Over by the Bank of England (old lady of Threadneedle Street), across the river. Hmmm, I see from a map that there's a Clink Prison Museum. Must be how clink became synonymous with jail.

BJD has slipped to No.3 in the US, behind The Mummy and Driven but I think it has held up better that Sly's movie, it is being shown on less screens and is only just short of the Driven total and has been going for longer!!. vvvg.

BJD has slipped to No.3 in the US Hmm... It didn't seem like it last night. I went (w/ boyfriend) to see it for the 2nd time last night, and it was a packed house! BTW, my boyfriend's comments re: CF's performance in BJD: "At first I thought he was just going to be this one-dimensional character. He hardly had any lines, he just stood there staring and looking psycho half the time!" LOL!

(Ann W.)BJD has slipped to No.3 in the US (Winter)Hmm... It didn't seem like it last night. Doesn't seem like that here (Houston) either...playing in 24 theatres . Some on two screens.

Does anybody else have a problem with the fact that a Sylvester Stallone movie is #2 at the box office over a CF one ?????? Grrrrrrrrrrrrr.......Bashes head against wall.......LOL..... Anyway, methinks we won't have this lamentable situation next week. Have any of ya'll seen the reviews for this SS movie, what's it called....Drivel ??? The reviews for it are truely awful and I'm sure by next week, BJD will assume its rightful eminence over the sheer unmitigated crap that this is. There, I feel beter now.

BJD is still #1 in the UK, yippee, after 4 weeks!!!

(AnnW) BJD has slipped to No.3 in the US, behind The Mummy and Driven but I think it has held up better that Sly's movie, it is being shown on less screens and is only just short of the Driven total and has been going for longer!!. vvvg. Vvvg indeed! Thanks for pointing out that BJD is being shown on less screens than Drivel *oops* Driven. And it's certainly no surprise that Hello Mummy is in the top spot. BJD is still #1 in the UK, yippee, after 4 weeks!!! Yay!

Yes, and if you look at the estimate charts, you'll see that Drivel is only $55K ahead of BJD for the weekend. When they put out the actuals tonight, I have a feeling Harvey might "find" an extra, oh, $56K or so in previously uncounted ticket sales. Go to it, Miramucks--start with the theaters in Florida.;-) Great that it's still on top in the UK--give the peole what they want and they'll come out. Seems like Corelli posed little threat after those awful reviews. I started to suspect that CCM might be a dog when they pushed the US release date back to mid-August--the late summer graveyard where bad films go to die.

(This got posted on the old server somehow. Trying again.) From this week's Onion (www.theonion.com, a satirical paper, for those of you who don't know): "May 1 was the deadline for the Writers Guild of America strike. What have TV and movie executives done to prepare?" #5: "Checking to see if Jane Austen has anything new out."

For everyone in the US, CF is being interviewed on the NPR show "Fresh Air" today. In our area (SF Bay Area), they play Fresh Air twice a day, cannot speak for anywhere else. You can bet I'll be listening both times. Anyone (from other parts of the world) who is interested can access the show online through this link http://www.kqed.org/fr/index.html. I believe they also do a realmedia version which you can listen to later at this site. Enjoy! On another note, as a newbie here, and a recent CF convert, can someone please tell me what OBD stands for? thanks.

Hi Sara, and welcome. ODB stands for "Our Dear Boy".

BJD is still #1 in the UK, yippee, after 4 weeks!!! And Geri Halliwell's "it's raining men" went straight in at #1 in the singles charts...and BJD is back at #1 in the Book charts (sold 60,000 copies last week) and TEOR is at #6.

Colin Firth interview - first webcast (available on both realplayer and windows media player) starts in approx 48 minutes. Will be re-broadcast again 6 hours later. Links to webcast available at: http://www.kqed.org/fr/index.html.

Thanks Sara, and btw Bethan Gabrielle's is at # in the top ten with Out of Reach, I just love it, am playing it all the time.

at #5, silly me.

Welcome to our little group Sarah. We love newbies and esp new converts.

ODB stands for "Our Dear Boy". Oh my - I thought it was Old Dirty Bastard! :-P

(Sarah) CF is being interviewed on the NPR show "Fresh Air" today. Hi, Sarah and welcome. We're talking about the interview over on the CF topic. Come join in! I expect the discussion will pick up when our friends in the later time zones have heard it.

Sara, don't feel bad until 3 days ago i had no idea what ODB stood for. Who started that name anyway? Does anyone know? I am also new to the group. I live in Tampa,FL and the Fresh Air show is on at 6:30, can't wait to get off of work and listen on the ride home.

