A whole 9 years since her last appearance, Bridget Jones (Renée Zellweger) returns for one final romantic escapade full of love, chaos and embarrassment aplenty. This swan song sees Jones leaping back into the dating game, navigating a world of dating apps and a charismatic young flame.
Bridget Jones is one of those rom-com franchises that has such a unique tone and style that there’s really nothing else like it. The titular character is uniquely quirky and clumsy, plus her inner monologue that plays over key moments is a delightful insight into her love-driven thoughts. That inner monologue is a stylistic staple of the franchise, one that doesn’t miss throughout the entire film. So much of the quick-witted humour is given through that voiceover, enhanced with Zellweger’s own facial expressions for extra comedic value. The quirky nature of Jones as a character allows much of the comedy to come about naturally – she inadvertently gets herself in awkward situations that produces hilarious results. She’s not the only one bringing the laughs. The responsibility is shared around to Chiwetel Ejiofor and of course, Hugh Grant, who is a natural scene stealer.
Being the fourth film in the franchise, one which has spanned 24 years, its biggest task is undoubtedly to formulate a narrative that brings something new along, giving the sequel a reason for existing. Mad About the Boy does exactly that. The film hinges on Jones exposing herself to the new world of online dating, breathing fresh air into the story and giving this entry a distinct point of difference. It’s fun, refreshing and most importantly entertaining. I had a blast watching Jones navigate a ‘fish out of water’ scenario, one which provided ample comedy and a plethora of romantic beats. As far as rom-coms go, this one is very well balanced and beautifully paced, it knows exactly when to get silly and when to delve deeper into the various romances. Being the final film, it also acts as a neat climax for the franchise as a whole by showcasing Jones’ growth and honouring the legacy it has established.
I have to give credit to the writers for finding ways to emotionally and comedically include its legacy characters without bogging down the film. Characters from as far back as the first film make short but sweet appearances, and the majority of them are limited to the opening 15 minutes. They take the opportunity to pay homage to many franchise alums before leaping right into the new story and never wavering. It’s a clever creative decision that allows the film to forge its own path without needing to adhere to narratives set up by its predecessors.
Performance-wise, the film contains a nice balance of newcomers and returning faces that make their mark. Chiwetel Ejiofor is a fantastic addition who fits the tone perfectly. As Mr. Walliker, he contributes to both the comedy and romance in convincing fashion. He’s a bright, bubbly, loveable personality and you can’t help but love every single scene in which he shows up. Leo Woodall has a more important and prominent role, and he’s solid. He doesn’t make much of a comedic mark on the film, but he serves the story well. Hugh Grant is iconic and hilarious as Daniel Cleaver, stealing the limelight every time he shows up. His effortless knack for comedy leads to his every line hitting the mark. Last but not least, Zellweger is the heart and soul of the franchise and nails her final outing as the character. She’s a delight to watch and exhibits great chemistry with everyone she shares a scene with. It’s clear she loves this character and is having a blast through every second of filming.
In the end, I don’t have much to complain about in the way of Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy. It’s a great romantic comedy that nails the tone of the franchise and takes it out on a high. The narrative is fun, chaotic and refreshing, allowing Bridget Jones to stumble her way through another dating adventure and get into all sorts of cheesy, awkward moments. In a pleasant surprise, it might even be the best of its sequels. I do have a soft spot for the franchise, so that elevates it, but as long as you know what you’re getting into, this final entry is sure to hit the spot.
7.9/10
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