Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy Review

Is there a more quintessential British and romantic character than Bridget Jones? So, whoever's idea it was to release the latest and final chapter of the Bridget Jones story on Valentine's Day in the UK - I thank you. In America, the film got a straight-to-streaming release on Peacock. Still, as Bridget Jones is an iconic character both in the film and literary world in British culture, it garnered a theatrical release. As my blog promotes the cinema experience, this is a film that is made to be watched with a big audience, as every comedic and, more importantly, emotional scene is felt through the audience, and you can feel everyone in the room falling in love with what is on the big screen. 

When the trailer dropped, it not only created excitement for the final Bridget Jones film but also shocked audiences when they found out that Mark Darcy, famously played by Colin Firth, has passed away, and Bridget is trying to navigate life as a widow and a single mother. For readers of the book, they had known this fate for years, but for the audience, it is jarring to see his death and Bridget on her own - but not for too much longer! 

As the title states, Mad About the Boy and the boy in question is Leo Woodall, known for his work in The White Lotus and One Day - he plays Roxster, a park ranger who meets Bridget when she is stuck up a tree dealing with her unpredictable children who decide to go up said tree. Bridget and Roxster slowly start to form a relationship and enjoy each other's company, even though Bridget is worried about getting back into the dating scene, particularly with someone a lot younger than her. However, there is also Mr Wallaker, played by Chiwetel Ejofor, who is a teacher at her son's school and is always there for Bridget and her children to console them during their grief and who may become a knight in shining armour for her. 

For fans of the series, there are a lot of nods to the previous films, with Bridget walking past her old flat and the cocktails she has with her friends being blue - a nod to the blue soup that she makes with Mark Darcy in the first film. Also, unlike its previous film, Hugh Grant returns as Daniel Cleaver and steals the show as the notorious Daniel Cleaver who has now turned best friend/babysitter for Bridget. It is a treat to see him back on the screen, still flirting with everyone he sees, but as he has gotten older, he has a past and a son whom he has not seen in fifteen years, and he is grappling with the feeling of wasting his life away - a theme that many can resonate with sadly. 

Not only is it the best sequel in this series, but I would argue it is the best Bridget Jones film of the four that have been released. The reason for this is that it displays Bridget in an unlikely situation dealing with the grief of her husband's passing, but she is still the lovable, relatable character that we know and, most importantly, love. It also, like all the films, delivers big laughs. However, this one has taken people by surprise as it will emotionally punch you in the gut and have you sobbing like a baby. It makes the experience an emotional rollercoaster, and you leave the cinema feeling both fulfilled by the ending but also rea
dy to take on whatever life throws at you - Bridget is a woman for the everywoman, and that's why we love her!