Bridget Jones Baby: A Film Review

My film review might be a little late in coming out, but better late than never! I am a hardcore Bridget Jones fan, but I didn’t find the first two movies relatable. Possibly because I was a kid/teenager when I watched them. And teens can’t really relate to being 30 without a husband and struggling with their new TV career. However, as a now 20 something adult, I found Bridget Jones Baby extremely relevant and tremendous!

I’m not going to write a review like Rotten Tomato’s or a regular newspaper. Yes the movie was funny, on the nose, hip, full of hot guys and entertaining. The soundtrack was hands down the best ever for romantic comedies in 2016. Instead, I am going to review Bridget Jones Baby in from the perspective of the films ability at showing an accurate perspective of modern British culture for outsiders. The film utilizes modern slang, shows proper British attitudes and overall paints a very clear picture of England in the 21^st century.

Bridget Jones Baby also highlights the many cultural differences between the US and UK. Viewers are able to experience this most poignantly in observing the difference between Bridget’s two potential baby daddies. One is her long time on/off boyfriend Mr. Darcy from England. The other is her music festival hook up who is from America, named Jack. Mr. Darcy is very straight laced upon discovering his fatherhood. He explains very stoically that he is overjoyed, but displays no outward emotions (very British). While Jack makes a grand romantic gesture and throws himself into his upcoming paternity by reading baby books, buying furniture and trying to be by Bridget’s side through every little prenatal experience. 

The difference in these two men is most clear in a scene where they both bring Bridget a drink before a birthing class. Mr. Darcy is true to his English roots and brings Bridget a cup of tea, which symbolizes British comfort and tradition. Jack opts for a new age, high in nutrients healthy green smoothie that is supposed to stimulate the baby’s growth, demonstrating the American vitality and willingness to embrace new things.

My primary reason for recommending this film to my readers is that it will show you, in a hilarious way, how different America and England is. And how the two cultures often clash for their very differences. 

The Breakfasts that Bred the Top Olympic Nation

I tend to write my blog posts with my American readers in mind. My goal being to inform them on the very many extreme differences in England. I do always try to mention how things are in America, in a compare/contrast fashion. But I plan to start incorporating more blogs that describe life in America for my British readers.

People say you shouldn't buy groceries on an empty stomach, and the same goes for writing a blog post. It is just before my dinner time in England, and I am starving! So I found myself fantasising about American breakfast dishes that I miss, and can't get here in England. Below is a list of my top American breakfast dishes that I believe highlight the American culture and delicious cuisine.

1. Pancakes: Us Americans are pancake crazy. I am not referring to British or Scottish pancakes that are thin and more like a French crepe. I mean the American pancakes, that are more akin to a flattened thick cake. We love to get a huge stack of pancakes (made with blueberries or chocolate chips inside) lather it with butter, then smother it with maple syrup, and top it off with a dollop of whipped cream. That to me is a true American breakfast. One of the best places to sample this delicacy is IHOP, which stands for the International House of Pancakes.

2. Scrambled Eggs and Bacon: The Brits like their eggs fried, and sunny side up. Americans like them scrambled with all sorts of mix in like cheese, onions, peppers, tomato, whatever you can dream up. To round out the dish, a side of "streaky bacon" (fatty thick slices of pork) with perhaps a bit of maple syrup to sweeten the deal.

3. Doughnuts: For a quick on the go breakfast, Americans love a good doughnut. We have so many types, cream filled, jam filled, chocolate filled, red velvet doughnuts, bearclaws, glazed, frosted, blueberry muffin doughnuts, maple glazed with bacon, my list could go on and on. Top doughnuts shop are: Krispy Kreme, Tim Hortons, and Dunkin Doughnuts. Most people have a favorite shop and stick to it like a religion, shunning all other doughnut makers.

4. Sweet Cereal: The American cereal aisle is massive and sugar laden. My two favorites are Lucky Charms and Captain Crunch. Lucky Charms are an oaty cereal with mini marshmallows shaped like rainbows inside. Captain Crunch is a square shaped peanut butter cereal. We also have many cookie based cereals. I think that most Brits would go into insulin shock if they ate our cereal on a daily basis.

5. Pop Tarts: These might be last on my list, but I saved the best for last! This is favored by kids, students and young adults that live life in the fast lane. Pop Tarts are a toaster pastry that are filled with icing cream on the inside. They started off with fruity flavors like strawberry and blueberry. And as their popularity grew so did the flavor choice. Now there is PB&J, S'mores, Sundae, Chocolate, Grape, Sugar Cookie, Red Velvet, etc. These are sold in England, and they are generally well loved, especially by university students.