Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason

British theatrical release poster

Directed by

Beeban Kidron

Produced by

Tim Bevan
Eric Fellner
Jonathan Cavendish

Screenplay by

Andrew Davies
Richard Curtis
Adam Brooks
Helen Fielding

Based on

Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason

by Helen Fielding

Starring

Rene Zellweger
Hugh Grant
Colin Firth
Jim Broadbent
Gemma Jones

Music by

Harry Gregson-Williams

Cinematography

Adrian Biddle

Edited by

Greg Hayden

Production
company

StudioCanal
Miramax Films
Working Title Films

Little Bird Limited

Distributed by

Universal Pictures
8 November 2004 (Netherlands, premiere)

Release dates

12 November 2004 (United Kingdom)

19 November 2004 (United States)

Running time

107 minutes

Country

United Kingdom
France
United States

Language

English
German
Thai

Budget

$40 million

Box office

$262,520,724

Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason is a 2004 English-French-American romantic comedy film directed by
Beeban Kidron, based on Helen Fielding's novel of the same name. It stars Rene Zellweger as Bridget
Jones, Colin Firth as Mark Darcy, and Hugh Grant as Daniel Cleaver. It is the sequel to Bridget Jones's
Diary (2001). There are significant differences in the storylines between the novel and this film
adaptation, and between the United States and United Kingdom versions of the film, including alternative
beginning and endings.[citation needed]
Plot
The film begins shortly before Bridget's mother's (Gemma Jones) annual Turkey Curry Buffet. Bridget
(Rene Zellweger) is ecstatic about her relationship with Mark Darcy (Colin Firth). However, Bridget's
confidence in her relationship is shattered when she meets Mark's colleague, the beautiful Rebecca Gilles
(Jacinda Barrett). Bridget meets her ex, Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant), at her job for Sit-Up Britain and is
offered a position as the "Smooth Guidess". Bridget initially refuses, quoting that Daniel Cleaver is a
"deceitful, sexist, disgusting specimen of humanity". Bridget is delighted to be asked by Mark to go to the
"Law Council Dinner", assuming he will propose afterwards, but because balding Tories quietly take
offense at her ad hominem claim that depriving the poor of welfare is something advocated by balding
Tories, the night does not end well.
After the "Law Council Dinner", Mark and Bridget have an argument and she walks away from him.
Mark goes to Bridget's apartment, apologizes, and tells her he loves her for the first time. Later in the
night, Mark asks Bridget if she'd like to go on a ski holiday in Vorarlberg, Austria. Once on the slopes, she
learns Rebecca recommended the vacation spot to Mark. While on the holiday, Bridget thinks she's
pregnant and after an argument concerning the future of children, the test is negative. After they return
home, Bridget and Mark have lunch with both of their parents. When the subject of marriage comes up

during conversation, Bridget is hurt by Mark's comment that it's not something they're even thinking
about yet.
Bridget hears a message from Rebecca and discusses the message with one of her alleged "friends", who
advises Bridget that if Mark says "I refuse to dignify that question with an answer", then you know he's
having an affair. Bridget, hearing that answer, breaks up with Mark and goes with Daniel to Thailand to
film "The Smooth Guide" with her friend, Shazzer (Sally Phillips). Bridget and Daniel flirt in Thailand.
Bridget loses faith in Daniel again when she is in a hotel room and notices that a Thai prostitute has
arrived for him. Daniel later says that the "gorgeous Thai girl" was revealed to be a "gorgeous Thai boy".
While packing up for their trip back home, Shazzer asks Bridget to put Jed's (Paul Nicholls) gift in her
bag. Bridget is arrested and sent to a Thai prison after airport security dogs recognize that there is a large
stash of cocaine inside the gift. In prison, Bridget spends her time sharing relationship stories with the
inmates and teaching them Madonna's "Like a Virgin". Mark arrives to tell Bridget that his superiors have
sent him to put her release in motion. Bridget identifies Jed on a picture as the man who gave Shazzer the
hidden cocaine. Mark walks away after clearly stating that he was just the messenger and stating that her
sex life does not interest him. In Britain, Mark confronts Daniel for not helping Bridget when she was
arrested, and they start a fight outside a museum. Eventually, Daniel swears off Bridget for good and
sarcastically suggests that Mark "just marry her."
When Bridget arrives in Heathrow Airport, she is an international human rights celebrity. She is greeted
by her parents who have been busy planning their vow renewal ceremony. At home, she is surprised by
her friends who inform her that Mark was the one who tracked down Jed and forced him into custody in
order to free her, in the process putting into motion the British Government, MI5, Interpol & many other
diplomatic big-wigs. Hopeful that he still loves her, she runs to his house. She finds Rebecca there and
assumes that there is a romantic relationship between Mark and her. Rebecca reveals that she is not
seeking an affair with Mark. She is instead infatuated with Bridget, who is flattered, but politely turns her
down.
Bridget confronts Mark at his legal chambers and asks him to take her back. Mark proposes to Bridget
and she accepts. The film ends with Bridget's parents renewing their vows and Bridget catching the
bouquet.
Cast
Rene Zellweger as Bridget Jones
Colin Firth as Mark Darcy
Hugh Grant as Daniel Cleaver
Gemma Jones as Mrs. Jones
Jim Broadbent as Mr. Jones
Celia Imrie as Una Alconbury
James Faulkner as Uncle Geoffrey

Jacinda Barrett as Rebecca Gillies

Sally Phillips as Sharon "Shazza"
Shirley Henderson as Jude
James Callis as Tom
Jeremy Paxman as Himself
Ian McNeice as Quizmaster
Jessica Stevenson as Magda
Paul Nicholls (special participation) as Jed
Wolf Kahler as Commentator
Catherine Russell as Camilla
Ting-Ting Hu as Thai prostitute
Jason Watkins as Charlie Parker-Knowles
Vee Vimolmal as phrao
Pui Fan Lee and Melissa Ashworth as Thai jail girls