Review: Renée Zellweger Navigates Grief and New Love in ‘Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy’, A Surprisingly Moving Finale

London, UK – The beloved, perpetually relatable figure of Bridget Jones returns to the screen in “Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy,” the fourth and reportedly final film adaptation based on Helen Fielding’s internationally acclaimed novel.

Directed by Michael Morris, this latest installment finds Renée Zellweger reprising her iconic role, depicting Bridget several years after the events of 2016’s “Bridget Jones’s Baby.” The narrative unfolds with Bridget now navigating the complexities of middle-aged motherhood, raising a young adolescent son named Billy, portrayed by Casper Knopf, and a five-year-old daughter, Mabel, played by Mila Jankovic.

Navigating Loss and Motherhood

The film establishes early on a significant shift in Bridget’s life: the death of Mark Darcy, previously embodied by Colin Firth. It is revealed that Mark passed away four years prior to the film’s setting, during a humanitarian aid mission in Sudan. This profound loss casts a long shadow over Bridget’s existence, introducing significant emotional themes of grief and resilience into the narrative.

The daily realities of single parenthood form a central pillar of the story. Bridget grapples with the demands of raising her children while also confronting the solitude that follows such a deep personal loss. The character Daniel is notably present in the children’s lives, described as Billy and Mabel’s favorite uncle, providing a touchstone to Bridget’s past and offering support in his unique way.

The Unexpected Pursuit of Love

Amidst navigating grief and family life, Bridget finds herself unexpectedly pursued by a younger character named Roxter. This pursuit begins on the dating app Tinder and blossoms into a summer romance. The age gap between Bridget and Roxter becomes a source of humor throughout this storyline, highlighting Bridget’s often-awkward attempts to navigate contemporary dating as a middle-aged woman.

However, this new romantic entanglement introduces friction within her family unit. Her son, Billy, in particular, is depicted as being resistant to Roxter, adding another layer of complexity to Bridget’s life as she attempts to balance her personal desires with the needs and feelings of her children.

Critical Reception and Performance

The film runs for over two hours, a runtime that the review notes feels lengthy, particularly as some romantic storylines are observed to feel underdeveloped despite the extended screen time. Despite these pacing and narrative issues, the film has been described as a surprisingly moving final chapter for the character.

Renée Zellweger’s portrayal of Bridget Jones receives mostly praise for capturing the essence of the character who has resonated with audiences for decades. However, the review also points out that some of Zellweger’s performance choices regarding Bridget’s familiar quirks—specifically mentioning her squinting and a new walk—are occasionally distracting, momentarily pulling the viewer away from the emotional core of the scene.

Conclusion

“Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy” endeavors to conclude Bridget’s story by exploring themes of loss, single parenthood, and the possibility of finding love again later in life. While it may present some narrative inconsistencies and pacing challenges, the film successfully delivers on its emotional promise, providing what has been called a surprisingly moving conclusion to the saga of Bridget Jones, reflecting the enduring appeal of her journey through life’s unpredictable landscape.