Movie reviews: What critics are saying about ‘Bridget Jones’s Baby’

MANILA, Philippines – Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001) is a classic, following Bridget Jones (Renee Zellweger) as she falls in love with her own modern-day Mr Darcy.

The fan favorite, based on a book by Helen Fielding of the same name, has since spurred a sequel – which got a disappointing 27% on Rotten Tomatoes –  and now, a 3rd installment: Bridget Jones’s Baby.

Helen Fielding herself co-writes the screenplay of Bridget Jones’s Baby, together with Dan Mazer and Emma Thompson, who wrote herself a role as Bridget’s doctor.

The 3rd movie has Bridget breaking up with Mark Darcy (Colin Firth), meeting a new flame, Jack (Patrick Dempsey), and getting pregnant – but she doesn’t know which of them is the father.

 

Returning to the franchise in this 3rd film, aside from Renee and Colin, is director Sharon Maguire, who opted out of the second movie, Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (2004). With them are Bridget’s old friends, Shazza,Tom, and Jude, played once again by Sally Phillips, James Callis, and Shirley Henderson.

Patrick Dempsey isn’t the only newcomer either. Sarah Solemani plays one of Bridget’s new friends at the cable news show she works for.

Meanwhile, Hugh Grant, who starred in the first two movies, doesn’t make an appearance in this 3rd one.

Bridget Jones’s Baby comes with high expectations. Will do the highly successful first movie justice? Or will it disappoint like the second?

Here’s what the critics had to say:

Catherine Bray, Variety

Writing for Variety, Catherine Bray says Baby is certainly better than Edge of Reason, though it isn’t quite as good as the original Bridget Jones’s Diary. Some gags fell flat, she said, and despite Renee’s “appealingly warm, vulnerable performance,” she’s not likely to get an Oscar nomination like she did in 2001.

Still, it has its saving graces. “Bridget Jones’s Baby is not a comedy for the ages, but it’s interesting to see a rom-com starring a middle-aged woman grappling with irrelevance in the workplace,” wrote Catherine, praising Kate O’Flynn, who plays Bridget’s younger boss.

Great line deliveries by Colin and co-writer Emma Thompson as Dr Rawlings were the comedic highlights, said Catherine, comparing Emma to the late Alan Rickman.

Kevin P Sullivan, Entertainment Weekly

On Bridget Jones’s Baby‘s rank among the other two movies, Kevin P Sullivan and Catherine agree. “Bridget Jones’s Baby is a welcome return for the character and a more fitting ending than Edge of Reason,” he said, earlier citing Emma Thompson’s performance as one of the highlights.

Kevin also noted that the movie’s conflict is nothing different for Bridget, but the actors’ performances made up for it: “it’s all played so earnestly that it’s difficult to hold a grudge.” Aside from praise for the supporting cast’s performance, he mentioned earlier that Renee and Colin’s return series adds to Bridget Jones’s Baby’s emotional impact.

Jason Solomons, The Wrap

On The Wrap, Jason Solomon praises Renee’s performance, saying, “[Bridget is] a woman gamely surviving the pitfalls and pratfalls of her own desperation and insecurities, and Zellweger creates a hugely sympathetic character, whose English accent rarely falters and whom every member of the audience will wish well, and cheer all the way up the aisle.”

Jason also found that there was no shortage of laughs in this movie, among them scenes about Bridget’s gaffes at work as a news producer.

Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian

Writing for The Guardian, Peter Bradshaw rated Bridget Jones’s Diary 3 stars out of 5.

Peter praised the movie for its gags, enjoying Colin’s, Emma’s, and Sarah’s performances, citing specific scenes and jokes he liked throughout his review.

As enjoyable as it was, though, Peter concluded: “[Mark, Jack, and Bridget’s attempt to get through the hospital revolving door] is the best way to end what can only can be described as the Bridget Jones franchise: something resembling a likeable, good-natured one-off TV holiday special.”

Terri White, Empire

Over on Empire, Bridget Jones’s Baby was rated 4 stars out of 5 by Terri White, due mostly, she said to the special chemistry between Renee and director Sharon Maguire.

Colin and Renee are great onscreen, newcomer Sarah Solemani is a welcome addition, and Emma Thompson stole the show, said Terri, but Patrick Dempsey’s character fell flat – “[Renee’s] pairing with Dempsey never delivers; him playing a one-note nice guy with a megawatt smile,” Terri wrote.

Still, the movie is worth a watch: “You have to have a heart of coal not to laugh (a lot), cry (a bit) and leave wanting to see it all over again.” – Rappler.com