BRIDGET JONES’S BABY review by Ronnie Malik – Renée Zellweger returns to her famous role

BRIDGET JONES’S BABY review by Ronnie Malik – Renée Zellweger returns to her famous role

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Director: Sharon Maguire

Cast: Renée Zellweger, Colin Firth, Patrick Dempsey, Gemma Jones, Emma Thompson, Jim Broadbent, Sally Phillips, Julian Rhind-Tutt, Shirley Henderson, Ben Willbond, Agni Scott, Sarah Solemani, Joanna Scanlan, Neil Pearson, Patrick Malahide, Kate O’Flynn, James Callis, Ed Sheeran

Rating: B+

15 years ago moviegoers were introduced to Bridget Jones – a kooky and clumsy, comical young lady in Bridget Jones’s Diary, which already spawned one sequel in 2004 called Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason. Continuing the story of this adorable character’s life is Bridget Jones’s Baby, in which the filmmakers just want to remind us why we fell in love with Bridget Jones in the first place.  Facing the challenges of becoming a woman of a certain age (the London lady is turning 43), Bridget finds herself alone in her apartment on her birthday contemplating what to do to spice up her life. Bridget has a great career, like-minded friends, and the perfect body that she spent hours in the gym sculpting away. But, what else can she do to create some excitement for a single woman approaching middle age? True to form nothing is simple for Bridget as she manages to unintentionally complicate her life.

Bridget (Renée Zellweger) is talked into going to a wild and crazy music fair by her friend Miranda (Sarah Solemani). The festival, a carefree place to let loose and where free love flows, sets the perfect stage for the always single Bridget to get her grove on without any strings attached.  The accomplished TV executive catches the eye of millionaire tech guru and dating expert Jason (Patrick Dempsey).  Bridget stumbles drunk into his tent and gets to have the best one night stand of her life.  The next morning she is off to return back to her life without a single thought to the night before.

A few days later Bridget is at a christening for a friend’s daughter when she runs into the man that got away, Mark (Colin Firth).  The attraction between them is still strong as ever despite many failed attempts of trying to stay together. Mark is in the midst of a divorce when he realizes Bridget might have just been the best thing that ever happened to him. A very tipsy Bridget can’t resist the charms of a man she once loved and finds herself enjoying a magical roll-in-the-hay. The next morning it is back to the usual routine with not a care in the world.

Not long after having relations with both men does Bridget discover, much to her surprise, that she is pregnant. Apparently the eco-friendly condoms she bought years ago had an expiration date that she forgot to check.  What takes place is a domino effect of her trying to juggle both potential fathers, telling her conservative mother that she is going to be a grandmother, attempting to prove herself at work so she doesn’t get fired by a 20 something year old boss, and trying to figure out what it is she really wants. There are plenty of fantastic funny moments as we hear Bridget narrating her thoughts revealing her own special logic on how to handle the unexpected change in her life. Incidences leading up to Bridget’s unique way of informing both suitors that each has a 50/50 chance of being her baby’s daddy provides for plenty of laughs.

Firth and Dempsey are endearing as two men competing for the position of father and knight in shining armor. Lots of chuckles will result from watching the two characters they play going at it and stopping at nothing to grab the winning spot. Zellweger, who plays a bumbling character filled with insecurity and self-doubt, shines as the basically warm, funny, and lovable girl fans of the story grew so fond of. The supporting cast which includes Emma Thompson, Gemma Jones, Shirley Henderson and several others add a lot of color to the story with each actor getting at least one great line that will have audiences rolling with giggles.

Despite a few far-fetched moments in the film, Bridget Jones’s Baby totally delivers. This third installment in the tale of Bridget Jones is filled with great dialogue, smart one-liners, and sticky situations that fans will find quite fulfilling.  This is a charming, sweet, and delightful movie that is sure to cause plenty of smiles.

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