“Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy” is a new addition to the Bridget Jones saga. The film gives us a current glimpse at Bridget Jones’ life, with recurring cast members who reunite for a hilarious and witty romantic comedy that encapsulates the ebbs and flows of grief, friendship, and love.
Bridget, played by Renée Zellweger, is a recently widowed mother of two children, Billy and Mabel, who attend school in London. The three struggle to cope with the loss of their father and husband, a humanitarian lawyer who was tragically killed reporting on a mission in Sudan.
The Jones’ days have become blurred and Bridget’s self-care is nonexistent as she manages grief while raising her two children. But with the support of her endearing and loving friends, Bridget finds herself thrown into the new generation of online dating, thanks to Tinder.
As she stretches her arms to the back of her dress to close the zipper, she thinks to herself, “Zip manufacturers should be canceled for sociological bias. It is actually impossible to do this on your own.” Throughout the movie, it becomes clear that this criticism is a seamless metaphor for her life.
As she scrambles around the kitchen to prepare for her night out, the children watch as their spaghetti catches fire. She phones her longtime friend, whom the children refer to as Uncle Daniel, to babysit during her outing.
Among the chaos at home, Bridget compares herself to the other mothers at school who seem to have it all figured out – not to mention the new science teacher, Mr. Wallaker, who gives Billy his first “C.”
The film explores Bridget’s own path to healing. The advice she receives from her friends is hard for her to comprehend; dealing with her grief becomes a conundrum of contradictions. Yet her dearest friends from life and work urge her to take back her role as a TV producer and start dating in the modern world.
Billy and Mabel find themselves stuck after climbing a tree, only to be graciously rescued by the young and hot park guide, Roxster. Coincidentally, Bridget’s Tinder matches her with the “Tree Adonis,” Roxster.
At a party, an inebriated Roxster confesses his wish for a time machine regarding their age difference. Heartbreak rocks Bridget’s world, followed by betrayal and the inevitable act of ghosting. While it may have been predictable for this generation, it was a total blow to Bridget.
Viewers can feel the sinking moments of Roxster’s unreasonable silent treatment. The movie continues as Mr. Wallaker takes center stage in Bridget’s life. With school outings and parent-teacher conferences bringing them closer together, their love and passion also seem to mend the hearts of Billy and Mabel.
The broken pieces of Bridget’s life slowly but surely fit back together. The admiration of her coworkers and her cultivated family of deeply bonded friends is a testament that one cannot zip life up on their own.
