BRIDGET JONES: THE EDGE OF REASON (2004). The gang's all back for this Beeban Kidron-directed sequel, in which we find out whether the path of true Bridget love can run smooth. Renée Zellweger packed on the pounds again, and though she finally looks healthy, shots of her ass from the most unflattering perspectives abound, and she's squeezed into clothes that would have fit her stick version. Yet in spite of obsessing over her physique, Bridget once again has Mark (Colin Firth) and the dashing but immature Daniel (played with relish by Hugh Grant) fighting over her, with Daniel happily exploiting the problems that Bridget and Mark soon run into. Bridget makes a fool of herself in all manner of social situations, and her insecurities eventually sabotage her relationship. She's an extreme version of all our fears about ourselves, and that's supposed to be reassuring -- if she can find love, who can't? But the character is still a cartoon, so real life never enters the picture. (108m)

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