Have kicked off the "Everything Austen" challenge rather unexpectedly. Last night I was channel surfing and came across "Bridget Jones's Diary" just as it was beginning. I must admit that my husband was not thrilled to be watching it yet again and I still wasn't exactly clear about how it tied in closely enough to be counted for the challenge, but we watched it anyway. Now let's be honest--even if it weren't for the challenge, there's a good chance I would have made my husband watch this movie again. It's got Colin Firth and Hugh Grant in it for heaven's sake! And this time, when I was looking for it, I finally got the connection to Pride and Prejudice (aside from the fact that Firth's character is named Darcy). The movie opens with Bridget and Darcy both being at a party where he is plainly bored and finds her foolish while she finds him a bore. Hey, me thinks, this is the first dance in P&P. Then Bridget hooks up with Daniel Cleaver, who, it turns out, has a bit of a bad history with Darcy. Well duh, I think; of course he is Mr. Wickham from P&P. Sure enough, it turns out that Cleaver/Wickham is a total cad who has lied about his history with Darcy and Bridget/Elizabeth Bennet wises up and chooses Darcy, who, come to find out, is quite a nice guy when you really get to know him. One down, five to go!
I can't wait to start the challenge - this is on my list too. I'm going to try and watch the BBC P&P on my vacation next week, maybe I'll throw in this movie as well. It'd be good to knock two items off the list in only one week!
ReplyDeleteGreat choice for the Austen challenge! I love that movie and like you I never really thought about how BJ's diary could be Austenish, but after reading your post and really thinking about it I can totally see the connections! Great post! I have to admit that I didn't really care much for the second BJ's diary movie or the book. And its strange because at times I find Mark Darcy to be insufferable and mean and I wonder how Bridget could even like him, but then he'll smile and I just melt and totally see why. Maybe I will watch that movie this weekend! Cheers!!
ReplyDeleteIt was meant to be that you watch this for the challenge!! I love this movie, especially the part when the guys get in the fight outside of the restaurant with "it's raining men" song in the background. Too funny!
ReplyDeleteLove this movie! And Colin Firth. I watch it all the time when it's on cable. Such a cute movie.
ReplyDeleteI know, that scene where they are fighting is just hilarious! I wish the second movie would have been better; such a disappointment.
ReplyDeletewow - I don't think I would have ever made the connection, either. How fun!
ReplyDeletenever thought too hard about the connection of this movie to P&P. huh. how could i have been so blind?! lol
ReplyDeleteI liked this book and the movie. When I read it the first time, it was before I got addicted to Jane. So, I didn't see the connection at first, either. HaHa
ReplyDeleteI love this movie, but have never really looked for the connection from P/P. I have it my list, and am going to take notes when I rewatch it.
ReplyDeletethis is on my re-watch list. at first viewing i didn't make the austen connection other than bridget's love for p&p. with your review i had that a-ha moment. i look forward to watching this again with a new perspective. thanks.
ReplyDeleteReading your post reminds me of when I saw the movie 'Clueless'. I was laughing out loud at the obvious connections to Austen's 'Emma'.
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