How Bridget Jones Helped Me Grieve

I remember reading Bridget Jones: Mad about the Boy as a teenager and absolutely loving it. Years later, watching the film as an adult hit differently. It was gut-wrenching, deeply relatable, and somehow still brought me the same joy I felt when I first read the book.

A Film That’s Funny, Sexy, and Heartfelt

The film is everything you want from a Bridget Jones story: fun, sexy, and hilarious. I loved the little nods to the earlier films, the return of beloved characters, and the introduction of new ones to fall in love with. But what I wasn’t ready for was how much it made me cry...well, sob.

Watching Through the Lens of Grief

Having recently lost my dad, my heart stopped when I realised the film was centred around grief. And watching it public was... intense. This wasn’t just another romantic comedy; it was a story about loss and life after heartbreak.

I appreciated the authenticity of the film. Despite its emotional depth, it still kept us laughing. Bridget reminds us that joy and sadness can coexist, that even in the messy, painful moments, there’s still light to be found. It highlights the chaos of family life, the importance of genuine friendships, and the excitement of new love, all while navigating the ache of what’s been lost.

Why We Love Bridget

We love these films because we love Bridget. Her imperfections and her humanness: she’s all of us. There’s something refreshing about seeing a rom-com protagonist who doesn’t have it all together, yet remains true to herself.

In Mad About a Boy, we see Bridget as a mum, parenting through grief. I’m not a parent myself, but I deeply connected with watching her hold it together while aching inside. It reminded me of my own mum doing the same after my dad passed away. Bridget shows us that we don’t need to be perfect for our families, we just need to show up. She shows us to not shy away in remembering those we've lost, and encourages us to remember them by speaking about them, sharing stories, and laughing through the memories.

There’s No Right Way to Grieve

If you’ve experienced grief, you’ve probably been told there are “stages” or “rules” for how to get through it. It’s exhausting. The truth is, no one can tell you how to grieve -- not even Bridget Jones.

Everyone’s journey is different. What I love about this film is that it doesn’t prescribe how to heal, it simply shows how Bridget copes. It reminds us that it’s okay to find our own way through, to open ourselves to love and joy again, and remember that our loss ones are still woven into us and our story forever.

Should You Watch It If You’re Grieving?

A friend once told me they’d heard that people going through grief shouldn’t watch the film. But I completely disagree. If you’re grieving , or have grieved, go see it. Sit through every laugh and tear, and let it remind you that even after heartbreak, there’s still a life to be lived.

Just bring tissues. ❤️