If you are one of his "typical fans"(i.e. Volvos, etc, or, as he puts it "very old ladies" Hmmmmmm), it is a natural to refer to him as the Dear Boy and when shared "Our Dear Boy". That was one acronym that I picked up on my own from here almost immediately! ;-) KJ

Luckily, I have two local PBS stations that will broadcast "Fresh Air" at different times today. I intend to record both, and then make an "unsloppy" tape! (My first "sloppy" one is already down, and the second recording starts in about forty minutes). I must say that being a poor creature working from a public library machine, I feel a twinge of jealousy, even resentment, when I am being referred by URL to files of video clips or sound ones, which it is impossible for me to share. I bless the transcript writers the more for the time and effort they put in for the likes of me! Thank you! And welcome all newbies! (I gotta get off now) :-) KJ

I guess I'm not a "typical fan", since I am still under the age of 40. ;-) Colin and I are less than a year apart, actually - he was born 10 Sept 1960 and I was born 8 Sept 1961. But fortunately, much like Colin, I don't look my age ;-) ;-) I have been "preaching the gospel" to friends here, and have actually convinced several of them to see BJD (and also convinced several to rent P&P to get more of the context of BJD). I have to say that I sincerely hope that this movie increases Colin's "stock" such that they decide to re-release some of his less well-known and currently out of print films, such as The Advocate (Hour of the Pig) and A Month in the Country, which are absolutely impossible to find here in the US. Does anyone know who I would write to to encourage this happening?

The Advocate and A Month in the Country are *not* impossible to find, Sarah. Both are usually around on eBay, although Colin fever has hit and that has affected prices. There is also half.com. You never know, they may reissue them, as Valmont was last year.

Sorry Karen, I should have been a little clearer, I guess - I was referring to the availability of videos for rental - I'm not really keen to buy NTSC video tapes, as I am hoping to move to Australia within the next 6 months or so, so I'm pretty much limited to either renting videotapes or buying DVDs, and since these never made it to DVD...

Bashing this location thing to death ... I thought that the scenes outside the Cleaver apartment were shot at Shad Thames, where the cobbled streets look just like that. But Clink St is only half a mile away from those, so similar streets is no surprise. Must be how clink became synonymous with jail. Correct. But the museum is a bit of a bust, IMO. Delighted that BJD is still #1 in UK (even quite pleased for Geri). Any chance it could rise again in US? Surely it still has "more legs" than Drivel and Hello Mummy?

(Mark) Any chance it could rise again in US? Highly doubtful. We are officially in summer blockbuster season. It used to start on the Memorial Day weekend, but they've pushed it further up to spread out the mind-numbing, action-packed, dialogue- and plotfree blockbusters. The next one up, aimed at the teen market, is A Knight's Tale next week and then Pearl Harbor shows up on Memorial Day. Sarah, those two movies are at most rental places.

There is a chance to vote for your favourite "Bridget Moment" in this week's edition of Heat, my favourite has to be "The final scene", tel. 09009102142 with the "fight" as a close second. The results of the poll will be in Heat on sale on the 22nd May. Got to it!

Well Karen, I guess I'll have to widen my search - I've already tried the four video rental stores closest to where I live, and none of them had either film. On another note, I'd be very keen to view the interview Colin did on Rosie O'Donnell if anyone has it online... any chance of that? I looked at the Rosie website to see if I might even buy a tape of the show, but no joy. If anyone has a copy they would be willing to part with, I'd be happy to pay for your trouble (as well as shipping). Please email me at sarah_mccoy@hotmail.com. Thanks!

A rental place that used to have several of his older films no longer does. The store had to reconfigure to make room for more games and DVD's and the vid department has suffered :(

(Mark) Surely it still has "more legs" than Drivel and Hello Mummy? This is from People Mag's '50 Most Beautiful' issue (which I just happen to have *heehee*), from the Picks and Pans section: Now Playing Bridget Jones's Diary Total fun. A London working gal (RZ) must decide between rival beaus (HG and CF--some choice!) in a smart, sassy romantic comedy. Driven It's the pits. A tire opera, written by Slyvester Stallone, featuring all the usual cliches encountered in racing dramas and adding a few new ones... The Foresaken Vampires are preying on attractive young adults in the Southwest. Starts off okay, then hurtles downhill fast... Freddy Got Fingered Why? Tom Green is the guy to blame. #### You get the picture. There were 3 more listed. Memento and Spy Kids fared well while One Night at McCools was deemed 'frantic but unfunny.' And Mari must have written their review for The Hello Mummy Returns: 'The sequel to 1999's 'The Mummy' is so cheesy that it ought to come with a warning for the lactose-intolerant.' Too bad the kids who'll see this thing don't read reviews--one can hope for another Godzilla, though. After all the hype and some great trailers, negative word-of-mouth killed that movie pronto (deservedly so. It sucked. Never knew the Brooklyn Bridge was that long ;-).).

Karen - Colin fever has hit and that has affected prices. You're telling me, I decided to test the water with a spare old mag (and before I get tomatoes thrown at me - I did offer it to anyone on these hallowed boards a good while back but I suspect everyone had procured a copy from our usual contacts as I had no takers) and I can't believe what the current bid price is...this is a Sunday supplement magazine. A copy of Great Scaachi's finest hour (;o) went for over $100 - just imagine what our keepsakes would fetch *grin*! Welcome newbies!

