Lisa Johson Mandell’s Bridget Jones’s Baby review says the threequel improves on the book

When I heard they were making a third Bridget Jones installment, I prayed it would be nothing like the third book, Mad About the Boy,  that opens with one of our favorite characters dead, and continues with a story half told through Bridget’s drunken tweeting. It was a bit of  a mess, to say the least. But as the film opened, I saw that a very different character had amusingly kicked the bucket and he wouldn’t be missed. I was happy that the film would apparently set out for uncharted and undocumented territory, and I was not disappointed. Bridget Jones’s Baby is two hours of sheer delight, with (almost) everyone back and better than ever.

We begin with Bridget (Renee Zellweger, looking realistically worn but charming) having reached her early 40’s, unattached romantically, but happy and successful in a job with co-workers who feel like family. Perhaps I loved the film so much because I could totally relate. But as with all good rom coms, change is afoot. Through a series of coincidental meetings with Mark Darcy (Colin Firth, looking appropriately stuffy and befuddled), the old spark is rekindled. About the same time, she happens upon a handsome stranger (Patrick Dempsey, looking perfectly McDreamy) at a music festival, and has a wild fling. Meanwhile, ironic hipsters invade her workplace, turning it into a disconcerting shadow of itself. Again, I can relate. The pregnancy that ensues, with the patriarchy in question, ties everything together.

I think a good deal of the film’s irresistible charm comes from the script, co-written by Emma Thompson, Dan Mazer and Helen Fielding (the author of the book series). Thompson, by the way, plays Bridget’s uproariously dry OBGYN, proving her comedy chops both behind and in front of the camera. She is a treasure, and keeps us laughing all the way.

As does Zellweger. What a fun surprise to see that she hasn’t lost her touch after all these years, playing an infinitely engaging singleton–you commiserate with her throughout, and don’t resent her choices or actions for one second.  It gives me hope for the sequel in the Me Before You series. The first book, and movie, were everything we’d hoped for. The followup book, After You, was a huge letdown. Perhaps they’ll get Emma Thompson to write the screenplay, and help it live up to and surpass our expectations.

Rated R

2 Hours 2 Minutes

Get times and tickets at Fandango.com

BRIDGET JONES’S BABY Review – Improving With Age

by Lisa Johnson Mandell