Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy

The fourth instalment of the Bridget Jones franchise, Mad About the Boy, is my new favourite of the lot. Nine years after Bridget Jones’ Baby was released, for fans of Bridget, this movie brings exactly the same vibes as the first three, in buckets. It's funny, yet cringeworthy, in the best way possible, but also unexpectedly emotional and hard-hitting. I was seriously close to tears within the first 5 minutes. Even if not a preexisting fan, this film can still be relatable (despite not personally being a widowed 50-year-old) and highly entertaining if you can pick up on context clues. Or, alternatively, and in my opinion for the better experience, you could do a Bridget Jones’ marathon and become a fan before stopping by L3! This movie explores grief in such an honest, poignant way without it taking over the whole story. It's such a great, balanced drama-comedy-romance that I’m grateful I got to experience it in a theatre packed with middle aged women, just as the filmmakers had in mind for optimal viewing, I’m sure. And, after watching this movie, I’m a little less afraid of growing old.

Victoria Beaumont