Love, friendship and fun

Genre: Romantic Comedy, Drama

This romantic comedy is the sequel to Bridget Jones’s Baby (2016), based on the bestselling Bridget Jones novels by Helen Fielding. With its star-studded cast including protagonists Renee Zellweger, Hugh Grant and Colin Firth returning to our screens as Bridget Jones, Daniel Cleaver and Mark Darcy respectively, the movie has generated some much-deserved hype, marking the series in viewer’s hearts as a nostalgic classic. ‘Mad About the Boy’ sees Bridget Jones, now a widowed mother, navigate the new challenges of parenthood, the modern world and dating. However, with the support of her friends she eases the struggles in her life, reflecting the tough times we all endure.

The Premise

The first hour introduces us to Bridget’s grief at the passing of Mark Darcy (Colin Firth), her partner and the father of her kids. The harsh reality of raising two young children soon faces Bridget, contrasting her much ‘livelier’ younger self as seen in previous movies.

Yet with encouraging pals like Jude (Shirley Henderson) advising Bridget to ‘get back into the dating pool,’ Bridget finds herself being pushed out of her single era and into modern dating life. But can Bridget let go of Mark so soon? We see how Bridget finds it difficult to let go of her cherished memories.

As the movie continues, it's apparent that it's not just a sob story after all. The comedy (plenty) keeps the film joyous, with scenes involving Daniel Cleaver being the funniest. (Maybe I am a biased Hugh Grant fan - read our previous Heretic review).

Hugh Grant steals the scenes when babysitting Bridget's kids as ‘Uncle Daniel,’ although the ‘uncle’ title makes him sad about his fading youth. The plot is a surprise to no one, but that’s what makes it a comforting watch. The new characters and love interests - Leo Woodall and Chiwetel Ejiofor, men of many montages and removal of shirts - make Bridget’s journey of rediscovery a bit more exciting. However, it is Bridget herself who makes the movie worth watching, from her struggles in the kitchen to the difficulty of solo parenting kids Billy and Mabel.

As life begins to wear her down, the dating app Tinder lands Bridget a meeting with a man half her age. But that's not all, as Bridget also meets up with her kids' new science teacher. However, with her unemployment, grief and a life to get back on track, dating seems like a challenge.

Direction and Cinematography

The direction of the film creates the same vibe as its predecessors in the series, maintaining the scatty and clumsy style. Cinematographer Stuart Dryburgh, Academy Award winner for The Piano, highlights his efforts to display Bridget Jones as a female-centric story. This is reflected in the production design of the film, with Bridget’s little Hampstead apartment, simple painted backgrounds and the variation in lighting to depict different intensities of the scenes from light-hearted to those filled with grief.

Why You Should Watch This Movie

First things first: Queen Mary Halls residents can claim free Genesis cinema tickets every month! This month's drop on the 24th February means you'll be just in time to watch Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy, or whatever movie you choose. (Check back soon for our review of Captain America: Brave New World!)

Secondly, Mad About the Boy is the perfect film to watch with friends (better with our free tickets), as her journey of love and self-discovery can help add to your connection. You’ll see how her friends step in to help her through tough moments, sparking conversations about friendship and challenges in your own life. The cinema is where the shared experience of watching the film together is heightened, as you hear different reactions from the audience, making it even more enjoyable.

Plus, discussing the movie post-the-credits with your friends is always fun and exciting!

Final Thoughts

‘Mad About the Boy’ is a cosy watch and, in my opinion, more engaging than its prequel. Yet Bridget Jones’s Diary takes the cake and, if you haven’t already, I recommend watching it before Mad About the Boy.

If you are looking for a romantic comedy that reminds you of old classics, Mad About the Boy should be on your watchlist! (Better watch it free with ResLife!) So grab your popcorn, drinks and friends to tune into this romantic comedy at Genesis.

Read our other movie reviews here to keep up with all the latest movies and to find your next binge-watch!