Ann: A rental place that used to have several of his older films no longer does. The store had to reconfigure to make room for more games and DVD's and the vid department has suffered :( I just have to tell you, it is quite opposit here in my local Blockbuster. I went there last weekend (I'd not been there for three or four weeks). To my surprise and delight, I found whole row of FP in the middle senction of New Realses which faces the main entry. The cover of the new FP is different from mine though (a lady, with a black bra hanging in front of her face, wears only a balck underwear with hands covering breasts and an half Colin's back facing the lady - what a shame!). And five copies of MLSF (used to be just two) right on the next self. I guess it is because of BJD ;-) I praise the good manager :-D

Hey Annie - what part of the States do you live in? Maybe I need to move... ;-)

(Eileen)And Mari must have written their review for The Hello Mummy Returns: 'The sequel to 1999's 'The Mummy' is so cheesy that it ought to come with a warning for the lactose-intolerant.' Actually, I'd put a warning on it for anyone who hasn't been frontally lobotomized.;-) Well, in the US Bridget is back on top of Stallone (hmm. . .that didn't come out right;-) Back at # 2 since the weekend, and should be at $50 million total after the coming weekend. Agree with Karen's weekend forecast. Hello Mummy will remain on top, followed by A Knight's Tale with Heath I'm awfully cute but can't act Ledger, then BJD.

...all you had to do was be in a theatre lobby last weekend, with the signs flashing all the "sold out" Hello Mummy times. *shaking head* Am even more outraged by studio talking heads saying that an 85-year-old woman like the film too! Am positive she didn't know where she was. ;-D

(Karen) Am positive she didn't know where she was. Absolutely. You know they're really stretching it when studio heads force their grandmothers to see their pictures.

Am positive she didn't know where she was. ;-D Poor thing probably wandered in from the home; was looking for TIOBE.;-)

Does anybody else have a problem with the fact that a Sylvester Stallone movie is #2 at the box office over a CF one I have, even that the director was in same high school as I

(Mari) was looking for TIOBE.;-) Pffffftttt! *wipewipe*

So, I was thinking last night when I couldn't sleep (or maybe I couldn't sleep b/c I was thinking) about the characterization of Mark Darcy in the movie. All the interviews and reviews and such have made a big deal about how Mark is stoic and silent etc.; CF said in the Fresh Air interview that he thought he was in the wrong century. (Disclaimer: I'm coming at this not having read the 1st book.) Obviously, Mark is not the garrulous life-of-the-party type; he's more thoughtful and introverted. But, couldn't a lot of his interaction w/ Bridget, awkwardness w/ her 'urban family', etc. be blamed on his bad experiences with his ex-wife? I'm wildly speculating here, and the movie doesn't say whether the cruel-raced ex-wife was *from* Japan or just of Japanese ethnicity, but it seems reasonable to assume that she wasn't someone he grew up with. So he went off to Cambridge, became a barrister and moved to London, and got involved with this somewhat exotic woman. She could have been a life-of-the-party type, lots of friends (like Catherine Zeta-Jones's character in High Fidelity), and he finds himself captivated. But then she screws him over by sleeping with Cleaver, and he retreats to his work and goes out with women like Natasha b/c they're 'safe' and won't do anything unexpected. Or I could just be thinking about this a little too much. ;)

(Mari) was looking for TIOBE.;-) Naw, was the afternoon feature at the home. She went cruising for more action. LauraT: from an Escherian standpoint, CF may have only wanted to place the object of HF's (or Bridget's) obsession into the present, where he would be an early 19th century guy in the late 20th century. There just aren't any 20th or 21st century Mr Darcy types nowadays...present company excepted. ;-D

(Laura T) (Disclaimer: I'm coming at this not having read the 1st book.) Wot?? You really must do this. It's a very quick read and is very funny. Or I could just be thinking about this a little too much. ;) Are you familiar with P&P? ;-)

Hi everyone! Here is the height of Drool obsession. I'm in the Bahamas on one-day stop on a cruise, and I found an internet cafe because I had to find out what's been happening here. I have definitely seen BJD too many times. Last night was someone's birthday, and the waiters sang happy birthday. I was sooo disappointed that there was no fight. A postcard had a recipe for a "blue coral" drink, made with rum and blue curacao. All I could think of was "There's too little blue food, in my opinion." Am goiing to take major S**T from sister-iin-law for sneaking off to feed my obsession, but it's worth it. Loved the TIOBE photo at 143. I bet it is from the scene in which Jack is on his way to dinner. I saw the London production (with Patricia Routledge), and the men wore dinner suits for that scene. Off-topic, I know, but am trying to use internet minutes efficiently. Laura, I agree with your thoughts on Mark's personality. He really isn't good at the social thing. At the book party, when he introduces NAtasha and Bridget with "thoughtful comments," his reference to her running around naked was an attempt (awkard tho it was0 at flirting. (IMHO) Must get back to ship for ANOTHER meal. CAn't wait to get home and read the postings more slowly!!

