Dear Emily,

Remember I promised to write you as soon as I saw the Bridget Jones sequel? Well, I attended a screening of The Edge of Reason last night -- and I'm pleased to report that you can stop worrying about whether or not it’s as much fun as Bridget Jones’s Diary. But it’s a different kind of fun, Emsy. There’s more slapstick comedy this time. Just wait until you see Renée Zellweger in hilarious scenes like the ones where our dear, clumsy Bridget tries her hand at skiing and sky diving.       

In your last letter, you asked if anything bad could possibly happen to Bridget after she and Mark Darcy became lovers. A lot of things, it turns out. Darcy, played again by that yummy Colin Firth, starts spending quite a bit of time with his slim, beautiful assistant. Bridget, more “full-figured” than ever, becomes so jealous she begins spying on Darcy. She even interrupts important meetings with some very embarrassing antics. When Bridget discovers how different Darcy’s political views are from hers, she wonders if the two of them really belong together. I hate to tell you this, Emsy, but they break up. And guess who then puts the moves on Bridget again? None other than lecherous cad Daniel Cleaver. I’m sure you’ll be glad to know your favorite, Hugh Grant, returns to liven things up in that role.

Believe it or not, Emsy, Cleaver and Bridget are assigned to work with each other on a television program filmed in Thailand, where the temptation of Cleaver’s charms is almost too much for our heroine. Can’t tell you how this happens, of course, but Bridget winds up in a Thai jail and makes delightful new friends of the women imprisoned there. They all end up singing Madonna’s “Like a Virgin.” Honest! I’m not kidding.              

Speaking of music, I think you’ll love the soundtrack. So many romantic songs like “Everlasting Love” are included and used in all the right places. 

Who does Bridget end up with? You can probably guess, but that’s another thing I won’t tell you. Still, the way Bridget discovers what true love is all about seemed more interesting to me than how the film ends.   

I hope you get to see The Edge of Reason soon, Emsy. Be sure to buy your popcorn and find a seat in the theater early. You wouldn’t want to miss the film’s opening shots that spoof The Sound of Music and those James Bond movies. As far as I’m concerned, they’re worth the price of admission -- especially Colin Firth running through a meadow in slow motion. (Be still my heart.) 

Please write soon!

Your v.g. friend,

Betts

(Released by Universal Pictures and rated “R” for language and some sexual content.)