Bridget Jones 4 Shatters UK Box Office Record as Romantic Comedy Sensation

According to Universal Pictures, the fourth film in the Bridget Jones series, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, starring Rene Zellweger as her much-loved yet chaotic diarist character, has achieved a remarkable box office performance. Released on Thursday, it opened with an impressive 11.8 million over its first four days in the UK and Ireland.

This success surpasses the previous record for romantic comedies set by Edge of Reason, the second film in the series, which grossed 10 million in 2004. However, considering inflation, today’s figures would be significantly higher. Notably, despite its popularity at home, the new movie did not fare as well against Marvels Captain America: Brave New World during this weekend.

For audiences in North America, where Bridget Jones is only available on streaming platform Peacock, there seems to be a lesser interest. In an interview with BBC Radio 4’s Front Row, The Telegraph’s film critic Robbie Collin suggested that Americans “don’t care about Bridget,” highlighting the characters origin in British culture and her creator, Helen Fielding.

Interestingly, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy still managed to top box office charts in other countries including Poland, the Netherlands, and Norway. However, its first weekend opening was lower than that of major blockbusters such as Deadpool & Wolverine, Wicked, and Moana 2.

The new film follows Bridget Jones as she navigates modern dating while also balancing motherhood after her husband’s passing. The plot introduces a younger love interest named Roxster played by Leo Woodall alongside other characters like Chiwetel Ejiofor and the reprise of roles from previous films, Hugh Grant and Emma Thompson.

While Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy has garnered mixed reviews, it received a significant response from fans. Pete Bradshaw from The Guardian gave two stars to the film in his review, praising giant laughs provided by Hugh Grant but criticizing other performances as “phoning (or rather voice-noting) it in.” However, the Independent’s Clarisse Loughrey awarded four stars for the movie and commended director Michael Morris handling of Bridgets story with more care and subtlety compared to its predecessor.

In conclusion, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy has been a hit at home while sparking discussions about how well it resonates internationally. The film not only reflects on modern dating but also delves into deeper aspects of motherhood and personal growth in contemporary life.