(Obsessed, I'm so obsessed.) (Karen) There just aren't any 20th or 21st century Mr Darcy types nowadays...present company excepted. I dunno. Have you ever spent much time w/ geeky male computer programmers? :)Plenty of them have that uncomfortable-in-social-situations with no real sense of humor thing going on. (BTW, no offense intended to anyone in particular; most of my friends are programmers, and I work in the computer industry myself. It's still true.) (Laura T) (Disclaimer: I'm coming at this not having read the 1st book.) (Eileen)Wot?? You really must do this. It's a very quick read and is very funny. Yah, I know. I'm on the waiting list at the library, as I'm trying to save money recently. :) Or I could just be thinking about this a little too much. ;) Are you familiar with P&P? ;-) Familiar, but never really an obsessed Austinite. But I'm watching P&P2 again starting tonight with a couple of friends, and will probably come up with more half-baked psychological theories. ;) (Kate F)At the book party, when he introduces NAtasha and Bridget with "thoughtful comments," his reference to her running around naked was an attempt (awkard tho it was) at flirting. Yes, seems like this was the first scene that he showed some 'edge' and showed he had a sense of humor and wasn't just this dour, humorless snob. Partially instigated, perhaps, by Bridget's jumper comment.

Oh, I definitely agree about the "thoughtful comments" at the launch party. I thought Mark was being "cute", since he noticed Bridget had introduced with comment AND made the jumper remark.

I have to agree with Laura T about the computer geeks. I live and work in the Silicon Valley, and man, you can't get much geekier than some of these guys!! While many of my closest friends are CGs, most of them make Mark Darcy look like Don Juan personified, they are so completely awkward with the opposite sex. *lol* Yes, love the twinkle in MD's eyes when he adds the bit about "naked in my paddling pool.." Love those eyes! *sigh*

(Karen) There just aren't any 20th or 21st century Mr Darcy types nowadays. Karen, what qualities were you referring to here? The social insecurity (aka, "geekinesss";-) or the more positive qualities, e.g., honor, courtliness, seriousness? I was wondering what qualities CF was referring to, as he noted that he didn't know any Mark Darcy types, which I found surprising. Maybe it's just me, but I disagree wih his assessment of Mark as someone who is pretty much an anachronism.

Certainly not the geeks, plenty of them. The combination of honor, courtliness, class-consciousness, etc., is a rarity in that combination. Yes, there are plenty of class-conscious types, but do any of them act truly honorably? ;-D

I've read there was a spoof of the BJD poster for one of your politicians? Here's a bit of the writeup from the Independent. Too bad no pic. WILLIAM HAGUE has had his knockers in the past, I know, but never quite in the way that he had them on the front cover of The Mirror yesterday. Faced with the agonising choice between celebrity cleavage and current affairs the paper had cunningly chosen both. In a spoof of the poster for Bridget Jones's Diary, Mr Hague's touchingly optimistic features gazed upwards from above Renee Zellweger's alluring electoral gap. "Job prospects vv bad," concluded the 7 June entry from Bridget Hague's diary. Then, just in case any readers found themselves politically aroused by the Conservative leader's new look, came the small print - "Warning: Voting for Hague can seriously damage your health".

Karen, The photo of William Hague that occupied the cover of the Mirror was the publicity shot of Bridget in the pink top and black boots looking up at the camera, with William Hague's face superimposed on Ren�e's. Trust me, you don't want to see it. God love him, Hague is not visually appealing. A feeble attempt by the Mirror to link in the forthcoming election with the major popular culture talking point.

Gotcha ;-D

(Mari)I was wondering what qualities CF was referring to... I disagree wih his assessment of Mark as someone who is pretty much an anachronism. Personally I'd put this down to ODB's compulsion to babble occasionally ... as we know he does... (shock, horror...) ;-D

(Kate) I'm in the Bahamas on one-day stop on a cruise Wow, you have got it bad, haven't you? Sorry to tell you, but there is no cure (at least not until TIOBE comes out...[sorry Bethan, couldn't resist]:-D). Speaking of TIOBE (here come the OT police): (Kate) I bet it is from the scene in which Jack is on his way to dinner. I saw the London production (with Patricia Routledge), and the men wore dinner suits for that scene. Tsk. Pic is not from TIOBE, is from AC. Technogeeks have stuck facial hair on Rupie in manner of Colorforms. If you listen closely, you can hear him say 'but I want to be a prefect!'.

Re Mark as an anachronism and class-consciousness, etc.: It seems like Mark's version of class-consciousness is more like a bit of intellectual snobbery - like he's sick of dealing w/ stupid people and going to inane parties where no one talks about anything substantive. If that's it, I know several people in the real world who have that characteristic. :)

So as not to ruin it for people, there's a link to missing bits from the movie at the Spoiler topic (126)

I loved MD's remark to Bridget about her running around naked in his paddleing pool. I feel, not only was he trying to show he has a sense of humour too....but that he was trying to keep up with Bridget in the wise crack deparment. I mean we know SHE has no problems saying exactly what she feels, and if that is a dig at someones geeky looking sweater, so be it. He knows she will put him down if she gets a chance,( as revenge for him puting her down at the turkey curry buffet )so this is his sense of survival makeing him get the first litttle dig in. There are some HUGE similarities with the Lizzie/Darcy verbal sparrings at Netherfield in P&P and this little Bridget/Mark exchange, aren't there ? Mr Darcy and Mark Darcy both know their amours have the power to run rings around them verbally and make them feel pretty silly for their snootiness. So they both decide to be the verbal hunter as opposed to the hunted and when you take it in that light, its quite romantic, isn't it ?

