Renée Zellweger plays Bridget in “Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy.” (Jay Maidment/Universal Pictures)
By Grace Sanderson
Almost 25 years after the release of “Bridget Jones’s Diary,” Renée Zellweger reprises her role as Bridget Jones for a fourth and final time in “Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy.” The film, released in February, follows Bridget as she balances life as a mother and widow.
The film offers nostalgic connections to the series, with both Colin Firth and Hugh Grant reprising their roles as Bridget’s epic love interests. Firth’s character, Mark Darcy, Bridget’s husband, passes away off-screen between the third and fourth films, but his love for her remains strong. His ghost appears by Bridget’s side in key moments. Grant’s character, Daniel Cleaver, continues to provide comedic relief as a playboy and Bridget’s devoted friend during a time of need for them both.
The film follows Bridget as she returns to her job as a television reporter and begins dating again, all while adjusting to life as a single mother. Like the series’ previous films, Bridget has two love interests: Roxster, a 29-year-old student played by Leo Woodall, and Mr. Wallaker, one of her son’s teachers, played by Chiwetel Ejiofor.
While the film explores Bridget’s relationship with Roxster, Mr. Wallaker quietly falls for her in the background. Though Roxter and Wallaker meet, the film lacks the hallmark moment of an epic confrontation between Bridget’s love interests, differing from similar scenes throughout the rest of the film’s series.
The tone of “Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy” makes the film stand apart from the rest of the series. However, Zellweger’s relatable character continues to bring back viewers. Even though the film is a meaningful and powerful story about moving on after loss, it still retains its comedic tone.
“Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy” is now streaming on Peacock.
