” features three deleted scenes with intros by Kidron, including the original opening scene (10 min.); and “Mark's Law Office” has the featurettes “Mark and Bridget: Forever?” (5 min.), “Bridget Jones interviews Colin Firth” (5 min.), and the three-minute special effects segment “Lonely London.” Cast/filmmaker text bios and filmographies are also included. Bottom line: a decent extras package for a terribly disappointing sequel.] (R. Blackwelder)