A 32-year old Brit starts off the new year by trying to lose 20 lbs, get in a stable relationship, deal with her parents and keep track of it all in her diary.

Based on the popular novel, Bridget Jones's Diary is definitely a chick flick. But that's not really a bad thing. The element of the diary is not used all that effectively, early on there's some writing on the screen as if it's a diary entry, but that is quickly, inexplicable and noticeably absent from the rest of the film. Which makes you wonder why it appeared at all. But the characters in the movie are all pretty interesting and well developed. The dialogue, while not fantastic, is very good and often very humorous.

So, if the phrase 'chick flick' doesn't make you go screaming into the night, and immediately search the internet for "Sylvester Stallone Movies", you ought to get a pleasant kick out of Bridget Jones's Diary.

Directed by Sharon Maguire.

Also available: Bridget Jones-The Edge of Reason (2004)