Bridget Jones Diary

Task 2 research into existing products

Rom-Com: Bridget Jones diary 2001 (Sharon Maguire)

Synopsis

Bridget Jones is an average women who is struggling against many things in life like her age her job and her lack of a man in her life and her various imperfections. As new years is approaching she decides on a new year’s resolution in which she decides to take control of her life, she decides to keep a diary in which she will tell the truth.  The story follows Bridget's unsuccessful attempts to control her chaotic life, balancing her attempts to give up smoking, drinking and lose weight with those to find the perfect man. Her friends Jude, Shazza and Tom offer hopeless advice as Bridget finds herself torn between two very different men one the seductive boss she cannot resist the other a snooty acquaintance she finds herself falling for.

Mis en scene

Taxi establishes the location and setting which also suggests britishiness and also emphasises the location of London because that’s where you normally find cabs. The couples in the background emphasise her loneliness. The snow establishes the time of year which is Christmas which is the season of love and festivity which emphasises the reason for the snow. The village shows her up bringing and the house in which her parents live which emphasises her character qualities which she has. The titles of the film are white and hand written which suggest themes and connotations of love and romance. The titles show purity and suggest loneliness. The music is peaceful and romantic creating a calm and loving atmosphere. 

Camera angles

At the start of the sequence we see a medium close up of Bridget Jones as she walks into her house panning as she walks. This shot is introducing the character to the audience. This shot allows us to see the character and what she looks like. It will also allow us to see what she is wearing which will resemble her class and status. It also allows us to see where she lives which also sets the scene.

Another camera angle that is within the film is a close up of the reindeer on Mr. Darcys top. This shows that it’s a festive time of year which the reindeer suggests is Christmas. This allows us to see what the character of Mr. Darcy and what his class and status might be within the film.

Another shot that is within the film is a shot reverse shot of a conversation between Bridget and Mr. Darcy. This shot establishes that two characters are having a conversation. It allows us to see the expressions on each of the characters whilst they are talking which might reflect the emotions

The film also consists of a medium close up of Bridget in her flat. This shot allows us to see the feelings and emotions of Bridget it also allows us to see the surroundings and also a bit of what environment she is living in.

Sound and editing

The film consist of digetic and non-digetic sound. 

The non-digetic sound consists of the narration through out the film explaining her feelings thoughts and opinions.

 The digetic sound consists of the dialogue of the film and also the festive music at Bridget’s mom’s house.

  

The film also consists of incidental music but turns digetic as it fades to her house, the song that is being played is “all by my self” which reflects her as she is still single.