As the movie opens, we see Bridget (Renee Zellweger; Chicago) sitting in her apartment drinking wine, singing along to rap music and celebrating her 43rd birthday… alone. Once again, seemingly pathetic, she is single after her famous love affair with Mark Darcy (Colin Firth; The King's Speech) ended after the first two films. Contemplating her life, Bridget decides she needs to go out and have more fun, so she accepts an invitation from her co-worker, Miranda (Sarah Solemani; Him & Her), to have a girl's weekend of debauchery.
Drunk and disoriented, Bridget manages to stumble into the wrong tent at a "hippie- like" festival and ends up in bed with Jack (Patrick Dempsey; Sweet Home Alabama). One week later, she and Mark find them selves alone at a friend's baby christening and end up sleeping together. Fast forward a month and Bridget finds herself pregnant but is unsure of which man is the father. When she finally tells both of them her dilemma, they try to navigate their newfound threesome, soon to be a quartet. Ultimately, the baby's father is revealed and the movie ends the way it should have back in 2004. However, it does leave an opening for another sequel should this be successful at the box office (and if Hugh Grant is willing to reprise his role as Daniel Cleaver).
Bridget Jones's Baby offers a fine selection of terrific actors but for some reason they don't really gel for me. Perhaps it's because I don't particularly like Zellweger or maybe it's that Darcy is so stiff that Firth plays him as if he has a pole shoved up his ass. Or it could be that Dempsey doesn't fit in as seamlessly with the other two as Grant did in the first films. I'm not sure really, but despite their great performances, they just didn't "click" for me. I will say that I liked both Solemani and Emma Thompson (Love Actually), of which the latter can practically do no wrong in my eyes.
However, the writers put together an excellent script that was worth waiting for. The hilarious scenarios, especially those in the doctor's office and the hospital were well drafted and thought out and bring the laughter every time. Director Sharon Maguire (Incendiary) brings it all together nicely without making the sight gags overkill or run on too long. I also give her props for picking an excellent and eclectic variety of songs to be showcased in the film. It's a fun soundtrack that enhances the overall feel of the film.
This latest installment was a long time coming, but it was worth the wait. This most recent addition to Bridget Jones's saga does the first two films proud. While not particularly original, the story is interesting and the love story between Bridget and Mark picks up right where it left off. For the hopeless romantic in all of us middle-aged, frumpy working women, Bridget is the voice in our heads and she vocalizes all the things we dare not.
If you read the books and have seen the first two movies, you should go see this one as well. It won't disappoint and promises to make you laugh so hard you cry (or pee a little as middle aged women are prone to do).
Grade: B
