Film Review: Bridget Jones's Baby

 

Twelve years after the release of the second film in the Bridget Jones franchise, comes the third instalment. There has been a lot of speculation over how close the story line has been kept to the book, whether the main character is relatable with Renee Zellweger refusing to put the weight back on, and how an American love interest will take over Hugh Grant’s role. However, although the film has been said to have flopped in America, it has done the opposite in the UK.

Unlike the previous two films, this one is a little slow starting on the humour front. However, once the comedy gets going, it’s impossible not to laugh out loud on many occasions. With films like Sausage Party in cinemas at the moment showcasing the immature, sexual and very easy side of humour, it’s refreshing to have a genuinely funny film on the big screen. However, it’s not just Zellweger (Bridget Jones) making you giggle, without Hugh Grant stealing the show, Colin Firth showed a funnier side to his character, Mark Darcy. Patrick Dempsey brings a new Americanised character to the film, which seems to work in contrast with the British humour.

For the first fifteen minutes of the film, it’s a little difficult to see Bridget Jones as we all know and love her, with the weight loss, the great job, and her face looking noticeably different. However, it doesn’t take long to learn to love her and her embarrassing antics all over again, as Zellweger once again channels her inner Bridget. Apart from a bit of ageing, Mr Darcy is very much the same character he has been for the past 15 years, and if anything, Colin Firth has managed to make him even more loveable in this film. Although Patrick Dempsey played the character of the exotic, good looking American love interest as well as anyone could have, there is a sense of chemistry missing between his character and Mr Darcy. Maybe this was where Hugh Grant’s character, Daniel Cleaver was missed, and if anything Jack Qwant was a slightly annoying replacement. However, Bridget’s new best friend and co-worker Miranda, played by Sarah Solemani, brings out a wonderful new side of Bridget, and their chemistry works perfectly for the humour.

Unfortunately Bridget’s friendship group from the previous two films are less important characters in this instalment. However, this is because all three either have children or are trying to have children, which is in fact a very realistic story line for a single woman at the age of 43 that doesn’t have a child, so in fact the characters aren’t missed too much. There is also a story line with her mother which actually helps Pamela Jones become more likeable than in the previous two films.

The plot of the movie may seem a little out there. Not so much the being pregnant and not knowing for sure who the father is, but more the amount of time she leads both men on into thinking the child is theirs. However, unlike some films, the lie isn’t drawn out too long, and when Bridget does find the time to inform both characters, it’s clear which character you’re rooting for to be the dad. You’re also kept on your toes right until the very end on which man is in fact the father, and which one she ends up marrying.

The film is left on a small cliff-hanger that has kept the option of a fourth film open, however, there is no fourth book so it would be a completely new story. Whether there is need for a fourth film or they should just stick with the trilogy is up to you to decide, but in terms of whether this film is worth watching, it most certainly is! It’s hilarious, it’s fun, and once again you become completely immersed into Bridget’s topsy turvy life.

Bridget Jones’s Baby is on general release now and will be showing at Broadway Cinema until Thursday 29 September 2016.