The flawed Bridget Jones, played by Renee Zellweger, became the first character in popular culture to erase all stereotypes about a woman. Emerging at the height of the 2000s, at a time when the image of a girl was idealized as much as M-size jeans seemed out of the ordinary, Bridget took on the role of the main feminist of the 2000s with her ridiculous pajamas and messy hair. And even 21 years after the film’s release, he remains one of the heroes who inspired millions of women to accept themselves as they are.
Not surprisingly, in 2016, the character of Renee Zellweger entered the list of the seven most powerful women in history. Imagine a fictional character made up of women like Margaret Thatcher, Beyoncé, and Germaine Greer. And although Bridget Jones may not be able to gather all the stadiums the way Queen B did, that doesn’t negate the fact that she changed a woman’s mind in society and allowed herself to stray from the standards of beauty. sexuality.
We spoke with Galina Laisheva, psychotherapist of the Yasno service, about how Bridget Jones managed to fall in love with millions of girls on the other side of the screen.
Galina Laisheva, clinical psychologist, candidate of psychological sciences, psychotherapist of the Yasno service
Bridget Jones is a wonderful embodiment of “girl next door” as Spider-Man in the world of superheroes. He’s obviously flawed, which makes him attractive. Bridget does not express any superiority over others or the audience. There doesn’t seem to be anything surprising about him. But she answers the question that has so infuriated: Is it possible to get approval and love if you’re not perfect?
Throughout the movie, she is introduced to her shortcomings (or what seems like a shortcoming to her): she keeps a close eye on her weight and tries to lose weight, goes with alcohol and suffers from a hangover, and finds herself in silly situations. His superpower seems spontaneous and not afraid to appear ridiculous. But he doesn’t always know how to use it. Bridget is terrified of not meeting her own expectations, of being seen as stupid or out of place, and this fear makes her feel insecure. Most of the time he’s really out of his depth: just remember the party he came to in a bunny costume. But sometimes a silly look is only the fruit of his own concern, as in Mark Darcy’s company, for example.
When you don’t know if you’re handsome enough, smart enough, or successful enough, it’s easy for the audience to understand this feeling – but you also really want acceptance and approval. Bridget is repeatedly confronted with one of the main societal fears – public condemnation, “losing your face” – but that doesn’t make her go away. On the contrary, if Bridget wants to look different, better than she is (“better” is just an image in her head), it will not bring her happiness. If she’s chasing the perfect picture of herself or a relationship, it’s silly and even painful. But when he gives up on his expectations and ideal images, it turns out that he himself – as he is – is enough for love.
Bridget Jones struggles with perfectionism and does so in the most sensitive and difficult subjects. Is it possible not to be weak? How does the number on the scale relate to the feeling of attraction (spoiler – non-linear)? What should you do if you are 30 years old and not in a relationship? What to do with a career when failures seem to be creeping up from all sides? Bridget makes jokes about snake scales and feels very vulnerable.
If the movie were to provide direct answers and draw a clear success story, it wouldn’t have felt so natural. Jones doesn’t know how to deal with life, but he doesn’t give up and overcomes difficulties with humor. Not all of his decisions or actions are correct, but somewhere he admits that he has acted stupidly or impulsively and tries to correct the mistake. Bridget is fascinated by the fact that she is seeking: she seeks out certain patterns of behavior, trying to understand what it means to be a modern woman. What books to read (about men or independence?), how to survive defeat, is a serious relationship necessary or enough to be a sex goddess, how to dress sexy and not look ridiculous or stupid at the same time.
Bridget’s strength is her sensuality. With this, he captivates Mark Darcy and the audience: he reacts sincerely and vividly to people and events, empathizing and not hiding his feelings. The prudent Mark admires his emotional energy and values him more than a standards-compliant co-worker. The liveliness of feelings allows Bridget not to defend herself from the world, to cover herself with an ideal facade. Disappointments and failures do not make him cynical or distant: even in a Thai prison, she continues to dream of love and hope for the best.
Despite the romantic comedy genre, the movie isn’t just a non-linear love story with the classic choice between a boring good guy and a charming villain. Bridget’s parents also have an uneasy relationship. Communication with his mother is not always easy: ideas of happiness are seriously different, but the hero tries to understand and sympathize with each of the parents, although their quarrel hurts him painfully.
The viewer can easily identify with Bridget Jones – understand her worries and anxieties, rejoice at her ups and downs and laugh at ridiculous situations. It also performs an important psychological function: it reduces the severity of requirements for itself, looks at standards with irony and lives a bright emotional life, instead of ideal paintings – stylish and unreal.
Source: People Talk
