by Patrice Downing, Contributing Writer
As Bridget Jones (Renée Zellweger) famously stated all the way back in 2001, “It is a truth universally acknowledged that when one part of your life starts going okay, another falls spectacularly to pieces.” Bridget definitely experiences both ends of that spectrum in the most recent installment of the franchise, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy.
Full disclosure: I have been a fan of this franchise from the very beginning, so I went in expecting to enjoy another ridiculous romp with Ms. Jones. What started out as a passing curiosity at seeing Colin Firth portray a 2000’s era Mr. Darcy after his turn at the role in the 1995 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice has turned into a 20-year love of rewatching a goofy girl and her ever-expanding lists of antics. I enjoy that the quality managed to stay consistent without any significant drops as the second and third movies came out, making it a fun yearly weekend binge. And to my delight, the latest addition has managed to maintain the standard.
We last left Bridget almost 10 years ago, having finally married human rights lawyer Mark Darcy after giving birth to their son Billy (Casper Knopf). Everything falling into place for the late to love TV producer, it appeared Bridget was finally getting the happily ever after she had been seeking since beginning her diary. Unfortunately for Bridge, it was not to last, as she finds herself widowed, settled into a routine filled with pajamas, parks, and parent teacher conferences, and though she doesn’t know it, ready to embark on a new phase in life.
Fans of the franchise will recognize the full complement of characters returning for Mrs. Darcy’s newest escapades. One of the biggest strengths of this film is the writers’ ability to work in everyone, from Bridget’s trio of besties (Sally Phillips, Shirely Henderson, and James Callis), to former boss and lover Daniel (Hugh Grant), and her straight-talking gynecologist (Emma Thompson) in natural ways. As much as I absolutely adore Thompson, I was concerned when I saw her appear in the trailer. I thought for sure she was being shoehorned in, but her appearance delightfully makes sense, as she is far and away my favorite part of the last film. Because of course taking her daughter Mabel (Mila Jankovic) to see a trusted OBGYN over an actual pediatrician for a common childhood ailment makes sense in Bridget’s world. It also leads to some plot-advancing advice, along with some of the bigger laughs of the movie.
Following this visit, Bridget decides it’s time to return to work alongside longtime friend and television personality Miranda (Sarah Solemani). Thankfully, rather than returning to the well of focusing on her weight, Bridget is dealing with the issues of being a single mother of a certain age returning to the dating world. Along with juggling her return to work and romance, she is continuing to adapt to her life as a widow. To its credit, the film doesn’t shy away from the serious nature of her emotional circumstance, taking the time to explore both her feelings and the way others treat her as a result. Even more impressive is that time is taken to allow Daniel to similarly examine his life and relationships, as he too grapples with the turning of time.
But it’s not all reflection and growth,— there are plenty of laughs peppered in. Bridget is exactly the kind of parent you would expect. Running late, slightly unprepared, pajamas in public, covering cursing in front of the kids, but at the same time the most devoted, loving, and fun parent a child could ask for. Pushy parents, tyrannical teachers, and an irritatingly perfect nanny all generate some of the giggles that keep the fun flowing between the more poignant moments of the film. However, Bridget herself is the main source of silliness, from her bouncing on the bed dance party with her children, getting stuck in a tree, inability to grasp the concept of proper emoji use, inappropriate outbursts, and of course, clothing selections. My only real complaint about the film is that it may be just a smidge too long, spreading out the laughs a bit when it takes time to linger on the more sentimental scenes.
The last item worth a quick mention is the sprinkling of details from the previous films. Within the first 10 minutes, we get references to past dialogue, coupled with the same newspaper article that previously clued us in that Daniel is indeed alive from the last film. Pay attention and then check your observations at the end, because the credits are loaded with side-by-side comparisons, sneaking in a few extra laughs.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed what is being billed as Bridget’s final chapter, though I’m actually hoping to see her return in another 10 years. If, like this edition, the films continues to evolve, it would be interesting to check in with Bridget as she sees her children dating, marrying, and becoming parents themselves. How fun would it be if a college-age Mabel came to her mother for dating advice, or Billy brings home a fiancée and Bridget has to navigate meeting in-laws and plan a wedding?
Rating: High Side of Liked It
Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy is currently streaming on Peacock
You can read more from Patrice Downing, and follow her on Serializd and Letterboxd