Bridget Jones's Baby - Review
Director: Sharon Maguire
Cast: Renee Zellweger, Colin Firth, Patrick Dempsey.
It's been twelve years since we last saw Bridget Jones grace our screens, and quite frankly, I've missed watching her endure the trials and tribulations of a single thirty-something with a penchant for awkward escapades. Understandably, I was apprehensive about the return of everyone's favourite granny-pant wearing, every-day heroine. Does Bridget Jones's Baby confirm my deepest fears? Or does it exceed my wildest expectations?
The eponymous Bridget Jones (Renee Zellweger), now in her early forties, finds herself single once again after splitting from Mr Darcy (Colin Firth), but she has risen up the ranks in the workplace. Having had fleeting dalliances with Mark Darcy himself and hunky American business tycoon Jack Quant (Patrick Dempsey), Bridget finds herself up the duff - and well and truly confused as to who the father is. As the two potential suitors fight for her affection, Bridget must juggle impending motherhood, work woes and baby-daddy drama.
For a film given the label of a rom-com, two questions must be asked; is it romantic? Is it comical? The answers to both of these questions is a resounding yes! Whilst the humour may not resonate every time and some pieces of dialogue intending to be comedic can feel like fillers until the next genuinely rib-tickling joke comes along, the majority of the film will coerce much deserved laughs. Co-writer Emma Thompson conveniently arranges for her character, Dr. Rawling, to deliver some of the film's funniest quips in the most winning fashion, particularly when she warns Mark and Jack with the analogy that watching a woman give birth from the "business end" is like watching your favourite pub perish. The moments of slapstick and physical comedy are also deftly handled, demonstrated most overtly during the sequence where Mark and Jack manoeuvre Bridget into hospital through a snug revolving door.
Whist the comedy is excellent, the beating heart of the franchise remains Bridget herself, and in turn, Zellweger's performance. Much (frankly sexist) furore has been made about Zellweger's differing appearance in the media, but she is still most definitely the Bridget we know and love. In her past two ventures, Bridget has certainly been prone to vulnerability; whether she's turning up to her parents dignified tea party dressed as a slutty bunny or skydiving into a pig-sty on live television. However, in Bridget Jones's Baby, our unlikely leading lady has never felt more emotionally vulnerable as she prepares herself to tackled motherhood, impress her new hipster television executives and reconcile her feelings toward the two romantic interests in her life. Even though there is a recognisable maturity, Ms Jones is still as awkward and charming as ever before.
Equally impressive to Zellweger's performance is Colin Firth's as Mark Darcy, who unlike in the previous entires, generates an alarming and surprising amount of sympathy. Firth demonstrates the heartbreaking ability to convey a series of emotions through the slightest adjustments in his facial expressions. For example, as he watches Bridget dance to the K-pop sensation 'Gangnam Style', without a second thought as to who's watching her, he gazes on at her with exasperation, bemusement and finally adoration. Mr Darcy also becomes very aware of his own flaws that contributed to the demise of his and Bridget's relationship and that continue to dog his life during the pregnancy debacle. In regards to Jack Quant, the dashing and super-sweet American, Dempsey adds little depth or layers beyond the handsome veneer of the character. Sure, he's a nice guy, but you'll never really root for him to claim Bridget's heart (or baby, for that matter). Although, having the relationship between Mark and Bridget developed for over a decade, it's difficult to fathom any other romantic pairing.
Bridget Jones's Baby, in conclusion, is unexpectedly emotional, albeit somewhat predictable and sentimental. But there is no doubt that Bridget fans will be satisfied with this entry's denouement, and you'll fist pump the air in celebration of everyone's favourite relatable heroine.
EB
Cast: Renee Zellweger, Colin Firth, Patrick Dempsey.
It's been twelve years since we last saw Bridget Jones grace our screens, and quite frankly, I've missed watching her endure the trials and tribulations of a single thirty-something with a penchant for awkward escapades. Understandably, I was apprehensive about the return of everyone's favourite granny-pant wearing, every-day heroine. Does Bridget Jones's Baby confirm my deepest fears? Or does it exceed my wildest expectations?
The eponymous Bridget Jones (Renee Zellweger), now in her early forties, finds herself single once again after splitting from Mr Darcy (Colin Firth), but she has risen up the ranks in the workplace. Having had fleeting dalliances with Mark Darcy himself and hunky American business tycoon Jack Quant (Patrick Dempsey), Bridget finds herself up the duff - and well and truly confused as to who the father is. As the two potential suitors fight for her affection, Bridget must juggle impending motherhood, work woes and baby-daddy drama.
For a film given the label of a rom-com, two questions must be asked; is it romantic? Is it comical? The answers to both of these questions is a resounding yes! Whilst the humour may not resonate every time and some pieces of dialogue intending to be comedic can feel like fillers until the next genuinely rib-tickling joke comes along, the majority of the film will coerce much deserved laughs. Co-writer Emma Thompson conveniently arranges for her character, Dr. Rawling, to deliver some of the film's funniest quips in the most winning fashion, particularly when she warns Mark and Jack with the analogy that watching a woman give birth from the "business end" is like watching your favourite pub perish. The moments of slapstick and physical comedy are also deftly handled, demonstrated most overtly during the sequence where Mark and Jack manoeuvre Bridget into hospital through a snug revolving door.
Whist the comedy is excellent, the beating heart of the franchise remains Bridget herself, and in turn, Zellweger's performance. Much (frankly sexist) furore has been made about Zellweger's differing appearance in the media, but she is still most definitely the Bridget we know and love. In her past two ventures, Bridget has certainly been prone to vulnerability; whether she's turning up to her parents dignified tea party dressed as a slutty bunny or skydiving into a pig-sty on live television. However, in Bridget Jones's Baby, our unlikely leading lady has never felt more emotionally vulnerable as she prepares herself to tackled motherhood, impress her new hipster television executives and reconcile her feelings toward the two romantic interests in her life. Even though there is a recognisable maturity, Ms Jones is still as awkward and charming as ever before.
Equally impressive to Zellweger's performance is Colin Firth's as Mark Darcy, who unlike in the previous entires, generates an alarming and surprising amount of sympathy. Firth demonstrates the heartbreaking ability to convey a series of emotions through the slightest adjustments in his facial expressions. For example, as he watches Bridget dance to the K-pop sensation 'Gangnam Style', without a second thought as to who's watching her, he gazes on at her with exasperation, bemusement and finally adoration. Mr Darcy also becomes very aware of his own flaws that contributed to the demise of his and Bridget's relationship and that continue to dog his life during the pregnancy debacle. In regards to Jack Quant, the dashing and super-sweet American, Dempsey adds little depth or layers beyond the handsome veneer of the character. Sure, he's a nice guy, but you'll never really root for him to claim Bridget's heart (or baby, for that matter). Although, having the relationship between Mark and Bridget developed for over a decade, it's difficult to fathom any other romantic pairing.
Bridget Jones's Baby, in conclusion, is unexpectedly emotional, albeit somewhat predictable and sentimental. But there is no doubt that Bridget fans will be satisfied with this entry's denouement, and you'll fist pump the air in celebration of everyone's favourite relatable heroine.
EB
Comments
Post a Comment