One of my favourite parts (I bet you're surprised to hear there are several) was when Mark went to Bridget's flat and they were talking about how old they were when she was running around naked and one of them said he was 8 and she was 4 and Bridget said "quite pervy really" and Mark said "I like to think so". Ooohhh, nearly slid of the seat; again!

Has this been mentioned before, but during the Today interview Colin made a joke about the fact that he and Hugh were trying to fight like they did in Hidden Tiger Crouching Dragon? and someone in the audience or maybe it was the crew let out a very loud laugh. I thought it was a cute moment too. What a lovely man.

Fave bit of acting (not quite the same as fave scene)--loved Colin breaking into a run as he went up the stairs after the "just as you are" scene. It showed he was not a prematurely-middleaged *****, but still had his youthful bounce :)

......and buns of steel Ann!

Ughhh! I do not know if this is off topic but the Gnat wants to return (?) to the Stage. I wonder what gave him that idea? http://www.peoplenews.com/news/0,3430,5250,00.html

Return(?).....well, he said in an interview that he'd appeared in rep once and hated it...but there's a whole heap of publicity waiting there for him. Will no doubt be the theatrical event of the decade. :-(

But they won't see his trademark blinking from beyond the third row!!

But they won't see his trademark blinking from beyond the third row!! I won't jump for Row A seats for this one...someone else can have 'em...

Watershed performance!?! Puh-lease...! I really think RZ is the only one who might qualify for that description, although she's given them before ;-)

Grant�s role in Bridget Jones�s Diary was widely regarded as a watershed performance, giving him the kind of acting credibility that he has been denied since his typecasting in Four Weddings and a Funeral and Notting Hill. Typecasting? So in 4W&F he was a charming romantic lead. In NH he was a fumbly romantic lead. In BJD he was a caddish romantic lead. Whee, big diff. :)

the kind of acting credibility that he has been denied since his typecasting in Four Weddings and a Funeral and Notting Hill They can't BOTH be typecasting. You can't typecast an unknown. They should give the guy a break (oh, hang on ... watershed performance ... they are giving him a break. Sorry)

(Allison) Ughhh! I do not know if this is off topic but the Gnat wants to return (?) to the Stage. I wonder what gave him that idea? Ask "who" gave him that idea, Allison. ;-) The article also says: "He (Hugh Grant) also played Hamlet in an unusual production in Nottingham, in which he wore a Star Trek shirt." Wonder if he intends to return as Hamlet? [Now on which board does this belong? There's no Huge Gnat Squashing board yet nor a Hamlet board.]

I can see it now, at the Bafta's next year. Best British Film - BJD Best Performance by an Actress - RZ and Best Watershed Performance - HG and I bet no CF, oh stop it Ann!

Hmmm, would you all give RZ a Bafta? That would be two American actresses in a row... However, I'd say RZ has it locked up to win another Golden Globe because they separate comedy/musicals from dramas. Plus, that fight scene is worthy of a tongue-in-cheek MTV movie award.

Plus, that fight scene is worthy of a tongue-in-cheek MTV movie award. Of course it is! They were imitating FTHD after all. ;-) Saw BJD again in London. That neck nuzzling! It was great seeing Mark and his wife and Ben. Warm greetings.

