Whether you’re a longtime fan of the beloved British franchise or enjoy a good romantic comedy from time to time, watching the new “Bridget Jones” movie on Peacock is the perfect Valentine’s Day plan. Whether it’s a date night with your significant other, a Galentine’s celebration with your best friends or a cozy solo evening under a blanket with a face mask, this movie is a great idea for a night in.
I had the incredible privilege of attending the “Bridget Jones: Mad about a Boy” movie premiere on Feb. 12 at the Jazz in Lincoln Center, organized by Peacock. Seeing the movie before its official streaming release and watching it alongside the cast, including Renée Zellweger and Leo Woodall, was an unforgettable experience — one I wouldn’t have had if I hadn’t studied in New York City.
For those unfamiliar with the “Bridget Jones” franchise, the films follow a British TV producer searching for love in London. In the first two movies, Bridget is caught between two very different men: the charming yet unreliable Daniel Cleaver (played by the ever-hilarious Hugh Grant) and the reserved but lovable Mark Darcy (Colin Firth) who she ends up happily marrying at the end of the third movie.
In this fourth movie, nine years after the release of the third one, Bridget is learning how to live her life after the heartbreaking loss of her husband, Mark Darcy. Left alone to raise their two children, she struggles to balance grief and parenthood. Four years after his tragic death in Sudan, Bridget’s friends and family encourage her to move on, insisting she reenter the dating scene. One day, she finds herself at the park with her children, where she gets stuck in a tree — along with her kids. That’s when she crosses paths with her son’s science teacher, Mr. Wallaker (Chiwetel Ejiofor), and a park cleaner, Roxster (Leo Woodall). After Roxster helps them down, he accidentally glimpses Bridget’s phone, which has her Tinder profile open — set up by her friend. Embarrassed, she rushes off, only to later receive a match notification from none other than Roxster himself. Despite their age gap — Bridget being in her fifties and Roxster still in college at 28 — they start texting and eventually spend time together all summer in London. Their relationship blossoms into something sweet and romantic. And let’s be honest, the scene where Woodall’s character jumps into the pool to save a puppy? Both hilarious and unexpectedly attractive. Meanwhile, as Roxster and Bridget’s relationship sparks, there is also a slow-burning romance developing between Bridget and Mr. Wallaker, the science teacher.
Like every Bridget Jones movie, this one is filled with love, humor and delightfully awkward moments. However, this movie is like no other in this franchise. It delivers an honest and relatable exploration of grief. Bridget has not only lost her husband but also her father, her biggest supporter from the earlier films. The movie also beautifully portrays the relationships that shape everyone’s lives — romantic, platonic or familial. Taking Hugh Grant’s character, Daniel, as an example — once the ultimate playboy, he now shares a truly touching and platonic friendship with Bridget. Their hospital scene together after Daniel suffered a heart attack was my favorite, as it showed their platonic relationship and the importance of valuable connections with other people, especially in difficult times, as we never know who will be there for us.
Growing up watching Bridget Jones with my parents, sitting at the premiere felt surreal. Seeing my favorite actors age on screen brought me back to childhood memories of laughing on the couch with my mom and made me realize the time that has passed since then. That is why this movie has touched me so deeply — I saw my favorite actors grow old on the screen, but in the meantime, I have also grown, which made me connect to the movie on an even deeper level.
This movie is funny, cute, emotional and incredibly relatable. After all, who doesn’t want to find love? Plus, it’s British — who doesn’t love British men fighting over a woman? If my Netflix history of rewatching “Bridgerton” is any indication, I certainly do. But if you’re not convinced by my review, trust the numbers. According to Variety Magazine, the movie has already earned $35.5 million from 71 markets at the international box office, surpassing “Sex and the City 2” as the biggest overseas box office opening for a romantic comedy. So don’t miss out and stream “Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy” on Peacock if you love heartwarming romantic comedies.
