1. Bridget Jones‟ Diary
Film Opening

2. British Romance Comedy
Generally, with a few exceptions, in British cinemas, the films are either American or
British. Despite this, the films do have many differences, which I think are important to
think about when making a film opening. Bridget Jones‟ Diary is a great example of
British comedy.
Typical codes and conventions of British comedy that BJD follows
• Sarcasm/irony (the jokes are usually made at the expense of someone or will often
involve being sarcastic- in BJD her voice over narrates the sarcasm)
• Supports the underdog- pulls down the authority (Bridget Jones is hardly the typical
heroin- she‟s slightly over weight, average job, smokes and drinks- not a good role
model. Yet in British films we are made to feel sympathy for the characters, and
therefore we want to support her)
• Starts gloomy and eventually ends happily (takes the viewers through a journey, and
follows the character through their standard lives, then an event happens, and we
watch them solve this till everything is back to normal, and better than the
beginning)
• Verbal wit over slapstick (Because the humour is very sarcastic this means that a lot
of the jokes are verbal, and it is less likely to see physical slapstick humour, because
this doesn‟t necessarily involve the audience in why its funny. When the audience
hear a joke and understand it, it rewards them and gives them a sense of
pleasure, but it doesn‟t give you much pleasure on your part to laugh at someone
making a fool of themselves.)

3. Introduction
• Typical British-romance comedy- mainly British
cast, British director, setting, comedy.
• Bridget is an average women, living in London who
works for a publishing company. For her new years
resolution she decides to take control of her life, stop
smoking, drinking, lose weight, and get a man. The film
is about her decisions and consequences of sleeping with
her boss, quitting and her quest to find love.
• Cast of Renee Zellweger, Hugh Grant and Colin Firth.
Although Renee Zellweger isn‟t British, she plays Bridget
as very English.

4.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ry-wwJ019s

5. The Opening
• Narration We hear Bridget‟s thoughts and commentary on the events
that are happening, this often involves verbal wit, and we can laugh at
what she‟s thinking, and not what she‟s necessarily saying. This also
combines with the fact is Bridget Jones‟ Diary- meaning that we hear
what you might right down in a diary- personal thoughts.
• “Turkey-Curry buffet” An unusual combination shows her mothers
apparent „madness‟ and the sort of life Bridget leads.
• “Gherkin was the height of sophistication” Shows that the mother may
be a fair bit older than Bridget, doesn‟t get out much, and still lives in
the „old- days‟ in Bridget‟s opinion.
• Mark Darcy Mr Darcy is from Pride and Prejudice- foreshadowing the
coming story line, and the complications in front of them, but that they
will eventually be together. Also Pride and Prejudice is a famous love
story which will appeal to the target audience of teenage girls and
middle aged women.
• “Great, I was wearing a carpet.” Verbal wit in the narration, it‟s funny
because the audience are probably thinking it, and then Bridget says
it, which connects the audience, as they are both thinking the same
thing.

6. • Different character archetypes These are evident in every film, however they are
exaggerated in comedies to make it funnier and more evident which persons role is in
the film. Comedies tend not to be mysterious as this will just confuse the
audience, their role is to connect with the audience and make them laugh, not
necessarily „hook‟ them to make them watch the film like they do in dramas.
• “How‟s your love life?” This shows the informality, and links with the fact that Bridget is
obviously made uncomfortable by her „Uncle‟. Also presents the theme of the film and
establishes it as a Romance comedy.
• “Mysterious Mr Right I‟d been waiting my whole life to meet” Shows that she hasn‟t had
any long term relationships, but is eager to have one. It also shows that she does
believe in love, and is just waiting for it. This can connect the audience because the
majority will be girls who are thinking the same thing- When will I meet my Mr Right?

7. Thanks!