Hi, all! Been lurking for over a month now and enjoying the CF conversation. But had to come out from the shadows to share this editorial from one of Canada's national newspapers today that ran with a frontpage caption: Mark Darcy would be crazy to marry Bridget Jones. Then inside the article is called "Dream On, Narcissistic Singletons". The author compares Bridget to Elizabeth Bennet, and doesn't understand why perfect Mark Darcy would care for her (my girlfriend wondered the same thing after our first viewing of BJD). Had a great picture too, but not sure how to get it posted. Also couldn't list specific site for the article so here it is in full. You can find it at the www.nationalpost.com site by doing a search. "Dream On, Narcissistic Singletons Bridget Jones is a Tramp by Barbara Kay Bridget Jones is the newest star in Hollywood's galaxy of lovable ditzy dames. Some reviewers dwell on actor Renee Zellweger's spunk in gaining 20 pounds for the role and gamely jiggling it for her frequent close-ups, others on her facility with Britspeak, or her impeccable comedic timing, but all are in accord that she is adorable. That Bridget is also a chain-smoker, a binge eater, and a heavy boozer -- not to mention a gal who finds being sodomized in a new relationship a rich source of mirth for post-coital banter -- hasn't seemed to raise the rather obvious question: What could hero Mark Darcy, so handsome, noble, intelligent, sensitive and altogether perfect in every conceivable way, possibly see in this loser that would make him want to marry her? Much has been made of the loose association between Bridget Jones's Diary and Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Coy references to the Austen novel abound in the film: Mark Darcy's name, of course, reinforced by actor Colin Firth being cast in both the modern role and that of Mr. Darcy in the made-for-TV version of Pride and Prejudice; in the Pemberley Press, referring to the original Darcys' palatial estate; in the celebrated opening sentence of Pride and Prejudice, "It is a truth universally acknowledged ..." echoed in Bridget's thoughts; and in the embarrassing mother, the unethical wrong suitor, and other minor details. Most importantly, the general theme concerning mistaken assumptions about character drives the plot in both cases. In Pride and Prejudice, Mr. Darcy initially associates the heroine, Elizabeth Bennet, with the vulgarity and ignorance exhibited by her mother and some of her sisters. Elizabeth is negatively influenced regarding Mr. Darcy through false allegations by the charming but dissolute Mr. Wickham, who briefly wins her affection, then ditches her to marry an heiress. Of course Elizabeth ends up with Mr. Darcy, after many excruciating detours, just as Bridget ends up with her Mark Darcy after a disastrous affair with Daniel, her feckless, womanizing boss. Is Bridget Jones then meant to be a latterday incarnation of Austen's favourite character? If that is indeed so, what a v. sad commentary on the postmodern female singleton, a word coined to describe thirtysomething women desperate to marry, such as Bridget. The pressing need for a husband -- a rather dire economic necessity for Elizabeth Bennet, a social one for Bridget -- is about all they have in common. The socially adept, circumspect, restrained, and always appropriate Elizabeth Bennet was funny because she owned a rapier wit and courageously applied it in her relationships. The socially inept, verbally incontinent Bridget Jones is funny because she gets drunk at parties, humiliates herself wearing the "universally acknowledged" uniform of exploited women (she spends many long minutes in the film spilling out of a Playboy bunny costume), frequently blurts out self-defeating indiscretions, or unthinkingly flashes her fanny at an entire viewing nation. Elizabeth Bennet wins her man through self-discipline and strength of character, showing evidence at every plot turn of an incorruptible value system, extreme dignity under duress, and respect for others with high moral standards. Bridget wins her men through casual sexual availability, signaled by hooker-style office wear, or chasing them in the streets clad in panties. Bridget is impulsive, Elizabeth is patient. Bridget rates a man's interest in her by the urgency of his lust; Elizabeth senses interest via the emotional 19th-century Braille implicit in a series of exquisitely nuanced conversations. You know her marriage to Mr. Darcy will succeed because her mettle has been exposed and tested in the crucible of a caste-dominated social ordeal. Eminently well suited in character, if not social standing, Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth deserve one another because they are moral peers -- and prove it. Strangely, almost two centuries later, in Bridget Jones's Diary, Mark Darcy has morphed very little from the original Mr. Darcy. In Colin Firth's faithful role reprisal, he is still rich, scholarly, respected, diffident rather than haughty, and slightly prickly in much the same way as Jane Austen's Mr. Darcy. But Bridget is so very far from replicating Elizabeth that even in a comedy their union is by any stretch of the viewer's imagination inexplicable. Mark claims to like her "just the way you are," but that is pure wishful thinking on the part of the writers: How could a cloned Mr. Darcy like anyone so common, so lacking in self-respect, so, so, so not Elizabeth Bennet? This movie appeals to today's young women because they like the message: Here is a heroine who indulges all her appetites without curbs or consequences; who mooches through life with next to no ambition (an attitude reinforced by an equally hopeless circle of friends); who exercises bad judgment in choosing men and precipitately promiscuous behaviour in holding them. Yet in the end, none of that matters because manly Mark Darcy, gentle, upright, honourable Mark Darcy, who can have anyone, is certainly going to choose to marry Bridget Jones. Why? Because she is just so ... adorable? Dream on, narcissistic singletons. Who doesn't love a great Ditzy Dame? Consider Judy Holliday, Katharine Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, Lucille Ball, Mary Tyler Moore. They were all adorable. But the roles they took, however kooky, were those of nice girls a man could bring home to mother. Bridget Jones' and Mark Darcy's screen characters illuminate a curious postmodern gender disparity in moral standards, considering they were both supposedly inspired by the Austen original. For the gentleman is a gentleman still, but the lady has become a tramp." Whew! Talk amongst yourselves...

Thanks, Maryou. The pics at the site are a couple we've seen (Ruby Wedding with Natasha and 1/2 of the turtleneck shot...BJ only). http://www.nationalpost.com/search/story.html?f=/stories/20010512/561746.html (Barbara Kay) Is Bridget Jones then meant to be a latterday incarnation of Austen's favourite character? No. v. simple. Why can't these people understand that?' OK, am going back to National Post's lead article on "Seeking Status Through Killer Abs" ;-D Now this is lead in is funny: http://www.nationalpost.com/features/sixpack/051201story1.html Of course, it ends with:"Those abs are looking pretty good," my fianc�e said two nights ago as I prepared for bed. I'll show her.So, I'm guessing Barbara Kay looks down her long nose at Peter Scowen or refuses to speak to him. ;-D So to be so OT. Never again.

