Bridget Jones's weight sparks conversation about how harmful body expectations can be

Revisiting old films years later can be a shock.

Things that seemed normal back then are revealed to be utterly jarring in the cold light of 2020.

As comedy writer Mollie Goodfellow discovered on a rewatch of noughties chick flick classic Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason.

Tweeting about her viewing experience, Goodfellow wrote “can you believe they hated women so much they tried to tell us Bridget Jones was fat?”, before saying she’d turned off the film in favour of switching to Hot Fuzz.

But Goodfellow’s observation quickly sparked a discussion about the impact films like Bridget Jones have on body image.

People shared how growing up with the film had harmfully influenced their self-perception.

Some said it had a direct impact on their relationship with their weight.

While others remained shocked at both how the film demonised the idea of being fat – especially in regards to a woman who was a perfectly conventional weight.

Some other uncomfortable aspects of Bridget’s portrayal were also highlighted.

What we wouldn’t give to own a flat in Zone 1 at 30…

It was also pointed out that the books themselves were meant to be a satirical depiction of how women were made to feel lesser by society.

But the films lost something in translation.

Maybe it’s time for a reboot...?