They say women are at their most confident in between the ages of 30 and 40. So what happens when you’re 43, single and celebrating what should be the best years of your life alone in your tiny London apartment?
Bridget Jones’ Baby poses that very question as Bridget Jones returns to screens with yet another comedic dilemma. A much older yet svelte figured Renée Zellweger returns as the titular character, along with Colin Firth, who returns as Mark Darcy and Patrick Dempsey, who plays Jack Qwant, a.k.a Hugh Grant’s replacement.
The film follows the affable Bridget Jones, who, after the previous film and consequent break up with Darcy is now a successful news producer albeit being single and in her 40s. Giving up on the idea of ever finding her perfect man, life takes her down a different path when she meets Jack, a wealthy American Entrepreneur. And just as her self-confidence and semblance of sanity returns, fate hurls Darcy back into her life again.
Unaccustomed to making good decisions, Bridget has a one night stand with both men (on separate occasions, of course) and inevitably learns that she is pregnant. What results is a series of unorthodox, completely laugh out loud series of Bridget Jones-esque antics as well as the drama of being torn yet again between two dashingly, charming and handsome men. What are chore that must be.
Having been a bit too young to see the first two films, I was hesitant about watching this instalment without knowing the history behind the film and its characters. I was pleasantly surprised with the way in which this film introduces each character with a narration by Bridget herself, detailing the relationship each character has with her. Moreover, the film utilised a series of flashbacks done in such a way that it painted the perfect picture of the love and connection shared between Darcy and Bridget.
Bridget Jones’ Baby is in every way a romantic comedy perfect for a girls’ night out. The story, whilst predictable and relatively standard of a rom-com, touches on some issues that women face in today’s day and age, such as being determined to remain relevant in an industry that is slowly being replaced with younger, trendier and viral video savvy employees. The film also praises and shows acceptance of single, older mothers, which illustrates the change in society’s thinking of women only being able to be accepted as doting mothers if below the age of 35 and happily married. These aspects of womanhood were refreshing to see on screen.
Romance is aplenty in this film with Darcy’s chivalry, socially awkward charm and the way in which he looks at Bridget and of course, Jack’s oh-so-romantic methods to woo Bridget and show her his potential to be the love of her life. Ah, the things men do when in love. As a member of the female population, it was difficult not to long for a similar kind of romance and to be swept of my feet by a dashing Prince Charming.
Needless to say, the comedy and humour was on point. There was a broad range of gags and laugh out loud moments that balanced out the level of drama within the film. The humour was on point and catered perfectly to the film’s target audiences.
All in all, Bridget Jones’ Baby brought with it a nice and satisfying ending to the the topsy-turvy life of Bridget Jones. The film wrapped up the trilogy neatly and in a way that left viewers with the good feeling of finally knowing who Bridget ends up with. With a series of mishaps, mayhem and men, Bridget Jones has finally come out of the awkward single life and has finally settled down with her perfect dream man.
But what about Hugh Grant? Watch the film and find out.
