By: Russ Matthews
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 1/2 (OUT OF 5 STARS)
For the devoted fanbase of Helen Fielding’s cherished creation, Bridget Jones (Renée Zellweger), the thought of a new misguided adventure must cause squeals of delight worldwide. As her diary fills with more and more introspective words of her newest stage of life after having a baby in 2016, this latest chapter may prove to be the most mature journey into mid-life with a splash of grief added in for a healthy dose of reality.
Since her twisted love triangle episode involving two potential fathers, Bridget has moved on to being a married woman with two children. Yet, the spin on this stage of her life has a bit of a sting in the tail after her beloved husband, Mark Darcy (Colin Firth), was killed while on assignment in Sudan. Four years after his death, she continues to mourn and struggle to keep her family’s life on track. Until she is inspired to get back out in the field of dating after she meets the young botanist, Roxster (Leo Woodall), who looks beyond their age difference to seek a romantic connection with the widowed mother of two. As she returns to the workplace, she enjoys the love affair until things take an unexpected turn. A scenario that has her pondering a potential relationship with her son’s science teacher, Mr. Wallaker(Chiwetel Ejiofor).
After the overwhelming success of the original film (2001), the subsequent predictability of a series was a foregone conclusion. Yet, no one could have guessed that Bridget would continue to woo audiences two decades later. Helen Fielding’s characters and formula has stood the test of time, despite the initial story falling out of step with modern audience’s sensibilities. Yet, Mad About the Boy provides the expected shenanigans with a depth and maturity not seen before in this franchise. Granted, like so many today’s British rom-coms, the lead players are sex-obsessed and have a compulsion to lay down enough f-bombs to make one think that the word is part of every child’s English primary school curriculum. Despite these overly plied tropes, something about this chapter of Bridget’s story manages to strike a meaningful chord that will appeal to discerning adults and fans of the series.
Director Michael Morris (To Leslie) takes this familiar storyline and manages to weave enough fresh material into this screenplay to appeal to the Bridget Jones devotee or those just joining the bandwagon. As he manages to cast the majority of the Love Actually cast, Morris keeps the focus on Renée Zellweger’s role despite Colin Firth, Hugh Grant, Jim Broadbent and Emma Thompson’s attempts to steal each scene from the Academy Award winner. Leo Woodall fills the young boy toy element needed, but, as to be expected, he becomes easily overshadowed by Chiwetel Ejiofor’s maturity and charisma. All that to say that this is Zellweger’s role and she still manages to carry this series through until this supposed final chapter.
Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy was a surprising joy as it took an overly recognisable role and added enough to her story to make her interestingly appealing once again. There is enough for the faithful followers of the narrative rich world of this quirky soul with an injection of humour and heart that will win over even the most sceptical critics of romantic comedies.
Reel Dialogue: Can a Rom Com Address My Grief?
Who could have predicted that a romantic franchise like Bridget Jones Diary could have the audience leaving the theatre contemplating grief, but it did. There was a beauty to the story that shows how everyone experiences this side of life differently. Yet, within the heartfelt moments, there was a hollowness to the messaging that failed to provide satisfactory answers to this topic. Maybe that is too much to ask of a rom-com, but just because Bridget Jones doesn’t have the answers, doesn’t mean that there isn’t somewhere to find them.
The Lord Is Near To The Brokenhearted And Saves The Crushed In Spirit. – Psalm 34:18
Death is one of the certainties of life, but we all respond differently when confronted with it. Fortunately, God does not leave people without an answer during these times of grief. He is a God who can truly weep with those who are weeping, because his Son died, too. He is near to the brokenhearted and can provide hope during a time that will inevitably affect everyone in one way or another.
Article supplied with thanks to City Bible Forum.
All images: Movie publicity
About the author: Russ Matthews is a film critic at City Bible Forum and Reel Dialogue. He has a passion for film and sparking spiritual conversations.