Bridget Jones's Baby

Bridget delivers.

I never saw the poorly-reviewed Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason sequel (2004) because I absolutely loved Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001) — just as it was.

Thankfully, Bridget Jones’s Baby is an unexpected surprise following a summer that didn’t deliver many onscreen laughs. The film hits familiar tones, brings back beloved characters, meshes comedy and pop music almost as well as the original and adds a few touches of fresh new tidbits. Thankfully, time has served the series (and actors) well; the experience was just like catching up with an old friend.

I laughed as much as I did fifteen years ago, but I should note that it’s not timeless gem like the original. A London walking scene with low rent audio mixing, some editing that dresses a baby too quickly and a few other wobbly bits threatened to take this down to made-for-TV territory. Ultimately, the script and comic farce elevated this whole entry in the Diary series. Emma Thompson, who stars in the film, was one of the writers and her witty screenwriting clearly shines through. Singletons, buy your ticket now.

Simply put: Bridget Jones’s baby is an unexpected surprise with many uproarious laughs.

Award potential:  As one of the few funny films of the year, it has potential to be nominated

against La La Land for Best Film — Comedy or Musical at the Golden Globes. It won’t win.

The ten buck review: Worth ten bucks.