It’s been 24 years since we first fell deeply, madly in love with Bridget Jones. Four films later, nothing has changed and everything has changed. Bridget is still the fallible and utterly loveable icon she’s always been, now single once again it’s the dating sphere that’s drastically different.
Apps, emojis, ghosting; it’s all new territory and for those who know the pains of traversing the often tumultuous dating landscape, watching such an icon as Bridget fumble her way through is the kind of comfort many have been longing for in a modern rom-com.
In this brave new world, we’re reminded Bridget is still Bridget, not just in her charm but countless easter eggs throughout the film that pay homage to its origin story. There’s the instantly recognisable penguin pyjamas, the blue cocktails striking resemblance to her famed soup disaster and an emotional scene in a snow-laden street to see the film out.
“I loved some of the things that Molly, who was the costumer brought back from first film,” Renee Zellweger tells marie claire Australia. “In our first fitting, I got really emotional seeing these bits and pieces. A lot of her original costume from 24 years ago is back.”
Leo Woodall—who plays one of Bridget’s love interest in the film, Roxster—immediately jumps in to add, “The pink cardi!” before chuckling, “sorry, carry on”.
One memento in particular not only returns, but evolves as the film, and Bridget’s journey through grief and into new love, unfolds.
“You may see a little bit of an evolution of her familiar heart and I love the story of where that goes ultimately,” Renee teases.
There’s a nod to her sheer dress and of course, her memorably drab knickers. In Mad About The Boy however, those iconic undies serve a different purpose as we see Bridget pick them up only to opt for a blue lacy pair instead. Maybe she’s not exactly the same Bridget after all—time, love and grief will do that to a person.
“There’s a scene in this film with the big pants and I love it. I think it just encapsulates so much in that moment,” she says when asked about what she wants viewers to take away from the film. “There’s so much about community and about relationships and your friendships that you’ve nurtured for years on the value of those, how they enrich your life, how important they are in moments of bereavement.”
