BRIDGET JONES: MAD ABOUT THE BOY

Bridget Jones is back, and this time, she’s navigating the unpredictable minefield of single motherhood, dating apps, and the existential crisis of turning 50. Mad About the Boy finds our favorite diary-keeping disaster widowed, raising two kids, and trying to figure out if emojis count as flirting. The charm is still there—clumsy misadventures, wine-fueled wisdom, and self-deprecating humor—but the spark isn’t quite as strong. Between hilarious highs and bittersweet lows, Bridget proves that even in midlife, love, heartbreak, and Spanx struggles never really change. Is it as iconic as the original? Maybe not. But it’s still a ride worth taking.

MOVIE

The Tipsy Critic

2/13/20253 min read

Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy (2025)

Release Date: February 13, 2025
Director: Michael Morris
Starring: Renée Zellweger, Leo Woodall, Hugh Grant, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Emma Thompson

Let’s set the scene: It’s Thursday night, I’ve cracked open a few drinks (for journalistic purposes, obviously), and I’ve decided to catch Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy without any prior knowledge. That’s right, I went in blind. Confession time—I haven’t seen the first three movies. Sue me. But hey, Renée Zellweger is back, Hugh Grant is back, and there’s a new guy who looks like he was cast straight out of a cologne ad. What could go wrong? Well, turns out, quite a bit.

Bridget in the Modern World

Bridget is now in her 50s, and life has hit her with a major curveball: she’s a widow. Mark Darcy (RIP, Colin Firth) is gone, leaving Bridget to navigate life as a single mother to two young children. She’s still got the same chaotic energy, but now it’s mixed with the exhaustion of middle-aged parenting. Between school runs, work, and the occasional existential crisis, she’s trying to figure out how to move forward.

Enter the New Love Interest

Enter Leo Woodall’s character, Jack, a charming 30-something who seems to have walked straight out of a rom-com fantasy. He’s confident, funny, and clearly smitten with Bridget. Their chemistry is undeniable, and it’s refreshing to see Bridget embrace a new romance. But of course, nothing is ever that simple in her world. Hugh Grant’s Daniel Cleaver is back, somehow still as roguishly inappropriate as ever, and just to complicate things further, Chiwetel Ejiofor’s character, a no-nonsense but secretly softhearted single dad, enters the mix.

The Comedy Hits (Mostly)

Renée Zellweger slips back into Bridget’s shoes effortlessly. Her comedic timing is spot-on, and she brings the same awkward charm that made the character so beloved in the first place. The film is packed with classic Bridget mishaps—there’s an incident involving a malfunctioning dating app, an unfortunate karaoke moment, and a PTA meeting that spirals into absolute chaos. Emma Thompson, returning as Bridget’s doctor and occasional voice of reason, steals every scene she’s in with her dry wit and exasperated expressions.

Where It Falls Short

Not everything works, though. The film struggles to balance its mix of humor and grief. Mark’s absence is acknowledged, but it often feels like the movie isn’t sure how deeply it wants to dive into Bridget’s loss. One minute, she’s having a heartfelt conversation with her kids about their dad, and the next, she’s drunkenly falling into a fountain. The tonal shifts can be jarring, making it hard to fully invest in the emotional weight of her journey.

The pacing also drags in the second act, particularly as the love triangle (or is it a love square?) starts to feel repetitive. Jack is almost too perfect to be interesting, and while Hugh Grant is entertaining, his character feels more like a nostalgic addition rather than a necessary part of the story.

The Verdict: A Fun, If Uneven, Return

Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy is a mixed bag. It’s great to see Renée Zellweger back in this role, and the film delivers plenty of laughs. But the emotional beats don’t always land, and some of the storylines feel underdeveloped. If you’re a longtime fan, you’ll likely enjoy the nostalgia and the chaotic charm that Bridget still brings. If you’re new to the series, like me, you might find yourself wondering what all the fuss is about.

Would I recommend it? If you’re in the mood for something light, sure. Just don’t expect it to stick with you for long after the credits roll.