- Release year: 2022
- Director: Tom Verica, Tricia Brock, Cheryl Dunye, and Alex Pillai.
- Producers: Holden Chang, Michelle Wright, and Daniel Robinson.
- Screenplay by: Chris Van Dusen, Abby McDonald, Jess Brownell, Lou-Lou Igbokwe, Daniel Robinson, Sarah L. Thompson, and Oliver Goldstick.
- Cinematography by: Jeffrey Jur and Philipp Blaubach.
- Music by: Kris Bowers.
Synopsis: a young viscount is in search of a wife to fulfil his duty but refuses to find anything resembling love.
Shotgun Commentary: the season that makes Bridgerton worth watching.
Review
Bridgerton’s second season comes with another enemies-to-lovers narrative. This time, they pump it up a notch, adding other relevant players to the game and choosing to pair the more unlikely personalities: Anthony (Jonathan Bailey) and Kate (Simone Ashley).
While you already saw Anthony’s romantic trauma and reticence to open up to his family during the first season, Kate is a brand-new character with whom you’ll fall in love quite quickly. She finds ways to be herself in a pretty constricting society, and she keeps her head held high at any cost. Her bravery and character are admirable to the point of wondering whether Anthony is actually worthy of her or not.
The perfect soundtrack
Aside from the main couple, the season brings with it many changes, some more fortunate than others. The orchestral covers of famous modern tunes don’t feel as present as they were in the previous season. This is undoubtedly a big mistake since they are a big part of the show’s personality.
Still, the string quartet covers manage to frame and mould a few key moments, making them unforgettable thanks to the tune chosen. Nirvana’s Stay Away is certainly the perfect tune to communicate the state of mind with which Anthony begins the marriage season. Although the main hit is no doubt Miley Cyrus’ Wrecking Ball, which accompanies the most heart-melting scene of this second season, one that manages to surpass even the climax backed by Calvin Harris & Disciples’ How Deep Is Your Love.
Ups and downs
The revelation of Lady Whistledown’s identity at the end of the past season could also be counted among the big errors of the show. It robs you of that delightful mystery way too early on, and while it is interesting to see Penelope (Nicola Coughlan) navigate her double identity, it would have been more thrilling to keep the secret for longer, maybe teasing audiences to figure it out themselves or at least giving them some time to make their own theories around it. Not to mention her character seems to become comically more obvious between this season and the last, a step back that does not make much sense considering her intelligence.
Fortunately, they kept some of the previous season in mind for the new narrative, and no, I’m not talking about the all-too-known, dramatic, sleepless nights—which also do make an appearance—but rather about Daphne (Phoebe Dynevor). This familiar face is not only charming and witty but also presents us with the best turn of tables of the show. It is grand to see how the characters fare after their love story is “ended”. Sure, this might not be her season anymore, but that does not mean that she has nothing else to contribute. In fact, it is enthralling to see who she really is outside the pressures of finding a husband or playing therapist to him.
Three is a crowd
As for the characters around the main couple, Edwina (Charithra Chandran) is obviously the most relevant. She is essentially Cameron Diaz in My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997). She is charming and sweet, a being of light who remains completely oblivious to the torture those around her are feeling. Because you are placed in Kate’s perspective, it is easy to write her off as the collateral damage of true love, but, much like Diaz, she will come to surprise you once she finds her own voice and the veil is lifted from her eyes.
All in all, Bridgerton’s second season is more dramatic and violent but less sexual, which in turn makes it all the more intense. A thrilling continuation of the Bridgertons’ adventures in society.
Advice to take from this movie:
- Arseholes can sometimes change… but they usually need therapy to do so.
- There is always someone for everyone; just be yourself. Even if “yourself” happens to be a d*ck.
- Hidden truths tend to rot inside of you if you do not let them out.
What’s your take? Have you watched Bridgerton? Don’t hesitate to let me know your thoughts in the comments section below, or leave a message on my contact page! For more reviews and cinema-related articles, check out the rest of my blog! 😀