Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy: A heartwarming must-see
A love letter to its fans, Bridget Jones is back for the fourth instalment of the iconic romcom series
Picture the scene: you’re in a packed cinema, you’ve got a bucket of popcorn bigger than your head, and everyone’s favourite romcom heroine is once again gracing the big screen; it’s shaping up to be a fantastic evening.
Bridget Jones’s Diary has been a huge part of many of our lives, with countless young women growing up watching the franchise (personally, I’m pretty sure I watched the first movie at much too young an age, but the damage is done. I am who I am now, and arguably we can blame Bridget for that), so the anticipation for this final instalment was high. I laughed out loud and wept a lot, but one thing is for sure: this movie did not disappoint.
Now, proceed with caution, this review will contain some minor spoilers. You have been warned.
With Bridget (Renée Zellweger) finding herself once again single, this time a widow after the untimely death of her husband Mark Darcy (Colin Firth), the movie was able to reminisce on moments from earlier in the series and had quite a nostalgic feel. We watch Bridget once again sit as the only singleton at a dinner party of couples offering their unsolicited advice, we watch her fumble awkwardly with her various romantic suitors, and ultimately, we watch her traverse her slightly chaotic yet still lovely life.
In terms of romance, Bridget learns to navigate the scary world of modern dating, from Tinder to ghosting, and everything in between that comes with her summer romance with younger man Roxster (Leo Woodall). Let’s be honest, the Bridget Jones was never going to be girlfriend to someone named Roxster.
After a disastrous orienteering school trip that Bridget finds herself volunteering for, her second suitor becomes apparent: Scott Wallaker (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a teacher at the Darcy kids’ school. That man is just as handsome in a chunky knit jumper as Mr Darcy himself, and he is, in many ways, just as good a match for Bridget.
Any review of this movie cannot forget the one and only Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant), now ‘Uncle Daniel’ to Bridget and Mark’s kids, Billy (Casper Knopf) and Mabel (Mila Jankovic). Cleaver is charming as ever, in his classic ‘bad boy’ manner, however he seems to have softened somewhat since his last appearance, taking on babysitting duties and repairing his relationship with his own teenaged son.
We also see Bridget grapple with the struggles of single parenthood, juggling her career, relationships, friendships, and caring for her children, all while dealing with her own grief. As ever, Bridget remains relatable to many women, regardless of age, relationship status, family situation, or whatever else, she is all of us.
The Darcy kids bring with them a whole new level of emotion to the franchise – Billy singing a heart-wrenching tribute to his dad certainly had me reaching for the tissues. Another lovely touch was one final moment in the movie showing the young Mr Darcy wearing his father’s iconic Christmas jumper, if you know you know.
The film concludes with Bridget and the whole gang at her New Year’s party, which I must say I would love to be invited to. It is simultaneously heartwarming, heartbreaking, and an all-round must see for any Bridget fans. So, who wants to come with me to watch it again?