Movies

Bridget Jones and Daniel Cleaver Turned Out to Be the Real Love Story All Along

BBG News

It seems you left your skirt behind. Is your skirt unwell?” This question, posed by Daniel Cleaver to the main character in ‘Bridget Jones’ Diary,’ initiated a romantic entanglement that, given current standards, might lead to an HR meeting or worse, permanent blacklisting for Cleaver. However, in the 2001 film adaptation of Helen Fielding’s novel, this question, delivered with Hugh Grant’s charmingly mischievous flair, only served to solidify Cleaver’s image as the franchise’s roguish heartthrob, or as Bridget Jones calls him, the “Master of Misadventure.

The numerous transgressions of Cleaver against Bridget, as depicted in the movies, are extensive and hard to summarize here, but they encompass abandoning her at a tarts and vicars party, which was a popular trend in Britain; dishonestly cheating on her with “Lara from the New York office”; deceiving her about his role in ending a marriage; and returning to her only when she was moving on and letting go of him – all of which occurred in the first film. The second movie, “Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason” (2004), portrays Cleaver avoiding Bridget when she is arrested by armed police while trying to board a flight back home from Thailand. Although the legal issue itself doesn’t involve Daniel, his lack of assistance in this situation is undeniably despicable. This immoral behavior is highlighted by none other than Bridget’s future husband, Mark Darcy (played by Colin Firth).

If Daniel represents trouble, then Mark serves as the solution. His stoic yet somewhat understated personality stands in stark contrast to Daniel’s captivating charm. As a human rights lawyer, Mark provides Bridget with the stability she needs amidst her unpredictable life. It was Mark who told Bridget, “I really like you just the way you are,” at a crucial moment when she needed to hear those words. Being an initial supporter of Team Darcy, I joined many viewers in breathing a contented sigh of relief as the couple finally tied the knot at the end of the third movie, 2016’s “Bridget Jones’ Baby.

In the conclusion of a story, not every tale ends with eternal happiness. When we revisit Bridget in “Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy,” the last installment of the series debuting on Peacock Feb 13, she’s a widow raising two kids after Mark’s passing, four years ago, during a humanitarian mission in Sudan. The “All by Myself” theme from the first movie resonates again as a 50-something Bridget struggles alone on the couch, trying to recall her Netflix password while being envious of couples enjoying Netflix and chilling together. Despite being single romantically, she’s not lonely at all, as the mother of two has a strong support system to lean on. Interestingly, Daniel plays a crucial role in helping Bridget deal with her emotions.

In the initial scene, as I attend my first major social event since Mark’s passing – a dinner party, it’s “Uncle Dan” who drops by to babysit. He’s running late, almost forgetting our arrangement due to his preoccupation with his new 20-something girlfriend’s less than impressive open mic poetry performance. However, upon my call, he swiftly hops into his car and promptly arrives at my doorstep. Though he might not be a contender for any babysitting accolades soon – teaching Billy how to mix a cocktail called the “Dirty B-tch” is hardly appropriate – he’s undeniably cherished and warmly received in our household, the Jones-Darcy abode.

When Billy wonders about death, it’s Daniel who offers explanations and comfort with a warm embrace. Furthermore, among many voices, Daniel encourages Bridget to transition out of mere survival and return to full living. It might appear strange that the man who once hurt her feelings is now encouraging her to reopen her heart, but it’s evident that Daniel cares profoundly for Bridget, more as a friend than he ever did romantically. Interestingly enough, without sexual complications clouding their connection, there’s no contamination in the strong affection that has developed between them over time.

Despite their bond maturing steadily over time, Daniel’s behavior remains unchanged. He continues to date multiple women without showing much commitment to any of them. A surprise to him is his ex-partner leaving him after he had an affair with her sister (who was involved only once). As a result of this rift, it has been more than ten years since Daniel last saw his son. Pushing away everyone significant in his life, except Bridget. So when Daniel lands in the hospital due to a heart murmur, it’s Bridget who gets the call as his emergency contact. This moment serves as a wake-up call, demonstrating that they have not only developed a strong friendship but have also become each other’s chosen family.

In many romantic comedies, there’s an excessive focus on the physical aspects of the main characters’ relationships. However, in “Mad About the Boy,” while there are some passionate scenes with characters like Roxster (played by Leo Woodall) and Mr. Wallaker (Chiwetel Ejiofor), these moments take a backseat to the story’s central theme: friendship. The novel acknowledges that sometimes our deepest, most intimate connections aren’t tied to physical relationships, but rather to friendships that may have started or continued beyond the romantic realm, even if they once shared more than just platonic feelings.

Bridget and Daniel have a unique understanding that lacks criticism. Since their workplace romance began, Bridget has felt comfortable being herself with Daniel, without fear of judgment or needing to change who she is. For instance, he accepts her interest in celebrity gossip over political conflicts. This acceptance was notably absent when she tried to fit the mold of a prim and proper lawyer’s girlfriend with Mark.

Intriguingly, this dynamic didn’t save their romantic relationship, but it has contributed significantly to the success of their friendship. Today, Bridget refrains from judging Daniel as they discuss his estrangement from his son, instead offering words of encouragement. Inspired by the affection her children have for Bridget, he eventually takes steps to reconnect with his son.

In theory, it might seem simple to dislike Daniel, yet we may find ourselves reluctant to condemn him given his actions, especially in our modern #MeToo era. He’s a man with a crude vocabulary and an apparent addiction to womanizing. However, thanks largely to the depth of compassion portrayed by Grant in his role, we come to understand that there is more to this playboy than meets the eye – he has feelings, albeit faint ones. During the screenings I attended for this movie, it was Daniel’s witty one-liners and candid remarks that elicited the loudest laughter from the predominantly millennial crowd.

It’s no wonder that Zellweger and Grant share a strong friendship beyond their onscreen characters, given their chemistry. In an interview with Grant earlier this year, Zellweger said: “You’re amazingly brilliant at the things you dislike. And though you don’t care for people, you’re a great and faithful friend. I really like you.” This dynamic duo highlights the importance of platonic relationships, which research suggests can contribute to a longer lifespan. The film’s release just one day before Valentine’s Day, on the days of Platonic Palentine’s Day and Galentine’s Day (coined from Parks and Recreation), underscores this theme even further.

Despite their brief and chaotic romantic encounter, which one might describe as a mess using a term Ms. Jones would find suitable, the strong friendship they’ve forged since then surpasses anything that took place in their private moments. In reality, it was love, but not the kind 32-year-old Bridget, or we, the viewers, initially anticipated.

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2025-02-13 21:06

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