MOVIE REVIEW | Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy – After nearly a decade, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy proves there’s still plenty of juice left in the franchise. Renée Zellweger returns as the lovable, ever-relatable Bridget, this time navigating life in her early 50s as a widowed mother of two. While the absence of Colin Firth’s Mark Darcy looms large, the film manages to balance humor and depth, offering both heartfelt moments and classic Bridget-style mishaps. However, whether the ending fully satisfies longtime fans is up for debate.
A Quick Look Back at Bridget’s Journey
Since her debut in Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001), Bridget has been the ultimate imperfect yet charming heroine. The original film, based on Helen Fielding’s novel, introduced us to a 30-something singleton struggling with weight, career, and romance, torn between the dashing but unreliable Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant) and the reserved but kind Mark Darcy (Colin Firth). It was a rom-com classic, filled with wit, self-deprecating humor, and a heartwarming love story.
The sequel, Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (2004), leaned more into slapstick comedy but kept the love triangle alive, while Bridget Jones’s Baby (2016) surprised audiences by offering a fresh take—Bridget, now in her 40s, facing an unexpected pregnancy while uncertain of the father’s identity. By its end, she found happiness with Darcy, making his off-screen fate in Mad About the Boy all the more bittersweet.
A Different Bridget in a New Chapter
Mad About the Boy takes a more mature approach. Bridget, now grieving the loss of Darcy, is raising her children alone and trying to figure out life post-tragedy. Despite the emotional weight, the film still delivers the sharp humor and awkward situations that fans love. A highlight is Bridget’s attempt to reenter the dating world, leading to a fling with the much younger Roxster (Leo Woodall), bringing both laughs and a much-needed confidence boost for our heroine.
The film also expands on Bridget’s friendships, a core element of the series. Shazzer, Jude, and Tom remain by her side, offering support and questionable advice, while new characters add fresh dynamics. This balance between old and new makes the film feel familiar yet evolved.
Does the Ending Deliver?
One of the biggest questions is whether the film sticks the landing. While it offers a satisfying emotional conclusion, it may not be the fairy-tale ending longtime fans expected or wanted. Bridget’s journey has always been about self-discovery and resilience, but the final moments might leave some wondering if this is truly the happily-ever-after she deserves.
Rating
Aaron: 8 / 10 “franchise still going strong“
Zak: 6 / 10 “a smile on the face but not as strong as previous films“
Cinema Experience:
Palace Cinemas offers a higher end of cinema experiences with a more luxurious city centre location and atmosphere. Staff are friendly and provided free snacks and drinks to movie goers. Excellent sound and seating.
I do completely understand that no filming is allowed of the movie, however security were extremely tough to not allow a text message to be sent to a friend that was unwell. It is clear if someone has a phone pointed at the screen.
Viewed at Palace Cinemas, Raine Square, Perth
Media Release – Universal
Link to Universal HERE
TV Central Movie Reviews HERE
MOVIE REVIEW | Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy
MOVIE | Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy Australian premiere – Sydney has fallen madly in love again with Renée Zellweger at the Australian Premiere of her latest film at Hoyts EQ tonight (Sunday, February 9).
The two-time Academy Award® winner is back Down Under, this time joined by the director and cast of Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy
Oscar nominee Chiwetel Ejiofor, Leo Woodall, Sally Phillips and director Michael Morris were in town to celebrate the fourth and final chapter in the blockbuster rom-com series.
It’s been almost 10 years since we last heard from the woman whose inimitable approach to life and love redefined an entire film genre, with Australian audiences clearly excited for Bridget’s return – just as she is.
Sydney’s glitterati walked the purple carpet and enjoyed Singleton and Smug Married cocktails before being amongst the first in Australia to see Bridget’s latest chapter.
Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy will be released in Australian cinemas on February 13, just in time for Valentine’s Day.
#BridgetJonesMovie
About the Film
Bridget Jones first blasted onto bookshelves in Helen Fielding’s literary phenomenon Bridget Jones’s Diary, which became a global bestseller and a blockbuster film. As a single career woman living in London, Bridget Jones not only introduced the world to her romantic adventures, but added “Singletons,” “Smug-Marrieds” and “f—wittage” into the global lexicon. Bridget’s ability to triumph despite adversity led her to finally marry top lawyer Mark Darcy and to become the mother of their baby boy. Happiness at last.
But in Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, Bridget is alone once again, widowed four years ago, when Mark was killed on a humanitarian mission in the Sudan. She’s now a single mother to 10-year-old Billy and six-year-old Mabel, and is stuck in a state of emotional limbo, raising her children with help from her loyal friends and even her former lover, Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant).
Pressured by her Urban Family — Shazzer, Jude and Tom, her work colleague Miranda, her mother, and her gynecologist Dr. Rawlings (Oscar® winner Emma Thompson) — to forge a new path toward life and love, Bridget goes back to work and even tries out the dating apps, where she’s soon pursued by a dreamy and enthusiastic younger man (Woodall). Now juggling work, home and romance, Bridget grapples with the judgment of the perfect mums at school, worries about Billy as he struggles with the absence of his father, and engages in a series of awkward interactions with her son’s rational-to-a-fault science teacher (Ejiofor).
Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy is directed by Michael Morris (To Leslie, Better Call Saul), from a screenplay by BAFTA nominee Helen Fielding, based on her novel, with contributions from Emmy winner Abi Morgan (The Iron Lady, Eric) and Oscar® nominee Dan Mazer (I Give it A Year, Bridget Jones’s Baby).
The three previous Bridget Jones films — Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001), Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (2004) and Bridget Jones’s Baby (2016) — have earned more than $800 million worldwide.
Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy – in cinemas 13 February, 2025
Media Release – Universal Pictures
