A cougar roars in funny, touching movie

Cheers to Renee Zellweger, who for 24 years has given us the greatest romantic-comedy heroine of the millennium.

Back in 2001, her casting as Bridget Jones, author Helen Fielding’s intensely relatable English klutz beloved by Brits, caused an uproar. An American as Bridget?! Outrageous.

But Zellweger proved perfect as the vodka-soaked Londoner in her 32nd year of being single. The actress, who was nominated for an Oscar for that performance, still is, four presidents and eight prime ministers later. Bridget, meanwhile, has remained her lovably imperfect self.

The actress closes the diary with “Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy,” the fourth and likely final chapter of the film series. Her funny heart-tugger, which is sadly forgoing a theatrical release for Peacock, plays like a feel-good ending of your favorite TV show. 

Yes, the story is past its prime. The first movie was too great and groundbreaking to ever top. But No. 4, directed by Michael Morris, still digs deep on the final stretch. “Mad About the Boy” was 

As the credits rolled, it was more difficult than I expected to say goodbye to a character who’s been with us so long. I choked up. Deep down, though, we all know this is the right time to hang up the ugly Rudolph sweater and granny pants.

Some fans (the ones who haven’t read the books, anyway) might be dismayed to learn that Mark Darcy (Colin Firth), 51-year-old Bridget’s husband and the father of her two kids, has died. Four years later, she’s still in a state of total emotional paralysis — taking her son and daughter to school, not working, not living.

Her friends — sobbing exec Jude, foul-mouthed Shazza and one-hit-wonder James — support her with encouragement and martinis. That the trio is more prominently featured here is a huge improvement from “Bridget Jones’ Baby.” 

The kids are growing up without a dad, so the former third in her love triangle, lothario Daniel Cleaver, acts as their drunken uncle — teaching them useful life lessons such as how to make cocktails. A little older, Hugh Grant, smoothly smarmy as ever, peppers his punchlines with pathos.   

But Bridge’s fire is reignited by a 29-year-old looker named Roxster (Leo Woodall from “The White Lotus”), a park ranger who gallantly helps her and the children down from a tree. He messages her on Tinder, and a May December romance commences. 

Last year, the movies delivered several of those. Two starred Nicole Kidman. That the cougar is Bridget adds a new dimension, though. So does the woman being a widow. She’s so hurt, flawed and bumbling that the scenario is never cheaply sentimental. 

Winking at the past — “Mad About the Boy” does that a lot — there’s another man waiting in the wings: Bridget’s son’s logically minded teacher Mr. Wallaker (Chiwetel Ejiofor). Uptight and stern, the prof is the opposite of nature boy. 

Zellweger has cracking chemistry with both.

The ending — a great big party scene where characters from all four movies gather — is tad rushed in after an affecting climax.

But the vibe is spot-on. Ultimately “Mad About the Boy” is much like Bridget herself: endearing, silly, messy, wacky, kind.

I like it… just as it is.