Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy

The final installment of this wonderful series was a tad disappointing. Hugh grant was his flawless Daniel Cleaver but the other characters just seemed forced. The story seemed a bit compartmentalized, and the film never seemed to catch its rhythm. I just expected more From this incredible team of seasoned actors. However wonderful to see all the familiar faces, It was just a bad reminder of how quickly Life passes by. But for all the Bridget Jones fans in the world, it's a must see to say farewell to our beloved characters Who have brought Love, laughs and hope to all us romantics. Thanks for the memories!

I didn't think I would love this movie as much as I did. I laughed, I cried and the nostalgic factor was chefs kiss! I love that it dealt with real life issues like grief, single motherhood and feeling like you are always failing at life. I also enjoyed the nostalgic factor. I feel like for not being in theaters, this was a wonderful movie with a beautiful soundtrack and amazing actors! Although this movie dealt with serious topics, there was also some very cute comedic relief sprinkled in. You won't regret the watch if you loved the Bridget Jones Diaries movies. I would absolutely recommend it!

'Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy (2025)' is very different to its predecessors, much more sombre and more contemplative. Rather than struggling with beauty standards and societal pressures, Bridget struggles with grief and coming to terms with a world which no longer has Mr. Darcy in it. Set four years after his untimely demise, the film puts enough distance between his death and its events that it isn't constantly consumed by sadness, focusing more on the reality of what happens just after the period of time usually covered by stories concerning tragedy. This allows the affair to totally avoid being dour, and it isn't even all that downbeat. It naturally fluctuates between making you laugh and making you cry, its general sadness counterbalanced by momentary happiness and the understanding that life has to go on and that there's nothing wrong with that. The central drama isn't so much 'boy' (Leo Woodall) vs 'man' (Chiwetel Ejiofor) insofar as a love triangle is concerned (the men share only a single scene), but instead one of Bridget learning to accept the absence of her husband and to live her life again. There are romantic elements of course, but this is the least 'rom-com' in the traditional sense of all the Bridget movies. It also might just be the best. Renée Zellweger is really solid as the lead character, easily slipping back into the role that arguably defines her career, and it's a treat to see characters (including Hugh Grant's Daniel Cleaver, who is pretty much unchanged by the year-long period in which he was declared dead but was actually stranded on an island somewhere, and Emma Thompson's frank-as-always Dr. Rawlings) and locations and even character setups from its predecessors. It's pretty funny and it's pretty moving. In fact, it's pretty much everything it needs to be. It does feel a little long, and certain elements in its third act feel rather rushed. Plus, Bridget doesn't have the strongest chemistry with one of the men (I won't spoil which) and some aspects of the picture feel more obligatory than natural. Still, it's a really solid sequel that examines relatable and important themes in an effective way. It totally justifies its existence.

Renée Zellweger was just past 30 for the first Bridget Jones movie, now she will turn 56 later this year, 2025. Today is Valentines Day and it seemed fitting that my wife and I decided to watch this movie, released just yesterday, streaming on Peacock.

It has a very slow start, we both looked at each other after about one-half hour and said, "Are you enjoying this?" We weren't and both hoped it would soon get good. All the characters were annoying and inappropriate, even the kids. In one scene the little girl is running around the house and banging on a pot for the longest. In social gatherings all the lady friends are intrusive and most of the interactions are silly. Fortunately, by tolerating all that it did pick up during its second half.

As this story starts Bridget's husband died in an unfortunate accident four years earlier, leaving her with a young son and an even younger daughter. She was still trying to cope and had not been back to her job as a TV show producer. All her friends wanted to know when she would find a man. One even started her a dating ap.

Later, as the story winds down, good things start to happen for Bridget and the kids. The son is worried that he might forget his dad and his science teacher helps by reassuring him that his dad is everywhere, his energy is, because energy can neither be created or destroyed, it just changes its form.

I would watch the second half again, but NOT the first half, neither interesting nor entertaining. And I did just that, a few weeks later. I started at the middle and the second half is an excellent one-hour movie.

Later I got the DVD from my public library and re-watched the original Bridget Jones movie. The closing credits of this movie contains a number of still shots from that original.

"Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy" is a beautiful, heartfelt return to the world of Bridget Jones, bringing both nostalgia and a fresh, deeply emotional perspective. This time, we meet Bridget as a widow and single mother, trying to navigate a new chapter of her life while raising her children. The film delicately explores grief, resilience, and the messy, sometimes hilarious reality of starting over. While it still has the humor and charm we love, there's an added depth that makes this story feel more mature and profoundly moving.

Renée Zellweger shines once again, effortlessly embodying Bridget's warmth, wit, and vulnerability. Her performance is both endearing and authentic, making us laugh one moment and tear up the next. The film perfectly balances lighthearted moments with genuine emotion, reminding us why Bridget has always felt so real and relatable. Whether you've been a fan since the beginning or are just meeting her now, "Mad About the Boy" is a touching, uplifting addition to the series - one that stays with you.