Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy

'Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy (2025)' is very different to its predecessors, much more sombre and more contemplative. Rather than struggling with beauty standards and societal pressures, Bridget struggles with grief and coming to terms with a world which no longer has Mr. Darcy in it. Set four years after his untimely demise, the film puts enough distance between his death and its events that it isn't constantly consumed by sadness, focusing more on the reality of what happens just after the period of time usually covered by stories concerning tragedy. This allows the affair to totally avoid being dour, and it isn't even all that downbeat. It naturally fluctuates between making you laugh and making you cry, its general sadness counterbalanced by momentary happiness and the understanding that life has to go on and that there's nothing wrong with that. The central drama isn't so much 'boy' (Leo Woodall) vs 'man' (Chiwetel Ejiofor) insofar as a love triangle is concerned (the men share only a single scene), but instead one of Bridget learning to accept the absence of her husband and to live her life again. There are romantic elements of course, but this is the least 'rom-com' in the traditional sense of all the Bridget movies. It also might just be the best. Renée Zellweger is really solid as the lead character, easily slipping back into the role that arguably defines her career, and it's a treat to see characters (including Hugh Grant's Daniel Cleaver, who is pretty much unchanged by the year-long period in which he was declared dead but was actually stranded on an island somewhere, and Emma Thompson's frank-as-always Dr. Rawlings) and locations and even character setups from its predecessors. It's pretty funny and it's pretty moving. In fact, it's pretty much everything it needs to be. It does feel a little long, and certain elements in its third act feel rather rushed. Plus, Bridget doesn't have the strongest chemistry with one of the men (I won't spoil which) and some aspects of the picture feel more obligatory than natural. Still, it's a really solid sequel that examines relatable and important themes in an effective way. It totally justifies its existence.

The original Bridget Jones was a refreshing, likeable , classy and breezy comedy with an impeccable (accent) by Renee Zellweger, ably supported by Hugh Grant and Colin Firth. I have watched it many times over the years and certainty felt this should have remained a stand alone film. However, the money beckoned and I didn't bother with the previous two films and having heard it's light and fun we watched the fourth instalment.

It turns out to be a lame and lazy concoction rehash of the first film with posh North London types, a bland and soulless sub plot involving a biology student that goes nowhere, Bridget and her irritating kids stuck up a tree and a unfunny scene of a dog in a pond saved by aforementioned bland man. They even rehash scenes from the first film during the end credits.

Hugh Grant injects some humour and he is fast becoming an effective middle aged actor (the patchy Heretic, the villain in the sublime Paddington 2) .

Sadly Ms Zellwegers' face , like Nic Kidman, is such a distraction that it takes one out the film. Part of the beauty of the fist B. J was her naturalness in looks, now she looks strained and comical; even creepy.

Enough now Working Title!

"Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy" is a beautiful, heartfelt return to the world of Bridget Jones, bringing both nostalgia and a fresh, deeply emotional perspective. This time, we meet Bridget as a widow and single mother, trying to navigate a new chapter of her life while raising her children. The film delicately explores grief, resilience, and the messy, sometimes hilarious reality of starting over. While it still has the humor and charm we love, there's an added depth that makes this story feel more mature and profoundly moving.

Renée Zellweger shines once again, effortlessly embodying Bridget's warmth, wit, and vulnerability. Her performance is both endearing and authentic, making us laugh one moment and tear up the next. The film perfectly balances lighthearted moments with genuine emotion, reminding us why Bridget has always felt so real and relatable. Whether you've been a fan since the beginning or are just meeting her now, "Mad About the Boy" is a touching, uplifting addition to the series - one that stays with you.

There was a time when Bridget Jones's Baby felt like the perfect send-off for our favorite clumsy, charming, and endlessly relatable heroine. So when Mad About the Boy was announced, there was a mix of excitement and hesitation. Did we really need another Bridget Jones movie? Was this going to undo the closure we had? But as soon as the film starts, you realize-there's still more to tell. And more importantly, there's still more to feel.

This final chapter of Bridget's journey is a bittersweet one. It deals with grief, loss, and moving forward in life even when it feels impossible. The film beautifully captures the struggle of giving yourself a second chance, of learning how to heal while still carrying love for the past. If you've followed Bridget since the very first film, you'll feel every bit of her emotions. She's still the Bridget we love, but she's more mature now, wiser, a little less clumsy, a little more self-assured. Life has shaped her, as it does to all of us. And that's what makes her story so heartbreakingly real-she's growing, changing, adapting, but at her core, she's still Bridget.

And honestly, this couldn't have worked without Renée Zellweger. There is no Bridget Jones without her. She slips back into the role like she never left, embodying every awkward entrance, every grand gesture, and even the tiniest mannerisms-the nervous smiles, the way she tilts her head when receiving bad news-it's all still so Bridget. Zellweger's performance is nothing short of stunning. She is Bridget Jones, and no other rom-com character can ever quite match what she brings to this franchise.

The film also introduces new love interests-Roxster (Leo Woodall) and Mr. Wallaker (Chiwetel Ejiofor). They bring fresh dynamics to Bridget's life, but they don't quite match the charm and chemistry that Mark Darcy or Daniel Cleaver once had. Roxster is fun but a little two-dimensional, existing more to push Bridget's journey forward rather than being a compelling character himself. Mr. Wallaker, on the other hand, is serious-maybe a little too serious. Unlike Mark Darcy, who had a dry wit that balanced Bridget's chaos, Wallaker feels a bit plain. It's hard to imagine him truly being the one for Bridget.

But Mad About the Boy isn't just about romance. It's about life. It's about parenting-the struggles of balancing kids, work, and personal happiness. It's about friendships-because Bridget wouldn't be Bridget without her loyal, slightly chaotic circle of friends. The film reminds us how much friends shape our lives, offering love, support, and, of course, comic relief. And speaking of comedy, the humor here is just right-not too over-the-top, not forced, just classic Bridget Jones wit.

That said, while the film gives us a solid and heartfelt ending to Bridget's story, the final scene feels a little... abrupt. It's good, but it's not as satisfying as it could have been. After everything Bridget has been through, she deserved a stronger, more definitive farewell.

Verdict Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy is like Avengers: Endgame for our aunts and moms. It's a long-lost reunion that feels earned, deserved, and deeply emotional. Best sequel since Bridget Jones's Baby, this is the perfect film to watch with a cup of hot chocolate, wrapped in a blanket, feeling all the feelings. Bridget Jones, thank you for everything.

Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy delivers exactly what fans expect-heartfelt emotion, slapstick comedy, and romantic fantasy-while offering just enough fresh twists to keep things engaging. Picking up four years after Mark Darcy's death, the film follows Bridget as she navigates modern dating, leading to plenty of hilarious and endearing mishaps.

Director Michael Morris enhances the storytelling with immersive visuals, particularly in a standout single-shot sequence that captures Bridget's chaotic yet lovable world. The humor shines in classic Bridget fashion, from an awkward school interview to a laugh-out-loud tree rescue scene. Renée Zellweger effortlessly reprises her role, supported by a stellar cast including Chiwetel Ejiofor and Leo Woodall. Though some jokes about technology feel a bit dated, the film's emotional depth-especially in Bridget's journey of self-reinvention-keeps it grounded.

With a nostalgic yet refreshing energy, Mad About the Boy is a charming return to Bridget's world, reminding us that love and laughter only get better with age.