I Loved Bridget Jones, But Mad About The Boy Isn’t The One

During my upbringing in the 2000s, the Bridget Jones series served as the ultimate comfort films for me. Even now, I find myself laughing with my family and friends at the cringe-inducing scenes featuring Bridget’s antics, such as climbing a fireman’s pole on national television and engaging in hilarious fistfights in fountains with her love interests.

When news of more Bridget Jones content surfaced, I was initially thrilled… until I learned which book by author Helen Fielding was being adapted. Unfortunately, my fears were confirmed after watching the newly released trailer for the film.

Spoilers for Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy below

The fourth installment of the series will bring back the relatable, lovable, and clumsy Bridget Jones, portrayed once again by Renée Zellweger. However, the storyline reveals that her true love, Mark Darcy (Colin Firth), tragically passed away four years prior to the events of this new film while on a humanitarian mission in Sudan, as stated in the official synopsis from Variety.

The first trailer for the film showcases our rom-com heroine navigating life as a widow and mother of two young children, Billy and Mabel. We witness Bridget imagining her late husband by her side and expressing her longing for him to her daughter.

Romance still plays a significant role in the storyline, as we see Bridget reentering the dating scene with a 29-year-old toy boy portrayed by Leo Woodall.

While exploring the complexities of a love life after losing a soulmate is a nuanced narrative to explore, it deviates from the essence of what drew audiences to Bridget Jones in the first place.

While certain aspects of the original films may not have aged well, the core love story between Bridget and Mark has stood the test of time.

All three films in the franchise built up a solid romance between the pair, overcoming various obstacles to achieve the endgame that many viewers dream of.

To abruptly kill off Mark feels like a disservice to the meticulously crafted tale. While Fielding may be challenging traditional views of a happy ending, it’s difficult to muster excitement for a story guaranteed to evoke sadness.

Despite this, the fourth Bridget Jones film does offer the return of Daniel Cleaver, as well as familiar characters such as Shazzer, Jude, Tom, and Bridget’s parents. The film is set to debut on the US streaming platform Peacock on February 13, 2025, with an international cinematic release on February 14 – Valentine’s Day.

For now, I’ll stick to rewatching the original three films during the festive season, as it will take some convincing for me to embrace a Bridget Jones narrative without Mark Darcy.

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