By Glenn Kay
For the Sun
Rating: ««
out of ««««
Running Time: 125 minutes
This feature film from Universal Pictures is currently available to stream on Peacock with a subscription.
While this reviewer would admit he isn’t a big rom-com enthusiast, he will admit to having been charmed by Bridget Jones’s Diary, a zippy modern take on Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice with wit and warmth in equal measure. But its sequels have always felt unnecessary and left me cold. The stories in these follow-ups were excessively strained in their attempts to create new romantic conflict between the protagonist and her true love, while also becoming increasingly over-the-top with the comic scenarios.
The fourth chapter in the series is Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, which at least directly deals with dramatic issues plaguing previous installments by making the protagonist a widow. Four years after the death of husband Mark Darcy (Colin Firth), Bridget Jones (Renée Zellweger) has focused all of her attention on raising her kids. The lead endures and complains about the advice she receives on starting over, as well as enduring social interactions as a surviving spouse.
After choosing to restart her career as a T.V. show producer, she attempts to go out in public again, but finds the online dating world more complicated than anticipated. Still, Jones manages to make a connection with a young park ranger Roxster (Leo Woodall). Problems with her children at school also end up forcing the lead to interact with teacher Mr. Scott Wallaker (Chiwetel Ejiofor), who is blunt but well-intentioned.
One plus the film has going for it is that the majority of characters from previous entries have returned, adding something of a nostalgic feel to the proceedings. Obviously, there is a bittersweet tone for a few returning cast members, who only appear in the mind of the protagonist. The opening scenes are effectively somber and manage to anchor the story, allowing for some conflict as the entire family tries to deal with the loss of a loved one. This theme is carried throughout the story and keeps the film from overindulging in slapstick silliness with its central character.
Still, there is still some lightness and chuckles amidst the tragedy. This includes a funny interaction between Jones and her doctor (Emma Thompson), who between insults attempts to provide some encouragement. The same is true in regards to the update on ex-lover Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant), who now acts as a babysitter for the lead and, to a degree, is beginning to regret his womanizing ways. As Jones reenters the dating scene as a widow with children, there are a few amusing observations at how dramatically the process has changed over the past 20 plus years.
As you might have guessed, though, things still aren’t quite as sharp as in the original picture. This is a considerably longer film than the original by nearly 30 minutes. The pacing does lag in the middle when Jones embarks on a new relationship and begins to enjoy herself. There isn’t any real drama either as to the romance, as viewers will immediately see similar personality traits in one individual and guess how things will ultimately resolve themselves.
Despite the movie’s flaws, the reappearance of many familiar faces and a few funny bits does help elevate this effort. There is a nice sentiment about one of the characters never being forgotten and existing as a permanent fixture (at least genetically) in his children. If you’re entirely new to the series, then I would still suggest checking out the original and leaving it at that. But if you’ve been following this character over the years and can accept this film’s conceit, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy is probably the best sequel in the franchise and serves as a sweet close to the lead character and her unique journey.
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