Last week saw the return of the Bridget Jones’s franchise in Bridget Jones’s Baby. Twelve years after the last instalment, the final result is a film that does provide laughs, but ultimately falls under Hollywood cliches.Â
It has been a rocky road for everyone’s favourite shambolic, awkward and endearing Bridget Jones (Renee Zellwegger). Her affairs of the heart are just as complicated as ever as we learn that Bridget’s happily ever after with the mirthless Mr Darcy (Colin Firth) was not so ever after.
The film begins with Bridget’s 43rd birthday celebration: single and alone, wearing her pyjamas. The film creatively shows Bridget fifteen years ago singing “All By Myself” then transitioning to a more energetic dance number in “Jump Around”, as the audience is drawn back to the character we’ve missed.
Despite her single status, many things have changed for Bridget having reached her goal weight (and then some), quit smoking for 1,891 days and enjoys her prestigious job as a producer at a top news station. Some things however, never change. Bridget is still prone to making a fool of herself with her inability to control and monitor what she says.
Bridget is unknowingly taken to a music festival by best friend Miranda (Sarah Solemani), where she meets the dreamy Jack Qwant (Patrick Dempsey), and indulges in a one-night fling with the mysterious man (at least so she thought). Six-days later, Bridget reunites with Mr Darcy at a christening and finds herself indulging in yet another one-night fling. Almost two months later, Bridget learns that she is pregnant, in complete disbelief over who the father could be. She comes to the aid of new character to the series Dr. Rawlings (Emma Thompson), a highlight with a natural sense of wit and brilliant one liners.
Bridget tells both of the potential fathers (Mr Darcy and Jack) of her pregnancy which leads to incredibly cringe-worthy complications. Both potential fathers step up in a battle-of-the-best situation.
Though the film maintains its charm and humour, the film does eventually fall into cliched Hollywood rom-com territory with the exception being a delivery room scene that proves to be one of the standout moments in the entire film. .
When the film reaches its climatic “who’s the daddy” moment, there is a sense of disappointment when we are given a typically formulaic happy ending that calls into question the point to one of the main characters role in the film and wrapping up complications into a neat little bow.
There is also an oddly overwhelming political undertone throughout the film as well that seems to be geared towards feminists. Bridget is a single, pregnant women in her forties with a high powered media job and a “you don’t need a man” attitude”. Fair enough. But then there’s the interesting feminist refugee punk rock group that Mr Darcy is defending. They are painted in a somewhat demeaning light and are overall, comes out as a rather on-the-nose plot device.
These aside, the film is not terrible. It is an entertaining sequel that is guaranteed laughs, but if you’re looking for something intellectually engaging, might want to look somewhere else.
What did you think of Bridget Jones’s Baby? Let us know!
