For years, the Bridget Jones franchise was a sequence of diminishing returns, a string of off-kilter romances and mishaps valiantly making an attempt to recapture the madcap spirit of the 2001 authentic starring Renée Zellweger.
So right here we’re, in 2025, the place assist for mid-range films, particularly romantic comedies, has fallen to the level the place a slasher film about Valentine’s Day is in theatres whereas Bridget Jones: Mad In regards to the Boy is shunted right into a strictly streaming launch on Amazon Prime Video.
Which is a pity, as a result of to my full and utter shock, the brand new Bridget Jones, the fourth within the franchise is a demented delight.
A warning for individuals who have not but seen the film: Spoilers are forward.
Renée Zellweger is again within the position of Bridget Jones for the fourth installment of the sequence. CBC Information’s senior leisure reporter Eli Glasner says beneath its normal comedic tempo, Mad In regards to the Boy is a ‘stunning’ story about grief and love.
A refresher course on Jones’s chaos
Because the trailer reveals within the opening second, Bridget Jones is now barrelling into her 50s as mom of two and a widow. Beforehand, she had married the rock-steady Mark Darcy (Colin Firth) however, because the movie opens, Darcy is now a haunting reminiscence who winks out and in existence, a tasteful reminder of how these we love linger on.
The movie begins with a refresher course in her calamities — the cursing, the narration of Jones’s internal voice (extra cursing) are all there, now with an added maternal factor. The opening scene finds her attempting to make some type of dinner for her children, whereas zipping up her gown, which results in setting off the fireplace alarm. Her household might have grown, however Bridget continues to be Bridget.
Whereas the long-running sequence has managed to outlast even Harry Potter, this fourth movie does not skimp on star energy. Together with a lot of Jones’s returning buddies, Hugh Grant is again because the devilish Daniel, who’s oh-so-good at being so dangerous. As well as, Emma Thompson holds nothing again as Jones’s frank gynecologist. Plus, new to the Bridget Jones Cinematic Universe is Chiwetel Ejiofor, who performs Mr. Wallaker, a stuffy faculty instructor with a penchant for whistle-blowing.
Bored with watching Jones moping over Darcy, her pals hard-launch her again into the relationship scene. Enter Leo Woodall as Roxster, a park ranger who simply occurs to rescue Jones and household from a tree. Quickly the 2 are texting and romance blooms.
Whereas Jones’s relationship with Roxster is about as inconceivable because the 29-year-old’s identify, Woodall’s golden retriever power makes him an uncomplicated pleasure, who accepts Jones and appears smashing rising from a pool in sluggish movement.
Wanting past love
A part of what elevates Mad In regards to the Boy is the plot, which extends exterior the boundaries of the basic love triangle. Whereas Jones is feeling the love, her son Billy is distant, his father’s demise nonetheless a shadow in his life.
This brings Jones into proximity with Billy’s instructor, the aforementioned whistle-blower Mr. Wallaker, performed as an amusing curmudgeon by Ejiofor. Whereas an argument over the character of demise in entrance of Billy’s class is lower than elegant, it highlights how this Jones has far more than romance on her thoughts.
It might be simple to winge in regards to the middle-class fantasy land Bridget Jones occupies: a pre-Brexit economic system the place a single mom can assist a mortgage and household on a TV producer’s wage, and all of her pals are fabulously rich. However the writing is so good and the performances so playful that I am inclined to offer the deficits a cross.
At their worst, the weaker variations of Bridget Jones appeared extra of an affectation — a whirling dervish, ricocheting between romances. Surprisingly with each Zellweger and Jones now firmly in their 50s, the result’s essentially the most pure, confident model of the character in ages. There may be consolation within the chaos. Bridget Jones is a girl who accepts herself, her form and her flaws. She shags, she drinks, she curses and infrequently arrives at college in her pyjamas. (Who hasn’t?)
Mad In regards to the Boy additionally serves as a reminder of Zellweger’s comedic chops, fearlessly flinging herself right into a sequence of hilarious cringe-worthy moments. Hidden below the acquainted quirkiness is a great sharp story about grief, love and discovering your method on a path you by no means deliberate for.
Disgrace we could not watch it with pals in theatres.
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