So, I really enjoyed the movie...but I also enjoyed this insightful take on wanting more for Bridget and, especially, for ourselves. (Also single and 46, so am looping myself in there with ya!) Thanks for always sharing yourself so vulnerably and inviting us to think and be deeper. Marianne Power's Diary FTW.
Too bloody right!!! I have been single all my life (65 yrs old) people have now given up asking me about 'who are you seeing?' or gently trying to say it is OK if I am gay (I am not!) and I would have LOVED story about a single girl who is happy, fulfilled and living a big life as a single person. I have a friend who married, had kids and very successfully fulfilled the corporate wife roles for years (corporate invites to Wimbledon but never saw any tennis as it was chatting with boring people over a glass of bubbles whilst all the while smiling away) and I envied her because she seemed to have it all (her kids have become stupendous and wonderful people, a big, hard-earnt achievement) whilst she endlessly tells me that she envied me the ability to do whatever I wanted, read books into the night and lounge around in my dressing gown as long as I liked! She and her husband have recently retired and are now learning the joy of my life of living only to my expectations and no other!
There are many ways to be happy - let's not have only ONE narrative in our books, films and society's expectations!!!
Thanks, Sue. That's exactly it - there are so many ways to be happy and culture hasn't really caught up with that even though more and more of us are living those different ways. Mx
So...having read and loved 'Help Me' & 'Love Me' I can't think of anyone better to write the 'alternative' to Bridget Jones...there are too many 'blockbusters' that just repeat and reinforce stereotypes. Come on Marianne this script is for you...you've already got enough material for a best selling fictional trilogy...telling it as it really is...move over BJ and make way for MP!
Never liked Bridget Jones so imho, your book(s) (I've only read one) are far superior. Great post. Now back to editing my own book about inspiring women activists that hopefully some people will read and find those new role models you're talking about (and entirely agree with everything in those last paragraphs!)
Jeeze, you put into words what I've been thinking. I love all those old movies and stories, but I can't write them. Not in this current environment, or ever hereafter. The only thing I want to write about is women using their power to overcome their challenges. Romance can be a side plot (I guess), but not the main story.
exactly! romance isn't bad and Bridget's new guys are great - it's just one part of a life, or at least that is how it is for me. We have loaded so much of our power, self-esteem and hope onto The One and it's completely imbalanced and weird! 'Romance as the side plot ' I love that phrase - thank you!
The film made my skin crawl; it felt soooo lazy and lacklustre and not of this time. And yes, like a giant wheel of cinematic cheese. I’ve not read your books (yet) Marianne though am single and do live in a kinda commune with my adult kids and their partners just in Hampshire not Hampstead 🤓. I’m amazed the film got made at all.
Bridget Jones was the era of Ally McBeal, each of its time. I'm reading The Midnight Library by Matt Haig which is similar, with a female protagonist, Nora. Exceptionally good (as is anything written by Katherine Rundell).
Ah thanks Simon - I'd forgotten bout Ally McBeal, she was very similar ditzy I'm a mess while also being a high powered lawyer thing going on. I haven't read The Midnight Library yet - thanks for the recommendations.
I agree with what you've said and the suggestion below that you should write a script in support of being single and happy. (I was so disappointed in the ending of Sex & and City where 3 were married and the fourth in a relationship. I expected at least one to revel in the thrill of being single.) I've been married and I've been single (for 35 years), and single suits me best.
Thank you, Skyler - I appreciate this encouragement. I live in a building with eight flats and we are all single. We go in and out of each other's flats, eat together, moan together - it's my form of family and I've wanted to write a script about that. Interesting that single suits you best, would love to hear more about that if you'd be up for sharing here?
Oh please write this! I’m reading Love Me! right now and loving it but must admit I also went to insta to see if you post photos of your flat. I’m now in a parasocial relationship with the chip shop.
So, I really enjoyed the movie...but I also enjoyed this insightful take on wanting more for Bridget and, especially, for ourselves. (Also single and 46, so am looping myself in there with ya!) Thanks for always sharing yourself so vulnerably and inviting us to think and be deeper. Marianne Power's Diary FTW.
Thank you, I just had to look up FTW!
:) FTW... I like it...Marianne's Diary... Bridget's grown up sister with a fetish for strawberries & paper dragons!
