The Timeless Relatability of Bridget Jones

by Amy Brown
Film Spotlights
The Bridget Jones franchise fast became a cultural staple in British Cinema, with the eponymous character making audiences know that like feeling "like an idiot most of the time" is okay and her TikTok termed ‘frazzled English woman’ aesthetic remaining steadily popular.

Fans of all ages have pondered Bridget’s best match, following her story from singleton to happy – and loved, just as she is. The first novel, Bridget Jones’s Diary, was published in 1996 by Helen Fielding and remains her bestselling book. Fielding followed up with the continuation of Bridget’s chaotic life in the form of 3 more books, and Mad About the Boy is the final to be adapted for the big screen.

In 2001, the first novel was adapted into an iconic film starring Renée Zellweger which went on to be nominated for Best British Film at the BAFTA Awards. Some concern arose about her being an American playing a Londoner, but Zellweger quickly calmed these fear by perfectly transforming herself into the Bridget we know and love. She even earned an Academy Award nomination in 2002 for her performance.

The original plot was heavily inspired by Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, with literary romcom adaptations being a big trend at the time, as Helen Fielding pulled references from Elizabeth Bennett’s relationship to Fitzwilliam Darcy. In fact, during an interview with Bustle Helen Fielding admitted that “the book increasingly began to mimic and nick stuff from Pride and Prejudice.” Although having much more added chaos than the classic novel, a glaringly clear ode to Austen is the name of the main love interest. Joining Zellweger onscreen was Colin Firth as the stoic yet charming Mark Darcy, with fans were more than happy to see Colin Firth as a ‘Mr. Darcy’ again just 6 years after the 1995 miniseries of Pride and Prejudice.

With the upcoming release of the fourth and final instalment of the franchise, Mad About The Boy, it’s clear that a huge audience is still waiting to see how Bridget’s story ends. Continuing to resonate with women today, over 2 decades later, modern viewers remain strangely comforted by her mistakes and numerous attempts at finding happiness. Ultimately, audiences love imperfect characters.

The influence of social media in the current climate means perfection is everywhere, and the world is full of unrealistic representations of womanhood. Bridget Jones fulfilled the unique role of being a relatable, flawed heroine; and viewers aren’t ready to say goodbye.

Set 9 years after Bridget Jones’s Baby and her happy ending with Mark Darcy, Mad About the Boy sees Jones still as neurotic and clumsy as ever. Now a widow, Bridget navigates grief, single motherhood and rediscovering herself. She is joined by two new potential suitors, Leo Woodall as Roxster McDuff and Chiwetel Ejiofor as Scott Wallaker, but, fear not, Hugh Grant also returns as Daniel Cleaver once more.

Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy screens at the Tyneside from Thursday the 13th February 2025, and you can book tickets now.