Director:Michael Morris
Writers:Helen Fielding, Dan Mazer, Abi Morgan.
In this latest outing we find Bridget (Renée Zellweger) coming to terms with life as a widow and single mother. Encouraged by her friends she heads back to the world of TV production. Being back in the workplace opens up a new life and new chances for love, there’s her childrens new science teacher, Mr. Wallaker (Chiwetel Ejiofor) and a park ranger Adonis, Roxster (Leo Woodall). But what seems new and exciting, maybe isn’t quite what Bridget hopes for, as she starts to realise what is truly important and how she wants her life to look.
Mad About the Boy was a surprising treat and if it is to be the last outing for Bridget, then it would be an extremely fitting one.
What works so well In this, is the way the story takes you by surprise. While it hints at been a typical Bridget outing, instead it flips that and turns into something unexpectedly warm and touching that looks at life, getting older, dealing with the most devastating of losses, and finding what makes you happy.
Zellweger is excellent again, bringing to life a character who, for all her ridiculousness, remains vulnerable, warm hearted and someone you care about. Alongside her there is a lovely mix of the returning, characters, touching memories of long lost ones and the new. Chiwetel Ejiofor charms as the awkward but kind hearted teacher and Leo Woodall has fun as Bridget’s Adonis. But it’s Hugh Grant who continues his run of film stealing cameos, with a Daniel Cleaver who also realises that maybe he’s missed the important things in life.
It has lots of fun call backs that fans will enjoy. But it’s no lazy greatest hits, it a warm, sometimes funny, often melancholy and touching, look at life.
Mad About the Boy is an unexpected treat and if it is to be the last Bridget Jones film, it’s a fitting finale. It’s a genuinely warm and touching look at life and dealing with loss. It has laughs, tears and most importantly heart. Well done Bridget.
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