Too bloody right!!! I have been single all my life (65 yrs old) people have now given up asking me about 'who are you seeing?' or gently trying to say it is OK if I am gay (I am not!) and I would have LOVED story about a single girl who is happy, fulfilled and living a big life as a single person. I have a friend who married, had kids and very successfully fulfilled the corporate wife roles for years (corporate invites to Wimbledon but never saw any tennis as it was chatting with boring people over a glass of bubbles whilst all the while smiling away) and I envied her because she seemed to have it all (her kids have become stupendous and wonderful people, a big, hard-earnt achievement) whilst she endlessly tells me that she envied me the ability to do whatever I wanted, read books into the night and lounge around in my dressing gown as long as I liked! She and her husband have recently retired and are now learning the joy of my life of living only to my expectations and no other!
There are many ways to be happy - let's not have only ONE narrative in our books, films and society's expectations!!!
Thanks, Sue. That's exactly it - there are so many ways to be happy and culture hasn't really caught up with that even though more and more of us are living those different ways. Mx
“Could she not have started a commune in her massive Hampstead house?” Amen!!
And maybe let her kids have a room each?!
So...having read and loved 'Help Me' & 'Love Me' I can't think of anyone better to write the 'alternative' to Bridget Jones...there are too many 'blockbusters' that just repeat and reinforce stereotypes. Come on Marianne this script is for you...you've already got enough material for a best selling fictional trilogy...telling it as it really is...move over BJ and make way for MP!
Thank you!!!
I second this! :)
Never liked Bridget Jones so imho, your book(s) (I've only read one) are far superior. Great post. Now back to editing my own book about inspiring women activists that hopefully some people will read and find those new role models you're talking about (and entirely agree with everything in those last paragraphs!)
This books sounds great! Keep us posted on it?
Jeeze, you put into words what I've been thinking. I love all those old movies and stories, but I can't write them. Not in this current environment, or ever hereafter. The only thing I want to write about is women using their power to overcome their challenges. Romance can be a side plot (I guess), but not the main story.
exactly! romance isn't bad and Bridget's new guys are great - it's just one part of a life, or at least that is how it is for me. We have loaded so much of our power, self-esteem and hope onto The One and it's completely imbalanced and weird! 'Romance as the side plot ' I love that phrase - thank you!
The film made my skin crawl; it felt soooo lazy and lacklustre and not of this time. And yes, like a giant wheel of cinematic cheese. I’ve not read your books (yet) Marianne though am single and do live in a kinda commune with my adult kids and their partners just in Hampshire not Hampstead 🤓. I’m amazed the film got made at all.
“Now is not the time for insecurity or self-doubt, there is work to do.” ❤️❤️❤️
Let's get on it, Cate.
I loved the movie, an easy watch and I hadn’t really thought beyond that. But I agree with all you have said here. Pause for thought.
I loved it too, Lesley but then there was a kind of dud aftertaste that made me not love it.
Bridget Jones was the era of Ally McBeal, each of its time. I'm reading The Midnight Library by Matt Haig which is similar, with a female protagonist, Nora. Exceptionally good (as is anything written by Katherine Rundell).
Ah thanks Simon - I'd forgotten bout Ally McBeal, she was very similar ditzy I'm a mess while also being a high powered lawyer thing going on. I haven't read The Midnight Library yet - thanks for the recommendations.
I’m older than you, but similarly have wondered about the impact on my generation of Annie Hall. #LaDiDa
I sobbed for the loss of that innocent past and because I found the whole film revoltingly cheesy
It really was a reminder of a more innocent past. The world has changed so much.
Also the death stuff, it’s our reality now. Darcy far more likely to have died of cancer or heart attack than of his human rights business
It’s time
I agree with what you've said and the suggestion below that you should write a script in support of being single and happy. (I was so disappointed in the ending of Sex & and City where 3 were married and the fourth in a relationship. I expected at least one to revel in the thrill of being single.) I've been married and I've been single (for 35 years), and single suits me best.
Thank you, Skyler - I appreciate this encouragement. I live in a building with eight flats and we are all single. We go in and out of each other's flats, eat together, moan together - it's my form of family and I've wanted to write a script about that. Interesting that single suits you best, would love to hear more about that if you'd be up for sharing here?
Oh please write this! I’m reading Love Me! right now and loving it but must admit I also went to insta to see if you post photos of your flat. I’m now in a parasocial relationship with the chip shop.
Writing the script sounds like an ace idea!