Bridget Jones 4 Review: Mad About the Movie
Image Credits: Tatler
The urge to give away details under the guise of sharing my favourite moments from the movie is itching at me, but I do promise that this is a spoiler-free review.
Look, I’ll be the first to admit I’m not the biggest fan of sequels. Actually, I actively dislike them. I’ve been burned too many times – Legally Blonde 2, Mean Girls 2, whatever that Kissing Booth abomination was. So, when I heard there was going to be a fourth Bridget Jones, I braced myself for disappointment.
But blimey, was I wrong.
Bridget Jones first clumsily stumbled into my life on Netflix a few years ago, before which I had never really ventured into British romcoms. But three days and three movies later, I was a changed person. She’s chaotic, charming, and arguably the most relatable character to ever grace our screens. And even nine years later, Renée Zellweger has the same whimsical charm as she effortlessly steps back into Bridget’s slightly wobbly heels like she never left.
But a Bridget Jones movie is nothing without its men, and this time we’ve got the effortlessly handsome Leo Woodall and the charismatic Chiwetel Ejiofor. Both make for excellent additions to Bridget’s ever-growing list of romantic entanglements, but the star of the show, despite his limited screen time, is a perfect Hugh Grant reprising his role as Daniel Cleaver. He’s as delightfully sleazy as ever, oozing charm in his signature playboy role, and his comedic timing is impeccable. Seriously, give the man an award for making arrogance this entertaining.
Speaking of comedy, this movie nails it. The script is packed with sharp one-liners, swearing is deployed with military precision, and even the most mundane moments spiral into comedic brilliance. Surprisingly, Leo Woodall – who I mostly associated with brooding and poor decisions in One Day – has a delightful knack for comedy that I did not see coming. Who knew?
One of my favourite things about this sequel is how well it integrates modern technology into its characters’ lives without making me want to throw my phone at the screen. So many movies try too hard to be ‘Gen-Z approved’ (cough Netflix originals cough), and it’s unbearable. But Bridget Jones 4 understands the assignment. There are no forced TikTok dances or painful attempts at modern slang – just a seamless, natural update to Bridget’s chaotic world.
And then there are the emotional gut punches. Let me tell you, I was not prepared. At one particularly heartbreaking moment, the lady next to me wordlessly handed me a tissue like we were war veterans in the trenches together. When I tell you the entire cinema was sniffling, I mean it. This is the kind of collective movie-watching experience we don’t get enough of anymore.
So, if you, like me, were hesitant about a fourth Bridget Jones movie, let me put your mind at ease: it’s good. It’s actually great. And it’s easily the best sequel in the franchise. It’s funny, heartfelt, and beautifully nostalgic – the kind of film that reminds you why romcoms still matter. If you don’t see it in cinemas, you’ll be missing out on something special.
Go. Laugh. Cry. Fall head over heels for Bridget all over again. And if you need me, I’ll be wandering around London, holding out hope for a chance encounter with Hugh Grant or Leo Woodall – because frankly, this film has only deepened my completely impractical crushes on both.