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Once upon a time, Bridget Jones was 32.
Now, the fictional diarist-slash-girlfriend-slashtelevision producerslash-widow is 51.
Bridget has lost much of what made the early years of her life joyful.
Her beloved dad (Jim Broadbent) passed away.
As long as Bridget Jones lives, we should be allowed to tag along for the ride.
Instead of selling out its own ethos, theBridget Jonesfranchise has doubled down on what really matters.
That Bridgets tried-and-true companions remain with her also means she exists beyond her marriage plots.
Grants Daniel has become, like many once-lotharios, just a boy friend.
Thats more meaningful, perhaps, than having a boyfriend could ever be.
And few can boast friendships of this length in their own lives.
TheBridget Jonesseries was inspired by Jane Austen, famed for her marriage plots.
But what makes Austen eminently readable is her characters, and her own, enthusiasm for the world.
Bridget cannot justify nor make sense of the hurt shes endured; no one is asking her to.
Which one of these men is right for Bridget?
is a much less interesting question than How will time continue to pass for Bridget?
Bridget, however, is confined to our modern era and our cultural norms.
But theres a refinement to Zellwegers performance that comes from age and expertise.
These films dont remain interesting in spite of her growing older; they remain interestingbecauseof it.
