Bridget Jones's Baby
After breaking up with Mark Darcy five years earlier, Bridget Jones' happily-ever-after hasn't quite gone according to plan. Fortysomething and single again, she decides to focus on her job as top news producer and surround herself with old friends and new. For once, Bridget has everything completely under control. Then her love life takes a turn - while a weekend away at a music festival, she meets a dashing American named Jack, who is everything Mark is not, and spends a night with him. A week later, she runs into newly-separated Mark, and has a one-night dalliance. In an unlikely twist, she finds herself pregnant, but with one hitch - she's not sure of the identity of her baby's father - Mark or Jack.
Despite a moderate budget of $35.0M, Bridget Jones's Baby became a commercial juggernaut, earning $212.0M worldwide—a remarkable 506% return.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Bridget Jones's Baby (2016) showcases strategically placed plot construction, characteristic of Sharon Maguire's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 10-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 3 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.3, the film takes an unconventional approach to traditional narrative frameworks.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Bridget Jones
Mark Darcy
Jack Qwant
Miranda
Dr. Rawlings
Shazzer
Tom
Main Cast & Characters
Bridget Jones
Played by Renée Zellweger
A 43-year-old single woman working in television who finds herself unexpectedly pregnant and uncertain of the father's identity between two very different men.
Mark Darcy
Played by Colin Firth
A distinguished human rights barrister and Bridget's ex-boyfriend, who remains in love with her despite their breakup and may be the father of her baby.
Jack Qwant
Played by Patrick Dempsey
A charming American dating site entrepreneur who has a one-week fling with Bridget and may be the father of her baby.
Miranda
Played by Sarah Solemani
Bridget's best friend and confidante who works as a news anchor and provides comic support and advice throughout her pregnancy journey.
Dr. Rawlings
Played by Emma Thompson
Bridget's eccentric and unconventional obstetrician who provides medical care with comedic flair throughout her pregnancy.
Shazzer
Played by Sally Phillips
One of Bridget's closest friends from the original films who continues to offer bold advice and loyal friendship.
Tom
Played by James Callis
Bridget's gay best friend who provides comic relief and emotional support during her romantic and pregnancy complications.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Bridget attends her friend's funeral, single at 43, stuck in a professional but lonely existence. She reflects on being perpetually single after Mark Darcy.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The First Threshold at 29 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Bridget discovers she's pregnant but doesn't know which man is the father. She must choose to face this situation rather than hide from it., moving from reaction to action.
The Collapse moment at 91 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Both Jack and Mark walk away, unable to continue without honesty and choice from Bridget. She faces the reality of being alone - the very thing she's feared. The "death" of the fantasy that she can have everything without committing., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 98 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Chaotic rush to the hospital with both men racing to be there. Bridget gives birth surrounded by her chosen family. The paternity is revealed (Mark is the father), but both men have proven their commitment. Resolution of relationships., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Bridget Jones's Baby's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 10 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Bridget Jones's Baby against these established plot points, we can identify how Sharon Maguire utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Bridget Jones's Baby within the drama genre.
Sharon Maguire's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Sharon Maguire films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.4, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Bridget Jones's Baby takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Sharon Maguire filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman. For more Sharon Maguire analyses, see Bridget Jones's Diary.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Bridget attends her friend's funeral, single at 43, stuck in a professional but lonely existence. She reflects on being perpetually single after Mark Darcy.
Theme
Miranda tells Bridget it's time to "get back out there" and that being single doesn't mean being alone. The theme: choosing your own family and embracing life's unexpected paths.
Worldbuilding
Establishing Bridget's life at 43: successful TV producer, still clumsy, surrounded by loving friends, but emotionally stuck after her breakup with Mark. Her friends encourage her to embrace new experiences.
Resistance
At the festival, Bridget meets charming American Jack Qwant and has a spontaneous one-night stand. Days later, she reconnects with Mark Darcy at a christening and they sleep together. Bridget navigates both encounters uncertainly.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Bridget discovers she's pregnant but doesn't know which man is the father. She must choose to face this situation rather than hide from it.
Premise
The promise of the premise: comedy of two men competing to be the father while supporting Bridget through pregnancy. Prenatal classes, doctor visits, both men trying to prove themselves worthy. Bridget enjoys the attention while avoiding the hard questions.
Opposition
The arrangement becomes unsustainable. Both men want commitment and clarity. Mark and Jack's rivalry intensifies. Bridget's inability to choose creates tension. Her work suffers, her friends worry, and both men begin to question the situation.
Collapse
Both Jack and Mark walk away, unable to continue without honesty and choice from Bridget. She faces the reality of being alone - the very thing she's feared. The "death" of the fantasy that she can have everything without committing.
Crisis
Bridget processes her loneliness and fear. She realizes she's been avoiding the real issue: not knowing who the father is, but being afraid to choose her own path and risk rejection. Dark night of uncertainty about the future.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Chaotic rush to the hospital with both men racing to be there. Bridget gives birth surrounded by her chosen family. The paternity is revealed (Mark is the father), but both men have proven their commitment. Resolution of relationships.