At first glance you wouldn't think these two films have anything in common. Except, er, Colin Firth. But you might be surprised to learn that the author of the oh-so-funny Bridget Jones's Diary, Helen Fielding, based her novel on the classic Pride & Prejudice, which we read earlier this semester.
In the novels we see many comparisons- the ever embarrasing mother who tries her hand at matchmaking, the haughty Mr. Darcy (played by Firth) who goes by Mark Darcy in BJD, the charming bad boy from Darcy's past, in BJD this character is Daniel Cleaver, in P&P we knew him as the soldier Wickham. Both stories are set in England and both feature a loveable female protaginist. They also end happily and have their share of humerous moments. And both feature that issue that to be married or in a relationship is to be happy- that the single girl or woman is to be pitied, or at least by some.
The differences are obvious enough- the timing, the diary-like way BJD was written vs. the more formal P&P, the fact that there is sex in BJD, the fact that Bridget doesn't have a gaggle of silly sisters and Elizabeth does (along with the lovely Jane). Bridget Jones smokes and drinks and has a slight weight problem. And one could say she's not as confident or self-assured as the fiery Elizabeth Bennet. But, I love her all the more for it! Both novels are endearing, engaging and thought-provoking but while P&P will make you have warm visions of romantic balls, floaty pastel dresses and true gentlemen (and let's face it- a huge amount of sexual tension), Bridget Jones's Diary (the book and the movie) is likely to make you laugh out loud, even in a room full of people. Then everyone will stare and think you're crazy.
(And yes, that happened to me)
I love them both, for totally different reasons. So if you enjoyed Pride & Prejudice, take a couple hours to read Bridget Jones's Diary or simply watch the movie. There's a fight scene, some drunken escapades, a couple of bad sweaters, some very large underpants and as in the modern British style, liberal use of the f-bomb. I quite enjoy it :)
What's funny is throughout the whole time we were reading "Pride and Prejudice", I was comparing it to "Bridget Jones' Diary". There is so many similarities besides just the sexy Colin Firth; like the mother's wanting their daughters to marry. I do think there are also similarities in the characters of both MR. Darcys...bother more subtle and quiet. The mysterious sexy man, not the wild and in your face type.
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