Some celebrities shine a spot light on physical changes to their appearance. Joan Rivers for example took the bull by the horns making her face, her age and appearance a part of her act. Despite her candidness, the documentary 'A Piece Of Work' clearly showed, it was still a sensitive subject, one still able to hurt. Rivers took control of that hurt, directing it outward so less would stick and burrow inward. Not every celebrity is as skilled at manoeuvring through pain publicly. Renee Zellweger always struck me as someone, like so many, not completely secure in her appearance. Although applauded for her 'cute and quirky' look, Zellweger never seemed comfortable in public, often looking down and away. Zellweger shone on screen, when she could escape into a character.
Without a current move, or character to inhabit, Zellweger is currently without a shield. The lack of protection has been so terrifying to her, she has virtually disappeared from the public eye for the better part of the last six years. When I see someone without a shield, vulnerable, and raw, I tend to want to protect. Not in a 'beat em up' sort of way, but in a quiet, supportive way. It is how I am with others, and how I like those around me to be with me. I see, but never quite understand when some see the lack of protection as an invitation. An easy entry to harm another without the fear of any sort of repercussion.
I love Bridget Jones, the Diary Bridget, not the Bridget from Edge Of Reason. That first movie came along at a time I needed a comfort movie and Bridget, and Renee's portrayal of her, provided hours of comfort through a very difficult time. In one very sucky year, starting a New Year with Bridget, and her mother's turkey curry buffet was just what I needed. Some movies just do that for us, coming along at a particular moment to help turn a dark time, into something more manageable.
I was sort of sad, but not the least bit surprised, that so many people on-line, the same ones who post image after image, comment after comment condemning bullying within the gay community... are the same ones who often jump, make that pounce, on those who dare appear in public without their shield. Usually, but not always, it is a celebrity. Some are witty, even funny but most, are just cruel. I totally get comments about her change appearance, what I don't get is how that change somehow now makes her a candidate for stoning. Those same people will predictably love her again when she is up for another Oscar or dating a hunky co-star. Without a hit movie however... she is simply bait.