Renee Zellweger covers the February issue of British Vogue, all to promote her latest outing as Bridget Jones. Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy comes out on Valentine’s Day on Peacock, but it will also get a theatrical run. I don’t know how limited the theatrical run will be – I don’t think they’re putting much stock in this film, although the previous Bridget Jones movies have done well financially. Hilariously, British Vogue asked Hugh Grant to interview Renee for their cover story. There were rumors, years ago, that they didn’t get along, but it’s clear that they’re friendly and it’s also clear that Hugh thinks Renee is “mildly bonkers” (his words). To be fair to Hugh, I’m pretty sure Renee is quite bonkers. So is Hugh, if anyone is wondering. Instead of out-crazying each other, their interview was rather charming – after working together on-and-off for 25 years, they’re in tune to each other’s rhythms and quirks. Some highlights, although it’s worth it to read the full piece.
Hugh on Renee: “With a lot of other actors, you think they’re really great and then suddenly you see a little glint of steely, scary ambition and you realise this person would trample their grandmother to get what they want in this business. But I’ve never seen that glint coming off you. So either it’s very well disguised or you are quite nice.
Renee on Hugh: “I’m actually just very boring. Meanwhile you’re fascinating, with a vast hidden trove of outstanding skills. You’re hilariously brilliant at everything you hate. And, though you hate humans, you’re a very good and loyal friend. I like you very much. And I love working with you.
Whether Renee gets better gifts for Colin Firth: “Well, Colin doesn’t get the chocolates anymore. He told me accidentally that he doesn’t really like them – I think he forgot that I’m the person who sends them to him. [Hugh: You’ve never sent me chocolates.] Because you get the whisky.
Renee worked at Picador while working on her British accent: “I became aware of [the backlash to my casting] when I worked at Picador…I was “Bridget Cavendish” because Jonathan Cavendish, the film’s producer, was very good friends with the gentleman who was the editor of Picador. Part of my job was to take the newspaper clippings from the daily papers and file them under Helen Fielding’s file, as they represented her. And I started having to clip these articles about this “crap American actor” who was set to play Bridget Jones.
Why she came back to Bridget: “I love her. And her story is not finished. As long as Helen [Fielding] puts pen to paper, she’s alive. How much are we allowed to say about it? I guess we catch up with everyone later in life. Life has changed, they’ve changed. Bridget’s a mom…
Hugh on the appeal of Bridget Jones: “In a nutshell, I say it is the antidote to Instagram. Instagram is telling people, especially women, “Your life’s not good enough.” It’s not as good as this woman’s or this woman’s, making you insecure. Whereas what Helen did with Bridget is to celebrate failure, while making it funny and joyful.
Renee on Bridget’s appeal: “I was going to say the exact same thing! [Laughs dryly.] I fear this sarcasm won’t translate in print. What I think is, don’t you meet a lot of people who say, “I am Bridget Jones”!? I think maybe folks recognise themselves in her and relate to her struggles and feelings of self-doubt. Bridget is authentically herself and doesn’t always get it right, but whatever her imperfections, she remains joyful and optimistic, carries on and triumphs in her own way.
Renee on what Britain was like 24 years ago: “What I mostly remember thinking back then was that everybody loved the food at M&S. Prepackaged food in America 24 years ago was a terrible idea. If you were to rock up to a 7-Eleven and grab a hot dog, it was at your own risk. So the idea of foods ready to go seemed sketchy to me. But it really was great…
There’s a lot more and they had a lovely chat. Are they besties? No, but they have a lot of respect for each other and they have a nice, chaotic vibe together. I feel like Hugh is a guy who can be wound up rather easily, and Renee quiet craziness sort of calms him down? The detail about Renee reading all of the British bitching about “an American being cast as Bridget” is so funny, especially since everyone agreed that Renee really nailed the accent and the character at the end of the day. Now, will I watch Mad About the Boy? No. The book was awful!
Cover & IG courtesy of British Vogue.
Is that AI Renee Zellweger? It looks nothing like her, and I don’t mean aging. Just strange.
I lost interest in Bridget Jones after the 2nd movie. I don’t think I even watched the 3rd.
But I do love the first book. I hope they do the 4th one right.
I love Bridget (the book character), and so love Renee by default. This exchange was actually really charming to read.
I would not have recognized Renee, but I don’t think I’ve seen a picture of her in a long time. I enjoyed the first Bridget Jones, and sort of endured the second one, but after that I was not interested in any more Bridget.
“Instagram is telling people, especially women, “Your life’s not good enough.” It’s not as good as this woman’s or this woman’s, making you insecure.”
SPOT ON. I quit social media because I got so depressed, especially after becoming a mom. Between people’s fake curated profiles only showing the highlight reels (of which I was also guilty) and the many targeted ads telling you that you’re not a good enough parent or you’re missing out on life. I am much happier now and am confident that I’m a good mom.
I remember in the pr push for the first film Hugh kind of skewered Renee’s English accent, saying she sounded more posh than the queen. I’m loving his curmudgeon era. He’s hilarious.
I remember that! He called her “Princess Margaret.”
I enjoyed the first movie but didn’t care for the second. But the third was actually pretty charming and fun, so I think I will watch this. It’s a nice Valentines Day option. And I love this stage of Hugh Grant.