Bridget Jones's Baby Reviewed
I have a confession to make that may negate everything I have to say about Bridget Jones’s Baby and it is this: I have never seen Bridget Jones's Diary. I know –how could I, a self-proclaimed lover of romantic comedies, have never seen a movie with both Colin Firth and Hugh Grant? Somehow it has just never crossed my path. I know full well while writing this that fans of the original may dismiss my opinion, but I can answer something equally important. Does the latest movie in the Bridget Jones trilogy stand on its own 12 years after the first? Can you bring someone who hasn’t seen the other two Bridget Jones movies and expect them to still enjoy themselves?
Some of you may be wondering why Hugh Grant isn’t in this movie. Grant decided not to sign on to do a third movie after reportedly having a problem with the script. Bridget Jones’s Baby is the first movie in the series not based on the corresponding novel. The producers instead decided to make an original script with the help of the author of the novel, Helen Fielding. Grant, however, didn’t like the new direction of the story and opted out.
But how would the producers explain the absence of Daniel? They kill him off of course. The movie opens and within the first five minutes Bridget is attending the funeral of Daniel, who died in a plane crash. But don’t worry it’s not a downer; in fact I found myself laughing a couple times, which is rather odd, but it helps to set the tone for the movie. At the funeral Bridget sees Mr. Darcy (Colin Firth) with his new wife, because after all this time Mark and Bridget still haven’t been able to make it work.
The second thing they do is introduce a new character and love interest for Bridget Jones in Jack (Patrick Dempsey). After spending another birthday alone, one of Bridget’s new friends decides to take her out to a musical festival and there she meets Jack. At the festival Bridget gets a little bump and grind in the form of a one night stand and then one week later does much the same with Mr. Darcy after finding out he’s getting a divorce. Thus we have two potential fathers for Bridget Jones's baby.
Some of you may be wondering why Hugh Grant isn’t in this movie. Grant decided not to sign on to do a third movie after reportedly having a problem with the script. Bridget Jones’s Baby is the first movie in the series not based on the corresponding novel. The producers instead decided to make an original script with the help of the author of the novel, Helen Fielding. Grant, however, didn’t like the new direction of the story and opted out.
But how would the producers explain the absence of Daniel? They kill him off of course. The movie opens and within the first five minutes Bridget is attending the funeral of Daniel, who died in a plane crash. But don’t worry it’s not a downer; in fact I found myself laughing a couple times, which is rather odd, but it helps to set the tone for the movie. At the funeral Bridget sees Mr. Darcy (Colin Firth) with his new wife, because after all this time Mark and Bridget still haven’t been able to make it work.
The second thing they do is introduce a new character and love interest for Bridget Jones in Jack (Patrick Dempsey). After spending another birthday alone, one of Bridget’s new friends decides to take her out to a musical festival and there she meets Jack. At the festival Bridget gets a little bump and grind in the form of a one night stand and then one week later does much the same with Mr. Darcy after finding out he’s getting a divorce. Thus we have two potential fathers for Bridget Jones's baby.
Still trying to make it work at a hospital huh McDreamy?
Fans of the trilogy will no doubt be rooting for Colin Firth’s Mr. Darcy to be the father of the child. I have no prior allegiances to these characters and I don't know any of the backstory. The only thing I do know is Patrick Dempsey is delightful. He has a great smile, a chiseled chin, and he’s funny. Dempsey’s Jack isn’t like Daniel Cleaver; Jack is actually a good guy. I enjoyed being around him much more than the all-work-no-play Mr. Darcy. Throughout the movie we get a glimpse of Mr. Darcy and Bridget’s dating life and it just didn't seem like it worked out too well. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed Firth’s performance. His delivery was dry in the best way for some of the bigger laughs in the movie – he’s just not my type.
As I was leaving the theater I heard a lot of women laughing and telling friends, “Oh my God, that is so me.” One of Renee Zellweger’s best attributes is she connects with the audience, likely because the character of Bridget comes naturally to her. I did hear one woman complain that she was disappointed Bridget was portrayed as thin at the start of this movie; I hope it comes as a small condolence to this fan that for the other half Bridget was carrying another person inside her, and also that she’s not real.
I think fans of the series will be happy with Bridget Jones’s Baby. I can also confidently say if you have never seen another Bridget Jones movie there is enough in the story for you to enjoy it as well. The narrative works independently of the other movies, the characters are well-developed and funny, and added bonus Emma Thompson is in the movie too and she’s great. The only warning I will give you is that if you find yourself rooting for Patrick Dempsey don’t say it out loud. The Darcy faithful will have none of it. B
As I was leaving the theater I heard a lot of women laughing and telling friends, “Oh my God, that is so me.” One of Renee Zellweger’s best attributes is she connects with the audience, likely because the character of Bridget comes naturally to her. I did hear one woman complain that she was disappointed Bridget was portrayed as thin at the start of this movie; I hope it comes as a small condolence to this fan that for the other half Bridget was carrying another person inside her, and also that she’s not real.
I think fans of the series will be happy with Bridget Jones’s Baby. I can also confidently say if you have never seen another Bridget Jones movie there is enough in the story for you to enjoy it as well. The narrative works independently of the other movies, the characters are well-developed and funny, and added bonus Emma Thompson is in the movie too and she’s great. The only warning I will give you is that if you find yourself rooting for Patrick Dempsey don’t say it out loud. The Darcy faithful will have none of it. B
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