Bridget Jones's Diary 2001

Susan Stark, Detroit News: Women here and abroad are going to laugh with her, cry with her, steam with her, frost with her and totally identify after this gloriously full, heartfelt, generous performance. Read more

Gary Dowell, Dallas Morning News: True to its source and full of the book's trademark wit, style and good humor. Read more

Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune: It's chock-full of delights. Read more

Stephen Holden, New York Times: A delicious piece of candy whose amusing package is scrawled with bons mots distantly inspired by Jane Austen. Read more

Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader: It's so aggressive you don't even have to like it; the movie likes itself well enough for the both of you. Read more

David Edelstein, Slate: Let me say in Bridget Jonesy fashion that Zellweger is an irresistible sex goddess, hurrah!!! Read more

Peter Howell, Toronto Star: She had me from 'Hello.' Read more

Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times: Cheerful, cheeky entertainment. Read more

Eric Harrison, Houston Chronicle: Time and again, we find ourselves unsure how to respond. Read more

Steven Rosen, Denver Post: You feel like Diary is using its initial originality just to set you up for the same old thing. Read more

Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly: Zellweger is, in fact, thoroughly charming and believably British in the role. Read more

Rick Groen, Globe and Mail: Yes, the movie adaptation is just fine, thank you. Read more

John Anderson, Newsday: The thrust of the story is how miserable it is being a single young woman while still making it look like a lark. Read more

Peter Rainer, New York Magazine/Vulture: The film tries to position itself as a comic anthem for unshackled single-womanhood, but it's aimed at the bland middle. Read more

Jonathan Foreman, New York Post: Warm and charming and often witty, it's as good a romantic comedy as has come out for some time. Read more

Andrew Sarris, New York Observer: Ms. Zellweger makes the most of what she's given and manages to triumph time and again over her pratfalls and public rump displays. In a word, she's terrific. Read more

James Berardinelli, ReelViews: Features one of the most endearing and believable characters to grace the screen this year. Read more

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: A story like this can't work unless we feel unconditional affection for the heroine, and casting Zellweger achieves that. Read more

Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com: The script is teasingly, pleasingly raunchy in places. Read more

Carla Meyer, San Francisco Chronicle: Zips along at a laugh-a-minute pace and fully involves the viewer in Bridget's little slice of life. Read more

Jeff Strickler, Minneapolis Star Tribune: It's Zellweger's unselfishness that sells the movie. How many other young actresses would be willing to let a movie make fun of their fat thighs? Read more

Charlotte O'Sullivan, Time Out: This ultra-hyped adaptation of the ultra-successful Helen Fielding novel sends you out with a smile on your face. Read more

Susan Wloszczyna, USA Today: Where the highly likable actress [Zellweger] proves most valuable is in making us adore this insecure, clumsy, contradictory creature. Read more

Lael Loewenstein, Variety: As a film, however, item misses its mark, failing to capitalize on the staccato rhythms and sardonic wit of Bridget's inner life. Read more

Amy Taubin, Village Voice: The three-act structure is too predictable, and at 90 minutes, feels both draggy and hacked to the bone. Read more

Desson Thomson, Washington Post: How can you celebrate a movie in which Zellweger doesn't soar but simply avoids disaster? Read more

Stephen Hunter, Washington Post: All power to Firth the actor. He's the compleat Darcy, and he never wavers. Read more