Zellweger with Firth as love interest Mark Darcy

The repetitive nature of the book - such as the cat and mouse courtship between Bridget and her boss Daniel Cleaver - is distilled into a fewer frisson-filled scenes.

More refreshing perhaps is that the screen version of Bridget, though concerned about her poundage, is nowhere near as obsessed as her literary original.

Though purists might object to this, there can be no criticism of the film's star, Ren�e Zellweger.

American Zellweger casts aside all pre-release doubts over her ability to play the British Bridget.

No trace of her native Texan twang mars her plummy Home Counties accent. Her performance is enhanced by the ease of her understated sarcasm and self-depreciating wit.

And Zellweger caps her authenticity by looking, most of the time, thoroughly dazed and dishevelled.

Hugh Grant is a revelation as love rat Daniel Cleaver

Bridget also spends much of the film torn between her love rat boss Cleaver (Hugh Grant) or reliable lawyer Mark Darcy (Colin Firth).

Many females in the audience will undoubtedly leave the cinema feeling just as undecided. But there is more to Firth and Grant than mere hunk value.

Pride and Prejudice hero Firth again manages to smoulder behind a stiff upper lip in the way only he knows how.

He also masters the art of speaking volumes about his feelings for Bridget without uttering a single word.

But when it comes to lasting impressions, it is Grant who wins the day.

Gone is the floppy-haired, lovelorn fop we are so used - and tired - of seeing him play in films such as Four Weddings and Notting Hill.

Instead, Grant emerges revitalised and basked in a new forceful light as the unfaithful, sex fiend Daniel.

But if Grant's scene-stealing does not do it for you, there is a gaggle of strong support characters to enjoy.

Gemma Jones and Jim Broadbent put on a strong sideshow as Bridget's warring parents.

And Sally Phillips - from Channel 4's Smack the Pony - is characteristically engaging as Bridget's foul-mouthed journalist friend Shazza.