Colin Firth’s Bridget Jones Shock: Darcy’s Silent Exit Explained

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As a devoted fan, I can’t contain my excitement about diving back into Bridget Jones‘ world, this time in “Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy,” now available for streaming on Peacock. But remember, to truly savor the journey and avoid spoilers, it’s best to wait until you’ve watched it yourself before flipping through those pages of her diary!

2001’s “Bridget Jones’s Diary” stands out as one of my favorite romantic comedies and a comforting movie for me. The sequels may have had their ups and downs, but I was thrilled to see Renée Zellweger reprise her role after almost a decade. However, I must admit that the plot twist took me by surprise – Bridget grappling with the death of Mark Darcy, played by Colin Firth, who she had two children with. Frankly, I wasn’t expecting such a tragic turn – more so given it seems to be the end of the series. Yet, despite Mark Darcy’s untimely exit, I found myself genuinely enjoying the movie for several reasons.

To provide some background, “Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy” is a continuation of the storyline from Helen Fielding’s 2013 novel with the same title. Similar to the film, the plot unfolds twenty years after the initial Bridget Jones story and finds our heroine in her mid-50s, having been a widow for four years following her partner’s death at age 59 from cancer. It is worth mentioning that Fielding drew inspiration for this tale from her personal experiences coping with the loss of her real-life partner, television writer Kevin Curran, who was also the father of their two children.

In the realm of “Mad About The Boy,” while I’m not exactly disappointed about Mark Darcy’s demise, it’s the absence of Colin Firth that leaves me yearning. Here’s a peek into my thoughts on this matter.

How Do You Hire Colin Firth To Play Mark Darcy Again, And Give Him Zero Lines?

In my opinion, one of the problems I have with how Mark Darcy was portrayed in the movie is this: It’s understandable to write a plot that involves the death of a character to explore themes like grief and moving forward. I believe the book Mad About The Boy does a good job at doing just that. However, it seems unusual to cast Colin Firth, who has been associated with the iconic romantic comedy character for over 20 years, only to not give him any lines in the movie despite his presence on set alongside Renée Zellweger.

It would have been nice if the filmmakers included an additional scene or humorous comment from the deceased character to provide closure, alleviate tension, and make full use of the Oscar-winning actor’s talent. Instead, we only see him standing briefly with the deceased and later hear clapping from afar in the movie. While his presence was impactful, it seems a bit underutilized for such a talented artist, doesn’t it?

I’m Making Peace With The Blunder For One Big Reason

As a fervent admirer, I find it deeply poignant that in the final installment of the franchise, Mr. Darcy, portrayed by Firth, is seen but not heard in his last appearance. From a narrative standpoint, if we consider it’s been four years since Darcy’s demise, this silence could symbolize that at this stage of her grief, she primarily imagines and yearns for his presence rather than experiencing vivid conversations with him.

As a movie enthusiast, I can’t help but feel less enthused about films that feature deceased characters engaging in dialogues or conversations with the living through supernatural means. It seems to have become a rather overused trope, and it often leaves me yearning for a well-crafted flashback sequence with dialogue, just to provide a more satisfying conclusion for the character’s story arc.

And, I Wouldn’t Trade One Emotional Scene For A Bigger Darcy Moment

A significant factor contributing to my acceptance of Darcy’s severe nearsightedness is reminiscent of a poignant moment between Bridget and her father, Colin (portrayed by Jim Broadbent). In an early film scene, Bridget gazes at a photograph of herself and the late father, and recalls a time when he was hospitalized and requested her to promise him to “live.” This scene, for me, evoked the most tears as it echoed my personal experience with my grandfather passing on his wisdom before he passed away.

In Bridget’s flashback scene, there was an impactful moment that motivated her more than any scene with Darcy, making me hesitant to prefer a Darcy scene over it. This leads me to speculate whether a Darcy flashback scene might have been filmed initially but later removed to maintain the movie’s emotional equilibrium, as it tends to be quite intense at times. However, it’s hard to envision Colin Firth being omitted from a Bridget Jones film!

At Least The Movie Dealt With Darcy’s Death In A Careful Way

Though I’m disappointed that Darcy didn’t have his final say in the series, I appreciated how the narrative delicately portrayed Bridget and her children’s mourning, making it seem authentic. Since it had been four years since his demise, it was fitting to maintain a certain distance from the characters, avoiding an overly dramatic film. The children’s storylines particularly moved me. Given Fielding’s involvement, I wasn’t at all surprised that he drew upon personal experiences when crafting conversations about preserving Darcy’s memory within the family.

And, Hugh Grant Clearly Had A Blast Adding Some Humor To It All

After watching “Mad About The Boy,” we certainly gained some delightful moments. The film retained the cheerful humor reminiscent of a typical “Bridget Jones” movie, as Bridget embarks on her online dating adventures and seeks love and romance. I found myself completely captivated by Bridget’s romantic journey with Chiwetel Ejiofor’s Mr. Walliker. When she kissed him in the snow, my heart skipped a beat, and his character was genuinely sweet and sincere. However, what truly charmed me was revisiting some memorable scenes featuring Hugh Grant’s Daniel Cleaver! A new “Bridget Jones” movie just wouldn’t have been the same without him interacting with Bridget. His visit to babysit and teach the kids to make a “Dirty Bitch” was simply hilarious!

To be completely honest, “Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy” from 2025 has undeniably become one of my most cherished films. If only there was a cooler version of me who hadn’t been so frustrated by the conspicuous absence of Mr. Darcy!

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2025-02-27 21:07