Just in time for Valentines Day, Bridget Jones comes to the rescue in a season where the holiday of love has so far been dedicated to horror (Heart Eyes) and action (Love Hurts), the latter a violent Jackie Chan ripoff is the one Universal chose to release in theatres in the U.S., but the fourth go round with the delightful romantic comedy, Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy is the one that Universal should have given the valentine to U.S. exhibition. Instead is only being released in theatres internationally, and of course the U.K. for this very British movie. As for America? Well, you better subscribe to Peacock because inexplicably it is going day and date straight to streaming. Studios still aren’t learning the lessons of last year’s surprise holiday season theatrical hit, Anyone But You, or for that matter the Bridget Jones franchise itself which has delivered over $800 million worldwide from three films beginning with 2001’s Bridget Jones Diary, 2004’s Bridget Jones: The Edge Of Reason, and 2016’s Bridget Jones Baby. Along with its producer Working Title’s other movies like Love Actually, Notting Hill, About A Boy, and Four Weddings And A Funeral, Bridget Jones singlehandedly reinvented the romcom genre for a new generation thanks to Helen Fielding’s enormously popular books, and especially its star, Renee Zellweger whose spirit and zest for life and love fits seamlessly into a role that won her a first Oscar nomination and remains the character you can’t imagine anyone else doing.
Fortunately for romantics she agreed to a fourth film, almost a quarter of a century after the first, and this one is a total delight with Fielding collaborating on the script along with Abi Morgan, and Dan Mazer (who also worked on the third film). They have found the perfect way in after Bridget’s grown up adventures as a single young woman, then finally marrying the love of her life, Mark Darcy (Colin Firth) after an epic relationship with her one-time boss and decidedly not politically correct Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant) in previous films. When this one opens Bridget is now the mother of their 10 year old Billy (Casper Knopf) and 6 year old Mabel (Mila Jankovich), still grieving the loss of Mark who was killed four years earlier on a humanitarian mission. Billy especially is having a hard time without his father who we see only in flashbacks visualized through their memories of him. Firth returns briefly in the role.
At the urging of friends Bridget, though reluctant, starts to turn a page in an effort to find her true self at this point in life. She returns to the workforce as a TV producer, she dabbles in dating apps, and generally still feels her previous life is a thing of the past as she is also a devoted mother, having combative conversations with Billy’s no-nonsense science teacher, Mr. Walliker (Chiwetel Ejiofor) who does not offer much comfort about a life after death for Billy’s dad. Of course romance is the essence of these films, at least as far as audience expectations go, and Bridget finds herself slowly involved in a hot one with 29 year old Roxster (Leo Woodall), a strapping young man who rescues Bridget and her kids from a misbegotten adventure where they are stuck in the park’s big tree. Despite the age difference , and to the delight of her friends and colleagues , Bridget’s inhibitions sexually are thrown out the window, but can this ever work, especially when kids are involved?
As for Daniel, Grant is back after skipping the third film, and this time they have grown into a strong friendship as he even babysits for her when she is out on a date. His health problems also provide a chance to see their relationship evolve even with Grant’s limited screen time. Firth turns up occasionally thoughout in flashbacks, as the male spotlight this time is tossed to both Woodall and Ejiofor, both winning partners for the new Bridget.
This edition relies more heavily on sentimentality than previous films, and the Love Actually touch, though laid on rather thick in the second half will give the fans what they want: laughter and tears, plus a rooting interest in Bridget’s ultimate happiness.
Michael Morris who guided Andrea Riseborough to an Oscar nomination in the indie, To Leslie…, expertly takes on the directing reins with lush production values in every department, but clearly Zellweger doesn’t need much help to slip effortlessly back into her signature role. It is nice to see Emma Thompson return as her gynecologist, Dr. Rawlings who offers some wry advice, and there are poignant moments for returning mum and dad played again by veterans Gemma Jones and Jim Broadbent. Old friends also have their moments including Sally Phillips as Shazzer, Shirley Henderson as Jude, and James Callis as Tom, along with Sarah Solimani’s Miranda, and Neil Pearson returning as her past editor Richard Finch.
Considering this is debuting on NBC’s streamer Peacock it is ironic the scene where Bridget is alone on a couch trying to watch TV has her frustrated by being unable to unlock her password to watch Netflix (!)
Producers are Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, and Jo Wallett. Fielding and Zellweger are Executive Producers.
Title: Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Release Date: February 13, 2025 in theatres internationally, streaming on Peacock in U.S.
Director: Michael Morris
Screenplay: Helen Fielding and Dan Mazer and Abi Morgan
Cast: Renee Zellweger, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Leo Woodall, Casper Knopf, Mila Jankovich, Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, Jim Broadbent, Gemma Jones, Emma Thompson, Sally Phillips, Shirley Henderson, James Callis, Sarah Solemani, Neil Pearson, Leila Farzad, Josette Simon, Nico Parker.
Rating: R
Running Time: 2 hours and 4 minutes