The big question is whether this version of Bridget – i.e. one who is more together in her life, which is a lot less interesting and entertaining – will pick between the handsome, reserved British guy who clearly cares deeply for her, or the handsome, affable American guy who clearly cares deeply for her. Maybe it’s just because, like Bridget, I’m several years older now and my tastes have refined, but I don’t recall laughter in the theater the first time….at least not like I heard with this one. Points, though, to Emma Thompson, who plays Bridget’s obstetrician with a ideal blend of biting wit and bitter sarcasm, and who co-wrote the screenplay with Fielding and Dan Mazer.
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We’ve seen Bridget grow over two decades, with a range of unsuitable boyfriends, trousers and life decisions, but she might not be done yet.
She was the extremely likeable girl-next-door who never quite got anything right, especially when it came to love, and seemed destined to spend her last days surrounded by cats, sipping white wine while joining in with Eric Carmen singing All By Myself.
So when Bridget discovers she’s pregnant, she doesn’t know who the father is, Jack or Mark. Specifically, two men: Her caddish boss Daniel (Hugh Grant) and Mark Darcy (Colin Firth), an emotionally reserved barrister. But it works when Mr. Darcy and Bridget dance around the elephant in the franchise-can’t these two ultimately embrace their undying love for one another?
Zellweger’s new look really bothered me. The jokes, such as they are, are really not that amusing – thank god for Emma Thompson! – and the idea of throwing a cameo in from Ed Sheeran feels very out of place. But to add to her complications, Mark Darcy reenters her life after he announces his marriage is over.
Renee Zellweger and Colin Firth star in “Bridget Jones’s Baby”. The second installment was released 12 years ago; the third and recent installment was just released to the theatres this month. It won’t disappoint and promises to make you laugh so hard you cry (or pee a little as middle aged women are prone to do).
Based on the character created by novelist Helen Fielding, Bridget is a plucky single girl who works at a TV station in London. Either man would have made a great father for her baby. Co-writer Emma Thompson, meanwhile, gets some of the best gags as Bridget’s dryly witty obstetrician.
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Zellweger can still make viewers sympathetic toward Bridget’s misfortunes in part because Bridget has some traces of wisdom to go with the passing years.
