Bridget Jones's Diary (2001)
- Eagle-eyed viewers have noticed a hidden easter egg referencing Sharon Maguire's previous film in the background of the opening scene.
- During the filming of Bridget Jones's Diary, Renée Zellweger improvised one of the most famous lines in the movie.
- Before Renée Zellweger was cast, several major A-list stars turned down the lead role because they felt the script was too risky.
Bridget Jones's Diary is a 2001 British romantic comedy directed by Sharon Maguire, based on Helen Fielding's 1996 bestselling novel. Renee Zellweger stars as Bridget Jones, a 32-year-old London singleton who begins the new year with a resolution to improve herself — lose weight, drink less, quit smoking, and find a sensible boyfriend. Her love life becomes complicated by two men: Daniel Cleaver, her charming, roguish boss played by Hugh Grant, and Mark Darcy, a seemingly cold but decent human rights barrister played by Colin Firth.
Renee Zellweger, an American actress, gained approximately 20 pounds and mastered a convincing British accent to play Bridget, and her performance was so wholly committed that British audiences largely embraced her as one of their own. The casting of Colin Firth as Mark Darcy was a deliberate meta-joke — Fielding had modeled the character on Firth's Mr. Darcy from the 1995 BBC Pride and Prejudice.
The film's frank, funny depiction of a woman's insecurities, bad decisions, and ultimate self-acceptance resonated powerfully with audiences. Bridget Jones's Diary earned $281 million worldwide on a $26 million budget.
