Bridget Jones: Mad about the boy
I laughed, cried, gasped, and cried again. One of the best films I’ve ever seen
Image: Isabel Butler
Valentines day 2025, the sun has set, the rain began hours ago, and Bridget Jones has just graced the big screens for the first time in HOW LONG.
What better to do on a miserable, bitterly cold Friday night than get cosy with comfort characters and a large pot of mixed popcorn. As the lights dimmed I felt a wave of nerves wash over me. Nerves mixed with pure excitement, as it was time to watch the 4th instalment of my favourite film series ever.
The Bridget Jones trilogy may well be the best films one can watch. So when a fourth film was announced there was a kind of apprehension that followed. When it comes to iconic films/ TV series’ creating something new after so many years, it can be a challenge to match up to the standard of the OG’s.
Image: Isabel Butler
Fear not, because when I tell you, this film is better than anything I have ever seen (almost). For me, this film ranked 2nd out of the whole series, second to Bridget Jones’ Diary. Starring Renée Zellweger, Hugh Grant and Leo Woodall, and directed by Michael Morris, how could it not be perfection.
For 125 minutes, I had my heart broken and then mended so many times I lost count. I cried for Bridget, I cried with Bridget and I cried because of Bridget. Never had my heart felt so full when watching a movie.
We got to see Mrs Darcey in mum mode; school runs, field trips and baby sitters. And though I loved seeing the growth of her character, the way she still embraced chaos, smiled through the awkwardness and pushed herself to say yes is what made the film whole.
“And though there might be 600,000 words in the human language, the world still struggles to find the right one when someone you love is gone.”
My favourite moments however were from Daniel Clever himself. Hugh Grant, after being absent in the third instalment, exceeded all expectations. The humour, his iconic character, the way in which it felt as though we’d experienced their years of friendship first hand, it was simply amazing.
And, though my heart broke for Mr Darcey, the parts where we did see Collin Firth were a beautiful representation of grief. He showed up for the little things, and the big. How can something be so devastating and beautiful, all at the same time?
Must give a special mention to the soundtrack of this film, as a huge Olivia Dean fan I loved it. Her “It isn’t perfect but it might be” was the cherry on top.
Plot Breakdown *spoiler alert*
Four years after Mark Darcey’s death, Bridget Jones decides to “live again.”
After a unique encounter with studying biochemist Rockster (Leo Woodall), Bridget finds herself connecting with him on Tinder, leading them into a relationship
The film explores dating whilst handling widowed life, a chaotic house made a home by her two children, their giref journey and more.
Teachers, toy boys, tinder and more. The film is full of ups and downs, an accidental school trip, and love, both platonic and romantic.