My newest obsession is Bridget Jones Diary but I kinda feel bad about it
Can I forgive Hugh Grant??
My diary certainly doesn’t contain entries about Colin Firth and Hugh Grant. I WISH!! However, maybe I don’t actually wish that. The way Bridget interacts with these men, especially Grant’s character, Daniel Cleaver, is quite a slap in the face for women. I find myself drawn to it. Why?
Bridget Jones Diary is essentially a British, and much more gauche, version of Sex and the City. Think of Bridget as a less glamorous version of Carrie. Although I do enjoy Bridget’s outfits, Carrie just lives a much more glamorous lifestyle (the shoes!). Then, Firth and Grant’s characters are synonymous with Mr. Big and Aidan. (Although, I’m open for suggestions about if Daniel Cleaver is truly Aidan… he’s also kinda Big)
The film begins with a classic life crisis. Bridget has been chronically single for her entire life, but then dedicates her time to becoming socially hot, and her whole life changes. She attracts two men after days of changing her lifestyle to be a “hot girl.” It’s fascinating, really.
Mark and Daniel are two polar opposites. Mark is respectful and dignified. Daniel, not so much. Daniel, in fact, is a liar and a cheat. Yet, there is something about him that reels me in and I feel like a terrible woman for that.
Daniel’s actions toward Bridget are honestly horrendous. She finds them endearing, which is the hardest part. Daniel not only is her boss, he also gropes her, sends her sexual messages at work, gets her drunk, and then cheats on and lies to her. But it’s Hugh Grant! How bad can he be, if not innocent? Especially if Bridget finds herself enamored by his actions.
It’s curious, really. Women may dream of a workplace romance, but I’m not sure it would play out like that. This movie was filmed 24 years ago, and I do understand the times have changed. However, I can’t imagine that a woman would want sexual innuendos from her boss to be the catalyst for her first real relationship.
This is the problem with this film, although I love it. I love it because of who they casted, how Bridget is portrayed, and the writing that doesn’t involve Daniel Cleaver. The scenes with Daniel are riddled with false misconceptions about how women want to be treated by men.
These are tricky narratives. I assume the largest audience of this film is women, but its popularity could prove to any male onlooker wanting to find a girlfriend that these are the correct rituals to do so. That is false! At least, for me personally. I don’t think I would want my hot boss to ask where the rest of my skirt is. That is actually workplace harassment, and Bridget even threatens to report Daniel in the second installment of the series.
Additionally, casting Hugh Grant as the “bad boy” of the film makes it harder to see past his terrible ways. I mean, it’s Hugh Grant. The public knows him as this charming, (and a bit grumpy), boy-next-door. Viewers trust him because he is well-known, and to be frank, is one of the most handsome men in the UK. It’s hard to separate feelings of endearment for a character like Daniel played by an actor like Grant. His charisma overshadows a bulk of the misogyny. (Maybe I’m just projecting…)
It’s also possible that women with parasocial romantic feelings for Hugh Grant may wish for an inappropriate workplace romance based solely on the fact that Grant’s character finds himself in one. This may be because of societal implications that a women is not worthy without the attention of a man. But, it’s the 21st century now. We are worthy regardless of a man. If you want a workplace romance with Grant, I’d suggest you watch Love Actually first. He is quite the gentleman in that film.
Hopefully, women have the same one-sided admiration for Colin Firth, who actually portrays a real gentleman. Mark and Daniel are foils of each other, obviously. It’s an angel vs devil situation. Mark actually likes Bridget for her personality, which is this great astonishing surprise. (Come on.) This, he tells her and it’s so wonderful! But still… Daniel waits in the shadows.
Mark Darcy is based off of Mr. Darcy from Pride & Prejudice. Now, I’ve never seen that film (I want to), but I can only imagine that iteration of Mr. Darcy is just as respectful and polished as this one is. The first time Mark and Bridget really hang out is on Bridget’s birthday, surrounded by her gaggle of girlies. Deadbeat Daniel stops by and says “Oh, I thought you’d be alone". My God. It’s literally her birthday. Be so for real. Mark, instead, pours wine for her friends and treats them with the utmost respect.
Unfortunately, I found myself silently cheering for Daniel throughout the film. That is why I feel bad. To be fair, the writing does paint Mark as kinda a bad guy right until the end. But, clearly Mark is a good guy and is the better option for Bridget. Compared to Daniel, however, he lacks swag (sorry). It’s true! He lacks the suave nature of Daniel’s casual hotness. Sadly, Daniel only likes Bridget for her newfound sexiness, not necessarily because of her personality. That is an unhealthy narrative!!! Mark, as we know, actually likes her for her.
Fortunately, I did cheer for Mark in the second film. Daniel has less of a presence in the sequel, but he’s still there, lingering like the predator he’s always been.
OH my gosh and don’t even get me started on the weight jokes in this movie. Everyone is calling Bridget fat. Even Bridget calls herself fat when she is clearly not fat! This damaging narrative also happens in Love Actually (wait there are actually so many similarities between that film and this one) with, again, Hugh Grant’s love interest Natalie. It’s harmful! And stupid! And she isn’t fat! And how does Hugh Grant find himself in these roles?!! They are so similar! Okay, I’ll get off my soap box now.
I’m sorry to pick this film apart. I loved the movie, especially the fight scene between Daniel and Mark. It was a cutsey little romcom where the correct man does win in the end. And don’t get me wrong, the love triangle was entertaining and silly! Daniel Cleaver may be a scumbag but he was fun & trendy for a hot second there.
The BJDCU* is a testament to just how much the culture of women portrayed in entertainment media has changed since 2001. These types of romcoms would never be picked up by a studio in today’s political climate. It’s almost a bit of a shame. I wonder what the new one is going to be like? Guess I’ll have to go see it!! Who wants to join?
P.S. - The actress who plays Moaning Myrtle is in this movie - so weird.
*Bridget Jones Diary Cinematic Universe