Common Sense Media Review
By S. Jhoanna Robledo
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Fun, if racy, sequel reminds us why we love Bridget.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Bridget Jones's Baby
What's the Story?
In BRIDGET JONE'S BABY, our favorite British diarist (Renee Zellweger) is back, this time without either Daniel (Hugh Grant) or Mark Darcy (Colin Firth). She's an accomplished TV news producer who's still connected to her longtime friends while also making new ones. In short, she's content. But then her 43rd birthday arrives, and many of her friends can't make the celebration due to unforeseen circumstances. This sends Bridget off on a weekend adventure during which she ends up both sleeping with a complete stranger (Patrick Dempsey) and hooking up with her ex, Mark. Weeks later, Bridget discovers she's pregnant, but she doesn't know which man is the father. And so launches another wacky story in which she must wade through the mucky complications of life while staying true to her Bridget Jonesian ways.
Is It Any Good?
This "threequel" may be cheesy and sentimental, but it's also a joy. From the moment we glimpse pajama-clad Bridget singing the familiar tune of "All By Myself" on her couch, we're reminded of just how much we missed her. One thing that this series has always gotten right is Bridget herself. She's always appealing, even when she makes the worst mistakes, because she's open, vulnerable, warm, and relatable, all at once. Zellweger ably leads the charge, flanked by Firth, who's still as Darcy as they come, and Dempsey in the newly created role of American Jack Qwant (while he's no Daniel, he nearly fills the hole left by Grant).
We won't spoil the ending, but let's just say there's plenty here for Bridget's many fans to celebrate. Bridget Jones's Baby knows how to please its audience, and not just through call-backs to songs and scenes from the earlier films. The script, co-written by Emma Thompson (who also co-stars and is hilarious as a tart-tongued doctor), is smart, sassy, and, most importantly, willing to have fun -- just like Bridget. A warm welcome back to our flawed and fabulous heroine!
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Bridget's dilemma in Bridget Jones's Baby. Does the movie judge her? Do you? What makes her a sympathetic character? Do you consider her a role model?
How has Bridget changed since the first movie, when landing a boyfriend and losing weight were her most important to-dos? How has society changed since the first film?
Talk to your kids about how the movie depicts drinking. Is it glamorized? Why does that matter?
What factors do you think affect Bridget's body image and self-esteem?
Movie Details
- In theaters : September 16, 2016
- On DVD or streaming : December 13, 2016
- Cast : Renee Zellweger , Patrick Dempsey , Colin Firth
- Director : Sharon Maguire
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Miramax
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Book Characters
- Run time : 122 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : language, sex references and some nudity
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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