Pride and Prejudice vs Bridget Jone's Diary

It is not a hidden fact that Bridget Jone's Diary is a spin off of the classic Jane Austen novel, Pride and Prejudice. The movie adapts the relationship of Elizabeth and Darcy in some similar ways, but the differences stand out especially with the little details. The film adapts their relationship by using lots of humor and focusing on just those two, no other daughters or distractions besides her mother of course. The characteristics of Bridget that are seen as turn offs, are more modern and prevail throughout the story compared to Elizabeth's opinionated and outspoken ways. For example, her drinking and smoking problem are not parallel to the original novel. Also, Bridget is made to make herself more of a target in public settings than Elizabeth ever did, which always happens to be right in front of Darcy. Some of these examples are the outfit at the opening Christmas party, her bunny costume, and her press introduction and the book release. However, in Bridget Jone's Diary, the man who Bridget happens to keep finding herself not able to escape is also named and referred to as Darcy. In Bridget Jone's Diary, Bridget is much more straight forward with her feelings of Darcy or regarding him compared to Elizabeth's in Pride and Prejudice.
The movie makes it a point to highlight the background details of Darcy and Elizabeth's relationship by using specific elements like music. At the opening scene at her mothers buffet, the background music when she enters the room and is about to see Darcy, the song talks about not being able to keep your eyes off of another individual. While they are talking, the music goes on to talk about how you need the other and nothing else. As soon as Bridget overhears his insults of her, the music slows down and switches to talking about being lonely. The music added to the effect of their relationship throughout the movie. In terms of little details, a big difference I noticed between Pride and Prejudice and Bridget Jone's Diary is the proposal scenes. The setting and intensity in Pride and Prejudice is much more interesting. The nervousness is written all over Darcy and he is unable to hide it. In Bridget Jone's Diary, it is not as serious thanks to body language and no fierce eye contact. The little details show the major differences between the interpreted version of the classic novel.
The treatment of gender throughout Bridget Jone's Diary stands out in a unique way by using female empowerment to prevail, but there is also the idea of a happy heterosexual marriage is the only possible end goal. While Bridget is still her own heroine, she is constantly running circles around Mr. Cleaver and Darcy. I believe this movie reinforces both new and old stereotypes of gender. For example, Bridget is a stand up woman who is not afraid to be herself. She acts the way she believes if okay and is rarely discouraged to be who she is. On the other head, this movie reinforces the sexualizing of the female body and turning it into a selling point. There are many comments made about Bridget's body, such as; her little boobs, her underwear she wears, the firehouse video zooming in up the skirt, and the bunny costume she wears. The word choice of this movie when talking about Bridget and her body causes viewers to sexualize her or experience her as a window item.

Below is a video comparing the two proposal scenes of Pride and Prejudice and Bridget Jone's Diary. The differences in body language and meaningful conversation can be easily seen.
Proposal Scenes