Displaying items by tag: Jim Broadbent

BRIDGET JONES: MAD ABOUT THE BOY

UK, 2025, 124 minutes, Colour.

Renée Zellweger, Chiwital Ejiofer, Leo Woodall, Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, Mila Jankowicz, Casper Knopf, Sally Phillips, Nico Parker, Sarah Solemani, Shirley Henderson, James Callis, Claire Skinner, Isla Fisher, Gemma Jones, Emma Thompson, Jim Broadbent, Neil Pearson, Celia Imre.

Directed by Michael Morris.

Bridget Jones came on the cinema scene almost a quarter of a century ago two very successful films. She was immediately popular, embodied in a British style by American actress Renée Zellweger. In 2016, she had a baby and another film. In 2024-2025, she is a widow, with two children at school, trying to manage, sad memories of her husband, played by Colin Firth and reappearing here in some pleasing ghostly presences. (Not too happy memories of previous films with real appearances of her parents, Jim Broadbent and Gemma Jones, and a number of old friends turning up, Sally Phillips, Shirley Henderson…).

Bridget Jones has been welcomed back by audiences – though, for many of us, her distinctive mannerisms, quirks of accent, tics of behaviour, can be often offputting or, at least, disconcerting.

So, what is the widow to do? Get some advice from her old friend-nemesis, Daniel, a welcome return by Hugh Grant, still the playboy attitude but soon to be threatened by age, illness, more than a touch of conscience, and a reconciliation with his absent Italian son.

She goes to Memorial dinners for her husband, gets loads of advice from her contemporaries, to be out and around, date, be on the market. She also gets her advice from her gynaecologist, Emma Thompson again, which is more grounded but not heeded until later.

What happens is that on Hampstead Heath, her children climb a tree, she tries to rescue them, and a handsome worker (Foxster, Leo Woodall) intervenes, she more than a touch smitten, he getting in contact, a whirlwind affair. Is this the answer to her longings? But is going back to work as a television producer, on a show for women and women’s issues, another answer?

By this stage, her fans will be hoping that she resolves life’s issues. But, in those who find her a bit offputting, not eliciting audience sympathy, would be tempted to give up on her.

But,   lifechanges, her toyboy puts his foot in it about age; she is still thinking of her husband; her children react, especially her son who misses his father. And she listens more attentively to her doctor’s advice.

And, there in the background is the teacher at the children’s school, Mr Willaker (a charming Chiwitel Ejiofor, despite his propensity for discipline and continually blowing his whistle, loudly).

So, gradually, some sensible moralising, some more considered choices, some sensible interactions, and Bridget Jones will have a future.

1. Popularity Bridget Jones, Renée Zellweger’s presence and performance? Mannered style? Over almost 25 years and four films?
2. The London settings, home, school, television studios? House parties, large parties, the range of songs?
3. Bridget’s situation, widow, the death of her husband, charity work and his death, Colin Firth, his presence in memories throughout the film? The two children, their ages, her bond with the children, at school? Her going out to the Memorial dinner for her husband, her awkwardness? With the of the mothers, the Society mother, getting her to join in the activities and her later doing this?
4. Memories of her dying father, his urging her to go out? Memories of her mother? The visit to the doctor, practical, urging her out?
5. At school, encountering Mr Waliker, his whistle, his manner, with the children, stern? Later talks with him, his teaching science, rational, his criticisms of Billy’s work?
6. The outings, with the children, climbing the tree, Roxster and his presence, climbing and rescuing them, Mr Waliker observing?
7. The relationship with Roxster, his age, his work, his manner, the effect on Bridget? Tentative, going out, her infatuation, the beginning of the relationship, a fling? The effect on her? On the children? Especially Billy? Memories of his father? The party, the dog, in the water, Roxster diving in, the wet shirt, the reaction of Bridget’s friends?
8. The range of friends, from the past, new friends, meetings, chatting, urging her to enjoy herself and break out?
9. Daniel, from the previous films, the Hugh Grant’s style, his babysitting and bond with the children, his own life, his illness, in the hospital, the talk with Bridget, the talk about his son? And the son arriving at the party, charming, Daniel more at peace?
10. Roxster, time of the relationship, his backing out, not communicating, later return, his mention of time travel, indicating she be younger, her retort that he should come into the future with her? The break?
11. The work of the television station, the program, the focus on women, the guests, the personalities, the producer, Bridget enjoying her work, talking about her relationship and finding herself on stage with the applause?
12. Chloe as the nanny, her being recommended by friends, her role in the house, her ideas, efficient in every way, bonding with the children, the perfect nanny? Bridget finally accepting her?
13. Bridget and her memories of her husband, going through the documents, the diary, writing the message to him, and with children and setting the balloons?
14. Mr Waliker and his class with parents, her setting up a television program, the girl with the chart, Billy and his apprehension, the discussion about fruit fly, turning the discussion to the presence of the soul, and another life after death?
15. The shift in emphasis from the atmosphere of the fling to more serious? With the children? The discussions with Mr Waliker, going on the walk with him, the rain, the discussions, issues of reason, imagination, magic? The effect on him, the change, still blowing the whistle, but in class? The importance of his talk with Billy? The cut, the return to the concert, Billy singing, I’ll do Anything, in memory of his father, to have a memory of his father, the enthusiastic response?
16. The visit to the doctor, her practical advice, common sensed, Bridget listening to it, memories of her father, discussions with her mother?
17. The change of atmosphere, the light and more permissive episodes with her friends and with Roxster? The change, the serious interactions with Mr Waliker?
18. A year later, happiness, a new beginning, Mr Waliker the piano, the friends, her mother, her future in her 50s and beyond?

