Are you fond of romantic comedies? That’s good, because today we dive behind the scenes of the cult film Bridget Jones Diary. This romantic comedy won our hearts with its comical situations and quirky humor. Behind the memorable scenes are also hidden fascinating anecdotes. VSis a gift: here are 5 to know about Bridget Jones Diary.
American actress Renée Zellweger was not the first choice
Before Renée Zellweger took over the reins of the character, the names of some British actresses, like Kate Winslet and Toni Collette, were considered for the role. It is after two years of research that producers find their rare pearl.
Renée Zellweger was thus finally chosen for the role. This story reminds us how much a film’s cast can influence its perception by the public!
The author of the Bridget Jones saga was inspired by one of the works of the novelist Jane Austen
The works of the English novelist and woman of letters Jane Austen are recognized worldwide. Even if Bridget Jones Diary is not openly adapted from one of the author’s collections, we find some similarities between the film and the novel Pride and Prejudice.
Indeed, the male hero has quite a similar personality to that of Marc Darcy (Colin Firth). Bridget (Renée Zellweger) has a family that tries to settle her as quickly as possible, as is the case with Elisabeth Bennet, the great heroine of Jane Austen’s collection.
The fight scene between Daniel and Marc was improvised by the actors
Among the many nuggets of anecdotes that surround Bridget Jones Diary, one of them stands out in particular. You probably remember that scene where Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant) and Marc Darcy (Colin Firth) battle for Bridget’s heart. Imagine that it was (almost) totally improvised by the actors!
Stuntmen just went through the window of the restaurant. Result: we see a duel that is both hilarious and mythical. The director, recognizing the genius of their improvisation, chose to keep the grip in the final edit.
Renée Zellweger devoted herself body and soul
Some actors stand out for their exceptional commitment to their roles. Renée Zellweger is a perfect example of this in Bridget Jones Diary. To bring this iconic character to life, the actress devoted herself body and soul. She not only has mastered the British accentbut it also has gained weight to fit into Bridget’s shoes. The goal: to faithfully reflect the complexes and doubts of the character.
For several weeks, Renée Zellweger also worked for a British publishing house. According to her, she needed this in order to get deeply into the skin of the character. His dedication to the role even extended to Bridget’s little habits and quirks.
The scene under the snow was shot in summer
When we see Bridget and Mark Darcy find themselves under a soft blanket of snow, one can hardly imagine that the actors were sweating under their winter costumes. Yes, this was all just an illusion!
Of many snow cannons have indeed been installed in the streets of London to bring us this most legendary final scene. This cinematic trick reminds us that the magical universe of cinema can often defy reality…
By discovering these anecdotes about Bridget Jones’s Diary, it is clear that this iconic film holds much more than meets the surface. These little details add a touch of depth to this beloved romantic comedy!