Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy Review- A humorous, heartfelt & nostalgic closure for its hard-core fans

The film deals with the themes of loss, acceptance, and self-discovery while still keeping alive the sharp wit, charm and goofiness that has been the hallmark of the franchise. 

Humour, nostalgia and endearing performances- These are the elements that make the Bridget Jones franchise a cult classic. The fourth instalment of the movie does serve it all to the audience, but not just in the right mix or balance this time!

Watch the trailer here!

Helmed by Michael Morris and written by Abi Morgan, Dan Mazer, and Helen Fielding, the film explores a new chapter in the life of Bridget Jones where she is navigating through grief, the challenges of single parenting, and the complexities and awkwardness of new age dating in her 50s. While the film is soaked in nostalgia and comedy, it seems to struggle to find the right balance between humor and intense emotional arcs.

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Four years after her husband’s death in a Sudan explosion, Bridget Jones (Renée Zellweger) is now a single mother to 8-year-old Billy and 5-year-old Mabel and is constantly given unsolicited advice as to what the course and priorities of her life should be. This along with her father's last advice that 'she lives and not just survives after the death of her husband' overwhelms her. She feels her life is indeed in chaos and decides to start afresh. 

Thus, Bridget decides to return to work and rekindle romance in her life. She secures a job as a TV producer and starts dating Roxster (Leo Woodall), a much younger biochemistry student who rescues her children from a tree. At the same time, she finds a sincere friend in Mr. Wallakar (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a lonely science teacher at her kid's school. However, Bridget’s life takes an unexpected turn when Roxster starts abandoning her.

The film has a subtle flavour of old-school romance but this time it seems the makers looked to cater to the Gen Z audience rather than its usual fans. The fling between Bridget and Roxter - an old woman getting romantically involved with a young man—feels repetitive as a plot with the audience all around the world having watched it in numerous movies before. The story lacks novelty and freshness often leaving the audience easily predicting what’s going to unfold next.

Zellweger as the titular character is the soul of the film. Even though her performance this time slightly misses out the charm and spark of her work in previous installments, she is still very much the heart of the movie. Her comic timing, especially during the scenes of physical comedy provides much-needed energy to the film. Woodall is presented perfectly as the eye-pleasing lover boy- Roxter. However, his character lacks depth and only focuses on showing his chiseled physique. Ejiofor is delightful as Mr. Wallakar and shares a lovely chemistry with Zellweger. The standout performer in the film however remains Hugh Grant as Daniel Cleaver- Bridget's former partner and her go-to person. His presence, though brief, lights up the screen with humor and his usual charisma. 

Despite its shortcomings, the film will resonate with its hardcore fans along with the younger audience. The moments of nostalgia, humor, and heartfelt emotions provide a decent farewell to the much-celebrated rom-com franchise.

Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy is now showing in cinema halls near you!

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