Very interesting article, Maryou! I can see it now, at the Bafta's next year. Best British Film - BJD Best Performance by an Actress - RZ and Best Watershed Performance - HG and I bet no CF, oh stop it Ann! Oh, it's quite nice to have something to moan about! BTW this year's BAFTAs ceremony is being screened tomorrow. I wonder if CF will be there (doubt it somehow) and what clip of DQ will be shown (and if DQ will win!)

Welcome Maryou But Bridget is so very far from replicating Elizabeth HF never intended to clone Lizzie. And this is fiction not a docu-drama, or a morality play. Don't think Nat'l Post has a sense of humor.

(Evelyn) Don't think Nat'l Post has a sense of humor. Go read the abs article. It's hysterical.

Ughhh! I do not know if this is off topic but the Gnat wants to return (?) to the Stage. I wonder what gave him that idea? Got the idea because of a pending British actors' strike? (though he works enough in the US to avoid it, I suppose.) ------- Dream On, Narcissistic Singletons : Bridget Jones is a Tramp : by Barbara Kay Sounds like a smug married to me :)

this is fiction So was P&P. All the main characters seem to be mirrored in BJD - except Elizabeth B. Why? Maybe on purpose - OK, I buy it. BJ is shown as self-centred, shallow, disorganized and professionally unsuccessful. She is endearing and intelligent, of course, but if you cut out her internal monologue, her most prominent characteristics are her pretty face, appealing smile and keen interest in sex - hardly enough to make her seriously interesting, particularly to serious people like Mark Darcy. But the twist is in that Mark Darcy does not really want anyone serious. Natasha bores him silly. He does not want a trophy, he wants a toy. In that role, BJ will be perfect. Her total lack of homemaking skills will not matter of course, he is rich and can afford housekeeping staff. So far, so funny. The last point is similar to our previous discussions of Fever Pitch: will the attachment last beyond the first years of intense romance? Does anyone care? ;-)

BJ is shown as ... professionally unsuccessful. As much as the movie/Bridget's point of view makes of this (and Daniel, too, I suppose), she *was* working for a fairly successful publishing company, doing PR for seemingly notable books. Her job obviously wasn't a deep passion of hers, but she did pull out her work ethic when she had to. I think she was doing pretty well - better than lots of other people, anyway. IMO. :)

I think she was doing pretty well Surely not really when she became a TV producer? In any case, she looked bored or panicky or dropping clangers at work most of the time and her supposed success was not well exposed (apart from her underwear and bum, that is - but then the film was evidently more to do with her bum than her real life ;-)). Anyone making the sort of speech she made at the book launch wouldn't last long in PR business, IMO - except if she was sleeping with the boss, maybe... ;-) So I think it can be viewed from a variety of points - assuming no bias, of course. :-) (And let me make it clear - I DID enjoy the film!)

P.S. Holiday break, anyone? :-) http://www.stokeparkclub.com/spc/film_locations/bridget_jones.html

Ooh, a nasty and (sorry, Barbara Kay-any relation to Mary?) funny article to debate. Thanks, Maryou. I particularly enjoyed: How could a cloned Mr. Darcy like anyone so common, so lacking in self-respect, so, so, so not Elizabeth Bennet? Heaven forbid if we all have to be Elizabeth Bennet to earn the attentions of an educated, intelligent man. Who could live up to that ideal? As for "common", why not use it to describe someone ordinary, someone lacking pretensions. That would be reason enough for Mark to like her "just as you are". who exercises bad judgment in choosing men and precipitately promiscuous behaviour Pffft. What makes Bridget promiscuous? I see her sleeping with just one man throughout the whole film. (Echo) will the attachment last beyond the first years of intense romance? Does anyone care? Agree. Why does a relationship have to last? Or lead to marriage? They sometimes just run their course and that doesn't mean it's a disaster. Will now go to other suggested links for more fun.

Allison) Ughhh! I do not know if this is off topic but the Gnat wants to return (?) to the Stage. I wonder what gave him that idea? Renata: Ask "who" gave him that idea, Allison. ;-) The article also says: "He (Hugh Grant) also played Hamlet in an unusual production in Nottingham, in which he wore a Star Trek shirt." Wonder if he intends to return as Hamlet? I wonder if there are people here in the US that would plan a trip to the UK 10 months in advance to see HG do Shakespeare or even on stage......*shaking head* Not me.

