Renee Zellweger's return to the cult comedy-drama has received mixed reviews from critics. Some say it's the best thing that has happened to the franchise, while others have some criticisms. Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy has received mixed reviews, earning an 88% freshness rating from 39 critic reviews on Rotten Tomatioes.
Positive comments highlight the film's surprising elegance and emotional depth, with one critic noting:
"This surprisingly elegant and profoundly moving film moves to a different kind of beat."
While the film is primarily a drama, with comedy coming second, it’s described as essentially a story about grief. The film’s strength lies in reuniting Bridget with her faithful friend group, including her withering gynecologist (Emma Thompson), and, of course, with Daniel Cleaver. Ultimately, one of the critics mentioned an important reflection to the past movies of the franchise:
"Mad About the Boy is seen as much like Bridget herself — endearing, silly, messy, wacky, kind."
Another critic stated that it is the best film since 2001's original — a deeply moving and joyful look at grief, friendship, and love that is a triumph in its own right.
Negative reviews have also surfaced. One critic said that while the film certainly has its poignant moments:
"It’s too bogged down by awkward humour and formulaic setups to capture the full power of its otherwise noble ambitions."
Another harsh review compared the film to Superman IV: The Quest for Peace, stating that the jokes have been dialled down to accommodate a contrived and unconvincingly mature 'weepie' component, making the film sad in the wrong way.
