Bridget Jones: Mad About the BoyReview: Renée Zellweger Returns for a Tearjerker Totally Worth Watching

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo:Alex Bailey/Universal Pictures

Alex Bailey/Universal Pictures

In the fourth book andnew movieBridget Jones:Mad About the Boy,everything in Bridget’s life has indeed fallen to pieces.

We find her reeling from the tragic death of her husband, Mark Darcy, who died four years earlier during a humanitarian trip to Sudan. (He returns to this film in Bridget’s mind only.)

She is struggling with her grief and life as a single mom to their two kids, Billy, 9, and Mabel, 4. Her house is a mess, her hair is a mess, she’s a mess — similar to the original film, albeit much sadder.

Colin Firth as Mark Darcy, Renee Zellweger as Bridget Jones.Jay Maidment/Universal Pictures

Jay Maidment/Universal Pictures

Though dating (and having sex again) is daunting, Roxster ends up being just what Bridget needs to get her groove back. The two embark on a fun and breezy summer fling that brings back Bridget’s smile and is the envy of all her friends. But is a hunky, sensitive and funny guy like Roxster too good to be true? Though he means well, in the end, the age gap is a difficult workaround.

Leo Woodall as Roxster, Renee Zellweger as Bridget Jones in Mad About the Boy.Jay Maidment/Universal Pictures

Though Mr. Walliker is uptight and rigid in his scientific thinking, he has a heart-to-heart with Bridget’s son Billy, who is heavily missing his dad and also worried he’ll forget about him. This is the moment to bring your tissues — and also the moment that Bridget begins to see Mr. Walliker in a new light.

Chiwetel Ejiofor as Mr. Walliker, Renee Zellweger as Bridget Jones in Mad About the Boy.Jay Maidment/Universal Pictures

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Though the subject matter is heavy at times, this is, of course, still a comedy, and the pacing is truly reminiscent of the first film: Hot mess finds herself with two potential suitors, does well at work again, leans on friends and chosen family for support.

Plus there are plenty of laughs. Jude, Shazza and Tom are still happy to take her out for margaritas and talk about sex and their love lives.

Emma Thompsonreprises her role from the third film as the no-nonsense but hilarious OB-GYN Dr. Rawling, andHugh Grantis perhaps the most delightful return character, still playing the caddish Daniel Cleaver. This time around he’s a wonderful friend to Bridget and a funny uncle to her children. While he’s still dating very young models, even he decides that there might be something to this family life thing after all.

Emma Thompson as Dr. Rawlings in Mad About the Boy.Jay Maidment/Universal Pictures

Mad About the Boyis enjoyable as it doesn’t try too hard to be over-the-top or funny or even too sappy. The level of emotion is fitting, and Zellweger is relatable as Bridget. (Scared of the overachieving moms at school, nervous about her middle-aged body being naked again, has embraced her dark roots and messy hair.) Fans of the original will also enjoy a few easter eggs: Keep an eye out for the see-through top Bridget wore to the book party in the first, and a reference to her “silly little boots.”

The message is also similar to the first: Nothing in life is ever perfect, but we still like some things, like ourBridget Jonesmovies, just as they are.

Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boyis streaming on Peacock Feb. 13.

source: people.com