`Bridget Jones Returns to Glory`
The third installment of the Bridget Jones movie franchise, titled “Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy,” has received acclaim from critics, who consider it to be the finest addition so far. They have particularly admired the performances of Renee Zellweger in the title role and the comedic skills displayed by Hugh Grant.
As a die-hard fan, I can’t contain my excitement as Renee steps back into the spotlight, reprising her iconic role. This time around, she portrays Bridget, a woman in her fifties, navigating life as a single mother of two after the tragic loss of her husband, Mark Darcy. I can hardly wait to see this emotional journey unfold on the big screen!
Once more, the movie is based on the books written by Helen Fielding – starting with Bridget Jones’ Diary that premiered in 2001. The sequel, titled The Edge of Reason, came out in 2004, while Bridget Jones’s Baby made its way to cinemas in 2016.
The movie unfolds following Mark’s sorrowful demise, with Bridget caught up in a tug-of-war for her affections, featuring the flirtatious Roxster (portrayed by Leo Woodall), and the teacher character, Mr. Wallaker, played by Chiwetel Ejiofor.
According to Brian Viner from The Daily Mail, this movie received a shining evaluation with four stars, and he declared it as exceptional, reminiscent of the original.
He called Renee’s acting ‘engaging’ and praised the portrayal of an age gap relationship.
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He mentioned: “She has returned – and although certain individuals may hope otherwise, since to be frank, she isn’t everybody’s preferred type of Chardonnay – she’s come back in style, complete with jingling bells.
The latest Bridget Jones movie, number four in the series, is reminiscent of the 2001 original in terms of quality and has a mature tone that fits well with the group. It delves into themes like loss and sorrow, but manages to maintain its humor and allure.
‘It explores plenty of other stuff, too, not least romance across a mighty age divide.’
Simultaneously, The Telegraph bestowed a remarkable five stars on the movie, praising it as the “top-tier” film in the series so far. They further expressed delight at seeing Bridget return to our screens, finding it gratifying.
In their review, the film critic, Robbie Collin, commended Hugh Grant for his performance reprising Daniel Cleaver. He particularly appreciated Grant’s humorous and roguish delivery.
Robbie commented on the movie: “Indeed, it has some cheesy moments, but isn’t that just typical for a Bridget Jones movie?
Similar to how Bridget’s personal romance has awakened after a long hiatus of more than a decade, it’s delightful to witness the London-based romantic comedy genre and Bridget’s storyline reawaken with such panache.
The Independent praised the main actress in the movie, describing her as ‘extraordinary’, using words like ‘genuine’, ‘humorous’, and ‘touching’.
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Additionally, they commended how the movie portrayed the age difference between Bridget and Roxster, while also appreciating Hugh’s comedic elements that enriched the film.
‘Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy novel maintains a balanced approach to its themes, featuring brief, humorous appearances by Hugh Grant’s character, but not extensively so.’
The Times awarded the movie four stars, primarily commending the strong chemistry and heartfelt connection shared by Hugh and Renee. They believe this bond was instrumental in keeping the entire film cohesive.
The main movie reviewer, Kevin Maher, commented: “Over a span of 24 years, we’ve seen them develop and change, but also remain consistent, in a strange way, at the same time.
The deep connection they share serves as the movie’s strongest aspect, seamlessly reinforcing its saddest message – nothing lasts forever, yet it’s filled with humor.
Despite the positive reviews, The Guardian seemed less enthused, awarding the film only two stars and remarking that the series appeared to have exhausted its creative momentum.
Additionally, they commented that Renee lacked chemistry with both of her male leads, yet they commended Hugh for his wit and appreciated the scenes featuring Emma Thompson.
In a different phrase, it could be stated as: ‘They noted that Zellweger seems preoccupied and Woodall lacks the warmth and relatable humanity he previously displayed – the Hampstead Heath scenes feel tense, unintentionally reminiscent of his romantic moments on Primrose Hill in One Day.’
They brutally added: ‘Fans might prefer to remember the previous three films.’
The Evening Standard followed suit with two stars saying Bridget should ‘go into retirement now.
A critic wrote: ‘Initially, Bridget Jones’s Diary was a humorous take on Pride and Prejudice from the mid-90s newspaper columns. Although it’s understandable that Fielding has enjoyed the success of the subsequent books and movies, they seem to have lost some of their initial sophistication and cleverness over time.’
‘Retirement now surely beckons for Bridget.’
According to The Express, the production received a rating of three stars. They found it delightful, but pointed out that it tended to drag on a bit due to its length.
The Bridget Jones movies are known for their British romantic comedy humor, and Renee Zellweger delivers numerous laugh-out-loud moments in this cheerful and lighthearted continuation of the series.
The Empire magazine awarded it four stars, praising it as one of the most emotionally impactful films within the series and referring to it as a ‘heartwarming sequel for Bridget.’
In my expert opinion, the delightful surprise you’ve been waiting for without realizing it, ‘Mad About The Boy’, brings us back to the whirlwind world of none other than Bridget Jones, leaving you both charmed and possibly teary-eyed along the way.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the performance by Renee following her character’s husband’s demise was deeply moving and highly commended.
The book, ‘Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy,’ stands out due to its portrayal of deep emotions in the main character’s grief and her eventual recovery. This is especially true of Renée Zellweger’s acting.
In the movie, Bridget is caught up in a struggle for her affection, with Roxster and Mr. Wallaker, portrayed by Chiwetel Ejiofor, vying for her attention.
Renee has something to say to those who criticize the “cougar” plotline: “Many films today feature this kind of relationship as their focus, and I’m not sorry about it. This isn’t a novel concept in our society.
Leo, aged 28, has expressed his happiness about seeing age difference relationships portrayed on-screen, particularly when the female character is older than her male counterpart.
He shared with Stellar Magazine that when two individuals establish a bond, there’s no reason not to explore its potential without prejudice and see where it may lead.
Leo stated, “Both aspects need to be balanced out evenly. It’s great that we’re seeing a reversal of the situation.
‘Because it’s not uncommon – it’s just not portrayed much in movies.’
Meanwhile, Helen Fielding aims for the newest movie to shatter the notion that there’s an expiration date on women’s sexual appeal.
In an interview before the film premieres on Valentine’s Day this week, Helen, aged 66, expressed her desire to challenge the notion in this movie that there is an expiration date for female sexuality while defying the offensive ‘cougar’ stereotype.
This situation reminds me of a woman adorned in leopard print giving a sly glance to a friend of my son, saying something like, ‘Fancy a sherry, dear?’
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‘It’s got to stop because it’s really not reflecting what’s happening.’
In conversation with The Sunday Times, she pointed out: “For a long time, Hollywood has portrayed men being with women who are decades younger, yet this isn’t given a second thought.
Nowadays, films are starting to depict mutual relationships between younger males and older females, shifting away from portrayals that are based on transactions or power dynamics.
Mad About The Boy will be released in UK cinemas on February 13.
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2025-02-12 13:31