Renée Kathleen Zellweger was born April 25 1969 in Katy, Texas, USA. Her parents were Emil and Kjellfrid Zellweger. Dad was swiss born while mum was Norweigan. Her parents married in 1963 and Renée is their second born child. Her brother Drew was born on February 15, 1967. Renées interest in acting began

while at high school continuing when she attended the University of Texas. It was here where she first considered that an acting career was a viable option. Initially she stayed in Texas in Texas after graduating. This led to roles in films such as "Reality Bites" (1994) and "Empire Records" (1995). After this came a sequal to the "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" and a meeting with Matthew McConaughey was working on a project that Zellweger was interested in. She auditioned and won the role in a film called "Love and a .45". It was was a role that provided enough incentive for her to move to Los Angeles. Her next role was in "The Whole Wide World" (1996) and this led to her big break when Cameron Crowe cast her as the lead in his 1996 hit, "Jerry Maguire" where she starred along side Tom Cruise. She next starred with Meryl Streep in "One True Thing"(1998) and then in "Me, Myself, and Irene" with the zany, brilliant comedian Jim Carrey. 2000 was a great year for Renée Kathleen Zellweger, the girl from Texas when she played the lead role in "Nurse Betty" and was rewarded for her performance by winning a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Comedy/Musical. Her form and success has continued this year in the critical acclaimed title role of Bridget in the smash hit comedy, "Bridget Jones's Diary". Other films Zellweger has appeared in include "The Batchelor" and "Deceiver". The Story "All women keep score. Only the great ones put it in writing" Those who have read Helen Fielding's best-seller Bridget Jones's Diary will be pleasantly surprised by the screen adaptation because it captures the heart soul and spirit of Bridget Jones wonderfully. Bridget [Renée Zellweger] is 32, single, unattached, drinks too much, smokes too much and weighs too much. That doesn't leave to much, now does it. Oh yes their is because her friends are just as zany as she is. It's Xmas and that means the annual pilgrimage home for mummys famous Turkey Curry Buffét. It turns into a disaster for Bridget when mummy tries to hook her up with lawyer Mark Darcy [Colin Firth]. Mark is about as impressed with Bridget and her clothes [which bear a close resemblance to the carpets] as she is about him in his reindeer jumper. Back at work and Mr [titspervert] Fitzherbert is still checking Bridget out but soon there will be some in-office flirting. Ah Bridget, all it takes is a mini skirt and a bit of cleavage to get attention and it soon comes from her boss, Daniel Cleaver [Hugh Grant]. While they hit it off and life takes on a new meaning for Bridget it turns out that Daniel is a dirty rotten two-timing scoundrel. New resolution, drink less, smoke less, eat less, exercise more and keep a diary. Now that should prove successful. Poor Bridget, forced to chuck in her job and at 32 is still single. But wait, Mark is about to re-enter the scene as a possible candidate who may just be able to fill that void in Bridgets life. Its all good fun and there are certainly plenty of laughs and much magic in Bridget Jones's Diary, so much so that you'll want to see it again. This is a smart comedy that will appeal to both men and women thanks to fun performances by Hugh Grant and Colin Firth. The characters are wonderful and Bridget Jones's Diary moves along at such a cracking pace. Supporting Stars There is so much depth in all the characters that in their own way, each of the supporting cast are shining stars in their own right. I think this is what makes Bridget Jones's Diary so bloody enjoyable. A damn good cast.

What The Critics Say "...its one of the more delightful experiences." Paul LePetit THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH "...with just the right combination of charm, humour and a pronounced human touch." Leigh Paatch HERALD SUN "...its a delight." Peter Thompson SUNDAY CHANNEL 9 "Women here and abroad are going to laugh with her, cry with her, steam with her, frost with her and totally identify after this gloriously full, heartfelt, generous performance." Susan Stark DETROIT NEWS "A film full of wit, warmth and honest, knowing humor, topped off with a plethora of excellent performances." Mark Adams HOLLYWOOD REPORTER "Its cast sparkles, much of it is genuinely hilarious and it communicates its heroine's emotional panic with precision, wit and style." William Arnold SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER "One of the most genuinely funny romances for some time." Liz Beardsworth, EMPIRE MAGAZINE [UK] "Consistently, giddily witty, delivering one memorable zinger after another." Robert W. Butler KANSAS CITY STAR " ...the best date flick to come down the pike in an awfully long time... " Robin Clifford, REELING REVIEWS "A story like this can't work unless we feel unconditional affection for the heroine, and casting Zellweger achieves that." Roger Ebert CHICAGO SUN-TIMES "Warm and charming and often witty, it's as good a romantic comedy as has come out for some time." Jonathan Foreman NEW YORK POST "A delicious piece of candy whose amusing package is scrawled with bons mots distantly inspired by Jane Austen." Stephen Holden NEW YORK TIMES "Bridget feels refreshingly real." Jim Chastain NORMAN TRANSCRIPT "Faithful to its source, perfectly cast and even funnier than the book." Jane Crowther POPCORN "Delivers frisky fun for bruised romantics regardless of age, sex or nationality." Peter Travers ROLLING STONE "Cheerful, cheeky entertainment." Kenneth Turan LOS ANGELES TIMES "It's chock-full of delights." Michael Wilmington CHICAGO TRIBUNE The Verdict Outrageously funny. Wickedly raunchy and just so much fun. Bridget is a huge bundle of fun .. RATED MA15+

The Cast

Renée Zellweger .... Bridget Jones Colin Firth .... Mark Darcy Hugh Grant .... Daniel Cleaver Jim Broadbent .... Bridget's Dad Gemma Jones .... Bridget's Mum Sally Phillips .... Sharon 'Shazzer Shirley Henderson .... Jude James Callis .... Tom Embeth Davidtz .... Natasha Celia Imrie .... Una Alconbury Honor Blackman .... Penny Husbands-Bosworth James Faulkner .... Uncle Geoffrey Charmian May .... Mrs. Darcy Paul Brooke .... Mr. Fitzherbert Felicity Montagu .... Perpetua

Directed by Sharon Maguire Copyright ©2001 Miramax - All rights reserved