TL;DR
Bridget Jones is back in a surprisingly mature fourth installment, *Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy*. Now a single mom, Bridget navigates life, work, and a new, albeit somewhat underdeveloped, romantic triangle. Renée Zellweger shines, balancing comedy and drama, and Hugh Grant makes a welcome return. Despite a shocking twist integral to the plot, the film remains accessible and emotionally resonant, even for newcomers. While the Blu-ray offers solid technical quality and bonus features, a 4K UHD release is tricky to find. Discover if this latest chapter lives up to the series' legacy! Read on for the full review.
In Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, we encounter Bridget (Renée Zellweger) in a profoundly new phase of life. Four years have elapsed since a tragic event profoundly altered her life. Now a single mother of two, she navigates the complexities of daily life, work, parenthood, and a cautious re-entry into the dating world. The central question remains whether a more mature Bridget ultimately fares better than her younger self.
First Encounter with Bridget Jones
Interestingly, my initial viewing of this film, the fourth installment in the series, occurred without prior exposure to Bridget’s preceding narrative. Despite this unconventional introduction, I found myself engaged with the storyline and appreciated this installment considerably, noting its notably more mature tone and thematic depth compared to its predecessors. To contextualize the series, I subsequently viewed the first film after seeing Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy. Fans of the Bridget Jones series are likely to appreciate this sequel, despite a highly unexpected narrative twist—present in both the film and the source novel—for which I was unprepared.
An Emotional Journey
The narrative necessity of this twist is clear; it is integral to the existence of both the film and the book. Renée Zellweger delivers a compelling performance in her signature role, expertly balancing comedic elements with dramatic depth. As previously noted, this installment distinguishes itself from earlier films in the series. The film evoked significant emotional responses on multiple occasions.
Hugh Grant and New Characters
Another notable highlight is the inimitable Hugh Grant, whose recent roles have showcased a broader range beyond his previously established wholesome persona. Grant delivers a pitch-perfect performance, serving as an excellent thematic counterpoint.
Bridget’s new romantic interests are introduced through the charismatic Roxster (Leo Woodall) and the more reserved teacher Mr. Scott Wallaker (Chiwetel Ejiofor). While the film develops a romantic arc between these characters, it occasionally feels somewhat underdeveloped, lacking the compelling dynamic of her previous relationships. This is unfortunate, given the otherwise strong production quality of the film. A particularly humorous sequence depicts Bridget’s vain attempt to achieve fuller lips, exemplifying the film’s comedic strengths.
Technical Aspects and Releases
Regrettably, a Swedish UHD release of Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy is unavailable. Enthusiasts seeking 4K presentation will need to import the disc from international markets.
Nevertheless, the Blu-ray release offers commendable technical quality. The image is presented in a 2.39:1 aspect ratio with a sharp and vibrant 1080p transfer. The color palette is warm and natural, characterized by soft pastels. Skin tones are accurately reproduced, and environmental and interior details exhibit excellent clarity.
The audio track, presented in Dolby TrueHD 5.1, delivers a balanced and clear soundstage. Dialogue remains crystal clear, music is seamlessly integrated, and surround channels are utilized subtly yet effectively to enhance atmospheric immersion. While the audio quality is satisfactory, the inclusion of a high-resolution Dolby Atmos track on the Blu-ray disc would have been a preferred enhancement.
The disc also includes a substantial collection of bonus material, comprising deleted scenes, a behind-the-scenes documentary, and interviews with the cast and director. However, the absence of a commentary track is a notable omission.
In summary, *Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy* warrants a recommendation. Despite being the fourth installment in its series, the film maintains accessibility even for newcomers. Essential contextual information is provided, and the film adeptly combines emotional depth with comedic elements. While its reception among long-standing Bridget Jones devotees may vary, it is certainly worth a viewing.
SF Studios provided review copies for this evaluation. The supplier of the material exerts no editorial influence on our reviews; our content is always independently produced with our readers and consumers as the primary focus.
