Bridget Jones: Mad about the Boy, Film Review.

Bridget Jones has been a British institution for almost a quarter century. It’s so convincingly British, that it’s one of the few occasions where we unanimously don’t mind that a British icon is actually played by an American.

I’ll admit, I’ve never actually seen one of these films. So, I went into Mad About the Boy ready to sneer at what I expected to be a boring and stereotypical romantic comedy. But I’m refreshed to say that I thoroughly enjoyed this film.

It is the fourth instalment in the series, the first one in nine years. It tells the story of single mother Bridget, who is looking for love again after mourning the death of her husband.

The humour is quintessentially British. Exemplified by Hugh Grant’s brilliant rich bachelor archetype. His introductory scene where he answers the phone to Bridget in the middle of a slam poetry performance is hilarious. Telling her how he’s going to make her orgasm, after lying to the people around him that he’s on the phone to his sick mother.

The romantic moments are heart-warming too. The narrative strand with the Bridget’s younger companion Roxster is lovely. The unlikely pair come together in a passionate fling fuelled by romance. Before separating, when they realise that they can never work out, in a sad but hopeful break up scene. It’s a bit melodramatic the blurred background close ups, but it’s self-aware, and adds to the charm.

What’s not so self-aware are the undertones of wealth and exclusivity. Bridget and her children live in a four-bed in Hamstead, right by the heath. But she presents herself as the poor, humble relation to all her friends living in Georgian-pillared homes in Kensington.

When she goes back to work, she describes her worst fear, as a single mother, is her children becoming “alcoholic drones of the state”. Ah yes, the fate of all of those who were raised by a single mother. And what a lovely way for a film to represent those who need support from the government.

It does give the film a slightly sinister message, that love and happiness are available to all of those who can afford it.

However, if you can look past this, Bridget Jones: Mad about the Boy is nice, easy watch, with a relatable romantic and family-based story.

7/10