PADDINGTON IN PERU

UK, 2024, 106 minutes, Colour.

Hugh Bonneville, Emily Mortimer, Samuel Joslin, Madaleine Harris, Julie Walters, Olivia Coleman, Jim Broadbent, Hayley Atwell, Voices of: Ben Whishaw, Imelda Staunton. Cameos by Hugh Grant, Joel Fry, Robbie Gee, Sanjeev Baskhar, Ben Miller, Jessica Hynes.

Directed by Dougal Wilson.

Who cannot like Paddington! His stories are always bearable!

We have enjoyed the first two films very much. There was an element of surprise about them, the introduction to Paddington himself, the wonderful voice provided by Ben Whishaw, the members of the Brown family and their ability to welcome Paddington. And, there were various adventures and, who can forget, the villainous Hugh Grant?

It does mean that here we accept Paddington straightaway, the glimpse of his early years in Peru reaching out to pick a beautiful orange, falling into the River – and landing in London. Now, a letter from his Aunt Lucy (voiced by Imelda Staunton) encouraging him to come for a visit (and that humour is awkward episode getting his passport photographs).

But there is a bit of background about Mr Brown, somewhat British stick-in-the Mode, challenged at work about risks. In the brainwave! Why don’t they all go with Paddington to Peru, including the kindly Mrs Bird (Julie Walters). Hugh Bonneville is once again Mr Brown but, this time, Emily Mortimer is Mrs Brown.

Once they will arrive in Peru, now met by Reverend Mother at the local home for retired bears! Suddenly, and exuberantly, we have Sister Act meets The Sound of Music. But, bad news, aunt Lucy has disappeared and Paddington is determined to find her. And, Olivia Coleman, in recent years showing a variety of talent (Wonka,  Little Wicked Letters), is here as the exuberant Reverend Mother.

With the action adventure that follows, more than a touch of Indiana Jones here, the action is geared more to the young audience, the touch of caricature with the boat captain (Antonio Banderas), farcical and slapstick situations high dangers and minutes, especially as Paddington and the family get lost in the Andes jungle, double dealings and some sinister flashbacks…

But, there are some secrets to be revealed, and a variation on the search for El Dorado and that fabled gold. This, everybody benefits from the adventure, and Mr Brown becomes extraordinarily daring. And Paddington has to make a decision, finding his tribe there in Peru, and whether he will go back home with the Browns.

Adult audiences, especially, please don’t rush for the exit when the credits begin to appear because there is a very enjoyable special guest interlude during the credits. And, as always, possibilities for more.

1. The popularity of Paddington, the films? And in himself, from Peru, landing in London, the Brown family, part of the family, his adventures, memories of Aunt Lucy in Peru, the possibility of his returning to visit Peru and Aunt Lucy? The effectiveness of Ben Wishaw’s voice?
2. Expectations from the previous film and their popularity and acclaim? The intentions of the filmmakers here, a film for younger audiences, style, treatment, humour, adventures, the touch of the absurd for enjoyment? The impact for older audiences, the adult characters, the adventure, the mayhem? And the postscript with Hugh Grant?
3. The scenes of Paddington’s origins, little bear, the oranges, on the branch, falling, to England, with the family? The memories of Aunt Lucy? The correspondence with her? His receiving the letter from her, inviting him to Peru, his eagerness?
4. The Brown family, the children growing older, University entrance, computer games and inventions, not wanting to play Scrabble with the mother, Mr Brown, the firm, Risk-taking, the American executive, her demands, the challenge to him? His very proper reticent British way of style of life?
5. The suggestion to go to Peru, the reaction of the family, Mr Brown and the decision to take a risk? Mrs Bird and her presence, decision to go? The farewell in the street with all the British film and television celebrities’ cameos? The flight, landing, Peru?
6. The visuals of Peru, the mountains, the river, waterfalls, locations in Peru and Colombia? The settlement? The boat
7. the convent, Reverend Mother, her cheery attitude, the staging of the musical, Sister Act meets The Sound of Music? The family settling in? The disappearance of Aunt Lucy, the nuns? The retired bears and their lifestyle, bingo…? Reverend Mother and her explanations, her eagerness for them to go searching, but her remaining at home?
8. The expedition, Paddington and his eagerness, the family, hiring the boat, the captain and his daughter, his manner and mannerisms? On the voyage, the comedy, the dangers, the rapids?
9. The background of El Dorado, the captain and his ancestors and their appearing behind him, his relationship with his daughter, the search for gold, Paddington and his arm band, the translation and interpretation? The captain disappearing and his search?
10. The family on the boat, the dangers, capsizing, stranded? Through the jungle? Mr Brown and his being more daring? Paddington’s memories of the Inca image, his arrival at the tower, the rock? The family arriving?
11. The Machu Picchu kind of location, the confrontation with the captain, pursuing more Paddington, the fights, the bolder, the dangers…? The reappearance of the daughter, her helping the family?
12. Mrs Bird, back at the convent, curious, suspicious, finding the radio room, the confrontation, the truth about Reverend Mother? The plane, flying, the crash landing, the confrontation, Reverend Mother from the El Dorado-seeking family, the flashbacks to their disasters? The confrontation with the captain? Her being overcome?
13. Finding Aunt Lucy, going beyond the barrier, finding El Dorado, the gold being the oranges, the scenes of collecting, squeezing, Paddington and his predilection for marmalade?
14. Paddington finding his tribe, his being welcomed, his speech, the family ready for him to stay, his decision to return with them, finding his tribe but going home with his family?
15. Happy ending – and the epilogue with Phoenix Buchanan and Hugh Grant’s style? Future prospects?