Bridget Jones: Crazy About Him — a grown-up return
Character notes: Bridget Jones remains at the center of a story that spans decades, and this is the fourth film in the saga. The film arrives 24 years after the diary that launched the franchise and nine years after the previous chapter, bringing back the familiar warmth and charm that fans remember.
Cast: Renée Zellweger, Leo Woodall, Colin Firth, Hugh Grant
Premiere: February 14, 2025
Rating: ★★★
Bridget Jones: Crazy About Him stretches across a long gap in the timeline, treating the characters as adults who have lived through motherhood, parenting challenges, aging concerns, and personal losses. The reunion brings together grown-up versions of Bridget and her circle, reintroducing the world with the same affection while inviting sharper, more grown-up considerations. The film takes care to maintain consistency with the earlier chapters and to explore mature themes through the lives these characters now lead.
The movie rewards longtime fans with a steady rhythm that respects the franchise’s roots. It leans into the familiar romantic comedy language of the late 1990s and early 2000s—the tenderness, the humor, and the occasional embrace of clichés—yet manages to feel relevant by focusing on life choices, responsibility, and the emotional debts carried from the past.
There is a clear devotion to the characters and their voices. Some jokes feel overly engineered or a touch off-tone, especially those that hinge on sex life for quick laughs. Zellweger, in particular, delivers scenes with warmth and timing that often hit the mark, though there are moments when the performance tilts toward caricature. Overall, the balance of charm and critique finds its footing through a consistent insistence on staying true to the heart of Bridget’s perspective.
The film’s storytelling works by allowing the familiar relationships to evolve rather than stay static. Darcy and Daniel reappear in ways that acknowledge the past while presenting new layers of attraction, rivalry, and reconciliation. The humor remains affectionate but not shy about sensitive topics, using them to deepen emotional resonance rather than merely provoke laughter. The result is a romance that feels earned, with stakes rooted in growth rather than mere surface appeal.
Across its narrative, the piece threads aging, parenting, and the realities of adult life into the comedy. It doesn’t pretend to reinvent the wheel; instead, it softens the edges to reflect time passed, inviting a new audience to recognize the characters in their current lives. The balance between lightness and real-life concerns creates a mood that feels accessible to viewers in Canada and the United States alike, especially those who have followed the franchise from the beginning.
Fans will appreciate the continuity—the familiar cadence of banter, the flirtations, and the steady march of a romantic arc that has grown with its heroine. There are misfires and moments that feel overly constructed, but the overall tone remains reverent toward the source material while still offering something fresh for a contemporary audience. The film’s strengths lie in character chemistry and the way relationships are allowed to breathe and mature without losing the light, hopeful spirit at the core of the story.
From a craft standpoint, the pace alternates between reflective, character-driven stretches and brisk, witty exchanges. The result is a portrait of a woman navigating love, friendship, and self-acceptance later in life, without sacrificing the whimsy that drew fans to Bridget Jones in the first place. It’s a film that wears its affection for the franchise on its sleeve while presenting life’s more complicated truths with a gentle, empathetic touch.
Overall, the film stands as a respectful homage to the franchise’s origins, delivering nostalgia without retreat. It will satisfy those who have grown with Bridget and may capture new viewers who enjoy romance grounded in real-life concerns like parenting and aging. The storytelling keeps the focus on character over gimmick, ensuring that the familiar voice remains intact while offering enough growth to feel like more than just a repeat of past successes.
There is a short clip circulating through official channels that hints at the playful and heartfelt directions the film explores, providing a window into the balance of comedy and sentiment that defines this entry.
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