This lovable sequel brings Renee Zellweger’s character back on track.
The last “Bridget Jones” film “Bridget Jones’s Baby” was on my list of the Worst Films of 2016 for being so desperate and a little crass in its choice of comedy. 9 years later, we have Renee Zellweger’s iconic British character Bridget (based on Helen Fielding’s book character) back in the sequel “Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy.” But some things have changed, her husband Mark Darcy (Colin Firth), who was revealed to be the father of her son Billy (Casper Knopf), is dead, and before that they also have a little girl named Mabel (Mila Jankovic), and Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant), who was presumed dead in the last film, is still alive.
So, we’re going to have to skip the part when Bridget finally realizes that Daniel is still alive, and continue with their friendship in a casual way. Maybe that’s what this sequel likes to be. But it also likes to remind us on why we enjoyed her character starting in the 2000s. And maybe this positive review can help me redeem myself a bit from last time.
As the film begins, Bridget starts to lose her spirits, especially when it comes to raising two kids and trying and failing to impress the other moms. At least, she’s able to stand up to the whistle blowing science teacher Mr. Wallaker (Chiwetel Ejiofor). And she also begins to worry if she’ll be overshadowed by her kids’ new babysitter Chloe (Nico Parker), who looks like a movie star to her.
But under the advice of her recently departed father (Jim Broadbent), she decides to get herself out there again. Not only getting back in her TV producing position, but also in her love life, which includes a much younger man named Roxster (Leo Woodall from “The White Lotus”) and Mr. Wallaker. So, which of these two would be the perfect suitor for her? That’s up to Bridget and the movie itself.
The drama in this sequel allows the main heroine to deal with hardships regarding life and love, and maybe she should watch “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret,” which was about a girl trying to be normal, while struggling to figure out what life has in store for her. These two book characters don’t play things nice and simple; they play things honest and consistent.
“Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy” was directed by Michael Morris, who also made one of the best independent films of 2022 called “To Leslie.” Not all the jokes are funny and some can be over the top, but there are some good laughs and a lot of sweetness. In fact, the film may have more sweetness than comedy, which is okay. Actually, it’s a very warm-hearted sequel, and as a streaming movie for Peacock, it makes me glad I missed Netflix’s “Kinda Pregnant.”
Zellweger, in her first movie sole since playing Judy Garland in “Judy,” still meets well with age, not just her mushy face, but also her comedic appeal and how well she uses her British accent. I also admire Woodall and Ejiofor as her new suitors, as well as Grant keeping his character’s dirty appeal (make that filthy appeal), Parker reflecting her insides and outsides, Knopf and Jankovic are genuinely likable kid actors, and I like the way they use Isla Fisher as a guest star cantankerous neighbor whom Bridget suggests “Never meet your heroes.”
I’m already taking some heat for giving “Captain America: Brave New World” a positive feedback, and I’m also sharing some enjoyment for “Paddington in Peru.” But I still think this is a good week for sequel, whether they’re in theaters or streaming. “Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy” will be streaming on Peacock, while it will be in theaters in the U.K., and I’m going to have to assume it’s because the last film performed better in theaters there than here. But in any format, this sequel is delightful and one for her diary.
Streaming on Peacock