spencer-w-hensley

Bridget Jones has been a surprisingly enjoyable movie franchise for me. It's not usually my genre preference but the movies are well written and acted.

Even the second installment which remains my least favorite for all of its flaws was still fairly entertaining.

This fourth installment had me a little concerned that maybe they were revisiting this character one too many times.

But the reviews were really good so I had hope.

A lot of the movie seems very formulaic but I still recommend it because the characters and actors are still very appealing and I did laugh enough so it's definitely a sequel I enjoyed and recommend.

Adding the kids to the mix definitely had some fresh ingredients that were appreciated.

There's also a surprising amount of heart which this series has benefited from but maybe more so this time.

But with all that being said I think it's time we give Bridget and company a break. I really don't think anything more can be done with these characters and I don't want them to risk making another installment that fails to live up to its predecessors. This one works and I think it's the perfect place to stop.

I really looked forward to this movie in the mood for a smart comedy and this had great reviews.

In addition the stars Favreau Vaughn and Livingston were just getting started in their careers which also appealed to me as I have liked them in other movies.

But the movie on the whole was kind of a chore to sit through and a bit of a disappointment.

To be fair it has some good stuff. Some of the dialogue is very well written and fun to listen to. Sure it's not super funny but some of the conversations these guys have are interesting.

Favreau is definitely the best performance in the movie and is totally believable as an awkward down on his luck guy. Vaughn is ok and I do like his money quote and while he has maybe one or two laughs he also can get a little annoying at times. Not unbearably so but a little bit which weakens the movie a tad.

But despite the performances and writing I just didn't laugh very much if at all. I chuckled a few times but not enough for me to recommend it.

I think if they had made the movie a more serious drama about overcoming heartbreak it might have been excellent but in trying to make a comedy they forgot the one thing that genre needs the most which is laughs and there are just not many to be found here.

I certainly don't hate the movie and it's not bad but aside from some great dialogue on occasion and Favreau's performance this frankly isn't much of a movie and I would skip it unless you're a die hard fan of the stars.

Livingston isn't given much to do and got much better three years later in Office Space.

Heather Graham has a bit part but is wasted with hardly anything to do.

It's not without merits but it's just not funny enough for me to give it a flat out recommendation. If you're curious enough about the performances it might be worth one watch but if you want intelligent comedy that is legitimately funny watch Office Space in which as aforementioned Livingston is the star and has some big belly laughs.

A nice effort but not successful overall to get my recommendation.