BRIDGET JONES: MAD ABOUT THE BOY (2025, UK/France/USA, 125m, 15) ***½
Comedy
dist. Universal Pictures; pr co. Universal Pictures / StudioCanal / Miramax / Working Title Films; d. Michael Morris; w. Helen Fielding, Dan Mazer, Abi Morgan (based on the novel by Helen Fielding); pr. Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Jo Wallett; ph. Suzie Lavelle (Colour | 2.39:1); m. Dustin O’Halloran; ed. Mark Day; pd. Kave Quinn; ad. Andrea Matheson.
cast: Renée Zellweger (Bridget Jones), Chiwetel Ejiofor (Scott Wallaker), Leo Woodall (Roxster McDuff), Colin Firth (Mark Darcy), Hugh Grant (Daniel Cleaver), Emma Thompson (Dr. Rawlings), Jim Broadbent (Bridget’s Dad), Gemma Jones (Bridget’s Mum), Isla Fisher (Rebecca), Josette Simon (Talitha), Nico Parker (Chloe), Leila Farzad (Nicolette), Sarah Solemani (Miranda), Sally Phillips (Shazzer), Shirley Henderson (Jude), James Callis (Tom), Celia Imrie (Una Alconbury), Neil Pearson (Richard Finch), Joanna Scanlan (Cathy), Oli Green (Russ the Checkout Guy).
Bittersweet fourth instalment sees Bridget (Zellweger) grieving the death of her husband Mark Darcy (Firth), whilst dealing with being a mother and single again. Immensely likeable and refreshingly mature addition to the series with Zellweger’s charm and Grant’s now self-aware and wonderfully ageing womaniser the highlights. The young heath ranger Woodall and older teacher Ejiofor separately vie for Bridget’s attention, but Woodall’s character feels a little too shallow and convenient. The support cast from the earlier films returns, some in brief cameos, and there are several fan-pleasing references. The mix of comedy and a sometimes melancholy drama manages to avoid becoming cloyingly sentimental, instead delivering laughter and tears in equal volume.
