We’re watching: Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy

Over the years, we’ve been spectators to the complex life of Bridget Jones, with movies released in 2001, 2004, and 2016. However, the announcement of a fourth and final movie in April 2024, gave hope to fans who thought they had witnessed the end of Bridget Jones’s witty, peculiar, and humorous story over a decade ago.

Although this announcement has sparked attention and excitement to see the ending to Bridget Jones’s story, many book fans were struggling and upset to see the disappearance of Mark Darcy, played by Colin Firth. Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy follows the storyline of Bridget navigating her life as a widow and single mum but continuing to pursue her love life. Despite the loss of a main character, we were still able to see the original cast of Renée Zellweger, Hugh Grant, and Emma Thompson, but the film also provided a spotlight for new cast members, such as Leo Woodall and Chiwetel Ejiofor.

As a hug fan of the original, I didn’t have high expectations for this follow-up. The previous sequels were a letdown, with the second film The Edge of Reason receiving a shockingly low rating of 27% on Rotten Tomatoes. But I must reveal that this sequel was a new and refreshing story, presenting a perspective on not only motherhood but also the concept of grief. Although this film showed Bridget’s new pursuits in motherhood and love, the film still kept its classic and traditional humour, also using the repetitive yet significant theme of her independence.

I know I’m not alone in my assumptions and predictions about this movie, but I’m also aware I wasn’t the only one surprised by the outcome of the movie and the success of ending the series on a perfect note. Viewers gave it a high rating of 89% on Rotten Tomatoes, compared to the 79% rating for the original movie. Even though I always tend to believe nothing can surpass the original, I can conclude by saying I really enjoyed this movie, as it showed concepts of resilience, hope, and humour, still pulling off the original charm of the first movie.

Lulu E, Year 10