9th viewing turnes up this: Gnat needs a better antiperspirant! In the pond scene, just when he stands up in the boat, we get a long-shot from Darcy's point of view. Massive underarm wetness is clearly visible :)

*hee hee* First time you noticed? Poor Colin was probably dying in that jumper, while rowing around all day and having to feather-fan Natasha. ;-D

*hee hee* First time you noticed? I guess I'm a little slow :)

BJD holds #3 spot in US this weekend with estimated ticket sales (Fri - Sun) of $4.5 million! Great showing from this film, which was most certainly NOT expected to continue to do well against the "summer blockbusters"! Please note that BJD is estimated to beat out Sly's "Driven" by $1.5 million. This film has definitely got "legs", and most of the people I've convinced to see it have gone back for at least one repeat viewing.

(a) How could MD like BJ? Specifically, her most prominent characteristics are her pretty face, appealing smile and keen interest in sex - hardly enough to make her seriously interesting, particularly to serious people like Mark Darcy I don't think Barbara Kay has any idea how men think. (Not sure men have either, actually). BUT, MD may easily have seen past her most prominent characteristics to notice: Her wit (e.g. over-30s and their scaly skin); her courage (in dressing as a bunny-girl or public speaking); her caringness (in not wanting famous authors to be offended); her sense of fun (at the lake). (b)He does not want a trophy, he wants a toy. In that role, BJ will be perfect. Her total lack of homemaking skills will not matter of course, he is rich and can afford housekeeping staff. Oo, I hope we less rich men are not meant to be picking life partners based on home-making skills these days. Or trophies. Or toys. Personally I would prefer a smart, non-devious type who might help remedy a certain want of liveliness.

UK tabloid The Mirror is today sensationally beginning a serialisation of the sequel to BJD! (erm, hasn't TEOR been on sale for ever?) Anyway, for anybody who hasn't read The Edge of Reason and wants to catch some of it in instalments, it's at http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/145/new . At least the 2 pictures used are sans HG.

Whoops, no that link is here. I meant www.mirror.co.uk/shtml/FEATURES/P24S2.shtml

And one more try to get a link: http://www.mirror.co.uk/shtml/FEATURES/P24S2.shtml (Boss, feel free to delete these 3 messages)

(Mark) I don't think Barbara Kay has any idea how men think. I believe Barbara Kay subscribes to the Daniel Cleaver position: "Don't care. Make it up." ;-D The Mirror is today sensationally beginning a serialisation of the sequel ...and Helen keeps raking it in. Speaking of which, the charity book (originally for Comic Relief), Bridget Jones's Guide to Life, is now on sale in bookstores in the US. Saw it at Borders. The cover said $1 of every sale would go to an African charity.

I don't think Barbara Kay has any idea how men think. (Not sure men have either, actually). That settles it. ;-) her courage (in dressing as a bunny-girl... Oh, puh-leeeeeeeease.... ;-D men are not meant to be picking life partners based on home-making skills these days. Or trophies. Or toys. OK, correction: for "toy" read "playmate". :-) (Seriously, I do think Bridget has a potential for turning sassy into savvy with MD at her side. WELL, WHO WOULDN'T???!!! Lucky bitch. ;-P)

men are not meant to be picking life partners based on... And don't you start me on that subject!!! ;-P :-)

Someone has written, asking for the manufacturer of the red diary that is used. Any idea? Letts?

Although neither has signed, this ought to put an end to all the ridiculous misinformation that RZ doesn't like London and doesn't want to work there again. From Ananova: Renee and Ewan to star in Knickers Ewan McGregor and Renee Zellweger are to star as bitter enemies and lovers in the new World War Two comedy drama Knickers. The FilmFour-backed adventure focuses on the London store Selfridge's, which housed Winston Churchill's secret telephone exchange. Zellweger will play a girl whose German father takes her home to live in Berlin shortly before the outbreak of war. Her character, described as a sweet reluctant recruit to the Nazi party, is sent to Britain to work in the store's lingerie department. But at night she has to hide herself away and then intercerpt messages coming to and from Downing Street. She forgets about her allegiance to the fatherland when she falls in love with a layabout junior sales executive, the part earmarked for McGregor. The film, which is being produced by Lee Thomas and directed by John McKay, will be made in Britain next Spring. An insider told Ananova: "Renee is simply perfect. Though her price has soared because of the success of Bridget Jones, she is always keen on good scripts. "We are very hopeful of securing her services."

World War Two comedy drama Knickers. Bridget a spy? LOL. ..." will be made in Britain next Spring. Maybe she'll stay on for EOR. Though her price has soared because of the success of Bridget Jones, Hooray! She deserves it. Hope her co-star's has too;-)

(KarenR) Speaking of which, the charity book (originally for Comic Relief), Bridget Jones's Guide to Life, is now on sale in bookstores in the US. Saw it at Borders. The cover said $1 of every sale would go to an African charity. I'm in Boston, and have read this in bookstores for three weeks now. (mild spoiler) Shag: Hugh Grant. Marry: Mr. Darcy, because as much as I dislike him, he has 10,000 a year (and beeyootiful hair). Throw off a cliff: Ayatollah Khomeini.

(and beeyootiful hair) Poor child... Enjoy it whilst it lasts... ;-)