Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy

The lovably awkward Bridget Jones first graced our screens in 2001 when, through her diary, we learned all about her desire for self-improvement and romance. Three films, a baby, one wedding, and two fights between Colin Firth and Hugh Grant, and our favourite hopeless romantic is back, but this time her life has taken a more morbid turn. In Mad About the Boy, Bridget (Renee Zellweger) now has two children, but finds herself a widow after the loss of husband Marc Darcy (Firth). Vowing to take back the reins of her life, she returns to the dating world and suddenly finds herself with a 29-year-old toyboy.   

Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy delivers everything we have come to expect and more. Full of the comical quips and escapades that are loved so dear, it takes little to no time to feel the warm embrace of another Bridget Jones adventure and this time the cast is bigger than ever. The film uses the opening moments to introduce old faces, including Grant, Sally Phillips, Shirley Henderson, James Callis and Emma Thompson, and also welcome in new additions, including Bridget’s children and new love interests, Roxster and Mr Wallaker. From there, the viewer is carried through a number of very relatable experiences, from returning to a modern work environment, the chaos that comes with young children and, of course, online dating.

We knew it full well already, but Zellweger and Bridget Jones are truly a match made in heaven. No one else could have played and embodied the character to the same unreachable standards (let’s not forget she was nominated for an Academy Award for her performance in the role). Leo Woodall continues his rise to Hollywood stardom as the charismatic park ranger Roxster, taking part in some highly entertaining sequences and the children make wonderful additions to the story, giving the humour in the film an Outnumbered feel.

It’s witty, sophisticated, chaotic and charming all in one, however, what stands out most of all is how surprisingly sad and tender the movie is. The passing of Marc has understandably left an enormous hole in Bridget’s life and her children without a father figure. In this fourth chapter, her life is moving on but in a way that has been out of her control and director Michael Morris handles these profound moments with beautiful care and affection. The third director to work on the franchise, Morris does well to continue the themes and style that has been so iconic to each instalment and makes Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy a strong and powerful end to what has been a heartwarming series from start to finish.

Guy Lambert

Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy is released nationwide on 14^th February 2025.

Watch the trailer for Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy here: