Thanks, KJ! RZ fits Bridget physically, and she does have a very expressive face. I just do not like her voice and am holding out to see how well she does a British accent. Any news on the rest of the cast?

Thanks for the link, KJ. Loved the line 'Colin Firth, as he's known.' V.v. funny interview.

The Observer? No, I don't think so. ;-)

(Evelyn quoting Movieline) One English TV and film producer explained it this way:'Imagine if they cast a Brit girl as the star in a movie version of "Ally Mc Beal'. Ok, I'm imagining it, and there'd be a huge collective yawn. Nobody here cares about that stuff. Nobody. In fact, we like it when people come here and do well. (Movieline) Anyway, Z. reportedly so wowed the moviemakers that she slipped the role right out of the clutches of such Brit worthies as Kate Winslet, Helena BC, and Kate Beckinsale." Well, last I heard, Kate Beckinsale just nabbed a plumb role in Pearl Harbor, playing an American. Helena's last screen role shown here was Fight Club, playing an American. Kate Winslet was in that movie about a ship hitting an iceberg and sinking . . . playing an American. Geez, we just had Sam Neill and Thandie Newton playing Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemmings! I think I feel a letter to Movieline coming on; maybe they'll pass the word along to *get over it.*

(Movieline) Anyway, Z. reportedly so wowed the moviemakers that she slipped the role right out of the clutches of such Brit worthies as Kate Winslet, Helena BC, and Kate Beckinsale." At least we know she auditioned for the part. She must have done something right. Her accent made them hire someone to work on it right away. Remember back to her casting announcement followed by she is working on the accent.

Ok, I'm imagining it, and there'd be a huge collective yawn. Nobody here cares about that stuff. Nobody. And do you think most people in the UK care either? It is just our sloppy press. I think we probably read too many newspapers in the UK. When I was at school .. long long ago .. it was said we read more newspapers per head of population than any other country on earth. I suspect it has not changed much. It means journalists here pick up on anything to fill up those acres of newsprint.

Thanks for your perspective, Allison. Here's more on that Cleaver guy, from Empire: Exclusive: Hugh's Hidden Talent 11/05/2000 Who�d have thought Hugh Grant would be a bundle of nerves over Bridget Jones? During a recent New York visit to talk about his role in Woody Allen�s Small Time Crooks, Grant departed from the initial subject to confess his fears of facing the first read-through for Bridget Jones� Diary and reveal that he is working on his own screenplay. �It�s always terrifying, and it�s pathetic,� he admitted of the rehearsals. �I don�t think you get used to it. Sitting around with everyone thinking, is the script going to work? And then �come on, Hugh, you�re the one who�s being paid all this money,� and it�s not particularly funny, and it�s just dreadful.� Grant sang praise for his old Notting Hill mucker Richard Curtis, who is co-writing the script with Bridget author Helen Fielding. �He�s done a particularly good job of it. It should work,� Grant said. �I�m just hoping that someone else will be really, really bad, because that relaxes you.� He defended the casting of American Renee Zellweger: �I gather her accent is triumphant already, actually.� In a departure from his other Curtis-penned roles, Grant gets to be the bad boy. �She�s in love with her boss, who�s attractive but a bastard,� the actor says. �At the end of the film, she finds out that this other guy, who seemed to be a bit of a nerd, is in fact the man of her dreams.� In related cad news, Grant remains attached to the role of Will in Nick Hornby�s About A Boy. �It�s in play, yeah,� he confirmed. �We�re just trying to get the script right and talking to various directors. It�s a great book; it would be a great role.� He�s also working on his own screenplay, which was �coming along swimmingly� until he became distracted by other projects. He swears he�ll get back to it soon, as �it was looking quite promising.� The plot is secret, as Grant is �paranoid about it being stolen,� but he does disclose that �a lot of it takes place in France [during] the hot drought summer of 1976.� That was the year, Grant notes, that the British public had to share baths or forego them altogether. Perhaps he�ll clean up nicely.

A friend sent to me an interesting interview with Richard Curtis done to promote the movie Notting Hill. It included this: "Four Weddings was originally called Four Weddings And A Honeymoon, and in my imagination was going to finish off with a very silly sequence a bit like 10 - it was going to be her honeymoon, and him following her on her honeymoon. My friend Helen Fielding [author of Bridget Jones' Diary] told me it was time I grew up and tried to get some profundity in my work, so we put in a funeral instead." ~~~~~~ Profundity? *hee hee* She must have been following her own advice when she had Mark Darcy going off with Rebecca for no apparent reason in the weekly columns. You can read the entire interview here: http://www.bbcamerica.com/spotlight/king_of_comedy/index.html

Thanks Allison..you restored my faith in the British public. Actually, I really don't care about the Bridget role... .....At the end of the film, she finds out that this other guy, who seemed to be a bit of a nerd, is in fact the man of her dreams. .....it's that nerdie guyI want to succeed. And he never lets us down.

Grant said. �I�m just hoping that someone else will be really, really bad, because that relaxes you.� Well, it won't be You-know-who :-)

From Press Association: Actress goes undercover to prepare for Bridget role American actress Renee Zellweger has revealed how she has prepared for her role as British heroine Bridget Jones - by working incognito for the book's publisher in London. The 31-year-old star told how she adopted the alias Bridget Cavendish and followed the example of Helen Fielding's fictional character by finding a job in the offices of Picador. Zellweger, who found fame starring alongside Tom Cruise in Jerry Maguire, is set to play the lovelorn career woman in a movie version of Bridget Jones's Diary. Speaking after a screening of her latest film, Nurse Betty, at the Cannes Film Festival, she said she had moved to London to ensure her Bridget was as British as the original. "I've been working with it for almost two-and-a-half months and living in London for two months, and I've got a job at a publishing firm," she said. "I've been working as Bridget Cavendish. I've rather enjoyed that actually, it's the first time I've used my college degree." She added: "Bridget will be absolutely British. I love the character and I love the book and I'm very excited about it. I'm trying to familiarise myself with the culture. I feel a very strong responsibility to make sure she's as truly British as I can make her." But asked if she could demonstrate her British accent, she replied bashfully: "It might be a bit premature." After the press conference, the actress revealed she had been working for Picador the publishers of the two Bridget Jones novels, for "a few weeks" but had since left the job. Zellweger, who is dating Hollywood funnyman Jim Carrey, is rumoured to be starring alongside Brits Hugh Grant and Colin Firth in the Bridget Jones film. The movie is one of 23 entered in competition for the feted Palme d'Or.

Zellweger, who is dating Hollywood funnyman Jim Carrey, is rumoured to be starring alongside Brits Hugh Grant and Colin Firth in the Bridget Jones film. The movie is one of 23 entered in competition for the feted Palme d'Or. Um, that sentence makes absolutely no sense???? Rumored???

It must be Nurse Betty that's entered for the Palme D'Or. Way to go, Renee! I like the undercover stuff, if it's believable. Were Picador in on it, I wonder, or did she land the job and then rely on her unknown-ness?

Way to go, Renee! I like the undercover stuff, if it's believable. Were Picador in on it, I wonder, or did she land the job and then rely on her unknown-ness? Wonder if she used her "British" accent:) How could she go undercover with THAT voice???

No, no, this is incorrect: Zellweger...is rumoured to be starring alongside Brits Hugh Grant and Colin Firth in the Bridget Jones film. It's been official for a couple of weeks.

Interesting article, Karen. Mark, I'd imagine Picador and/or Working Title greased the wheels for her undercover work. Seems like she's working hard at it, and is saying all the right things--and she should, as BJD is a big break for her. She's got the Carrey film coming out shortly, but that will be a typical JC vehicle with her in the "girlfriend" role, and Nurse Betty, I presume, is indie-type fare. BJD is the first in which she is the main star in a commercial film. Let us know if you come across any Nurse Betty reviews, or any photos of RZ from Cannes, as that will show us her BJD "look."

(Laura)Wonder if she used her "British" accent:) How could she go undercover with THAT voice??? You're tough, Laura;-) She's giving it the ole' school try.

Great review for Nurse Betty and for Renee. LaBute's "Nurse Betty" delights Cannes audience By Lee Yanowitch CANNES, France (Reuters) - While Cannes festival-goers were still digesting the orgiastic 17th century banquets of the opening film "Vatel," independent U.S. director Neil LaBute has exhilarated the audience with his comic Golden Palm entry "Nurse Betty". Betty Sizemore, played by Renee Zellweger, is a good-hearted small-town waitress who dreams of her true love -- David Ravell, the doctor in the corny soap opera "A Reason to Love" that she watches every day. After witnessing her pig of a husband's murder in a drug deal gone bad, Betty begins to live in the dream reality of her soap opera fantasy. No longer Betty the waitress, she becomes Nurse Betty. "People have a desire to remove themselves from the difficulties of their own lives. The stories in soap operas are often so outlandish, that it's cathartic," LaBute told a press conference. But as she sets off for Hollywood to find her dream doctor, she is pursued by the drug dealers who killed her husband. As Betty begins making contact with her beloved Ravell and the hitmen close in, life begins to imitate art and LaBute's film finds a perfect balance between comedy and violence. "What was interesting about the subject was the chance to make a comment on how U.S. society deals with the media, how they create stars, how people become so engaged in these shows and the characters, and how easily we can cross over," LaBute explained. It is unusual for a comedy to be chosen for the competition. The last comic film to take the coveted Golden Palm award was Quentin Tarantino's "Pulp Fiction" in 1994. Zellweger delivers a charming and finely tuned performance as the infatuated, dreamy Betty in a cast that includes Morgan Freeman as the hit man and Chris Rock as his impulsive and angry sidekick who himself becomes entranced by a character in the series. "There was a kindness, a sweetness and an on-screen chemistry about Renee. You can't manufacture that, it's innate. She was a pleasure to film," LaBute said. Throughout the press conference, Zellweger giggled and chatted nervously, giving stream-of- consciousness replies to the questions she was asked. "I haven't seen a soap opera since I was in 7th grade and me and my friends would get together and watch "All my children"," she said. "My role in "Nurse Betty" was really about being honest with telling the story and believing the things that Betty believed in."

There are lots of pics from Cannes with Renee. She looks like she always does, though fuller in the face (must be those extra 15 lbs;-) Decidedly non-glam. I've read she's very shy and doesn't like doing the press thing. Seems like the BJD sales job will fall mostly to Hughie; good thing he's on board.;-)

This report from Cannes was posted at Ain't It Cool News; see last paragraph--sounds hopeful: Another actress who will blow the socks off people is Renee Zellwegger in NURSE BETTY. This is the new film from Neil LaBute, who up til now has demonstrated a great skill with misogynism and emotional brutality. Boy, has he taken a backflip here. NURSE BETTY is the v. cool story of a Kansas waitress who is addicted to a soap called "A Reason to Live". She's secretly infatuated with the lead doctor in the show, played by the very well-cast smoothie Greg Kinnear. Unfortunately her real-life husband, Aaron Eckhart (sp?), is a low life car dealing scumball who has ripped off some stolen merchandise. Two hitmen (Morgan Freeman and Chris Rock) brutally murder him in the house, and Betty (who is in the kitchen but goes unnoticed by the killers) is so fucked up by the slaying that she slips into a mental fugue-state and convinces herself that she's a character in the soap. Needless to say, chaos ensues. She ends up in L.A. and in a serious of exquisitely designed circumstances ends up in Kinnear's world. I don't want to say too much because this a film that really deserves to be discovered by audiences. If you haven't worked it out already, I LOVED this movie, and the European crowd absolutely lapped it up... much cheering & applause etc.. The film is solely reliant on Zellwegger, who I have never been that enraptured with until now even though I thought she was very appealling in Jerry Maguire. There has been a fair bit of backlash against her being cast as a Brit in BRIDGET JONES DIARY over a lot of very good English actresses, but having seen NURSE BETTY I don't think there's going to be a problem. I should also point out that Morgan Freeman is again terrific in a very different role. Look out for this movie because I think it's going to be a bit of a sleeper hit.

Pictures of Renee and costars at Cannes:

More complete article on Undercover Renee at The Times: The office secret of Bridget Jones BY ALEX O'CONNELL THE secret of an office's unusually classy "work experience girl" was revealed yesterday. She was a Hollywood actress working undercover to prepare for the part of the English heroine Bridget Jones. Ren�e Zellweger, 31, spent 2� weeks before Easter as a "dogsbody" in the London offices of a publisher before filming for Bridget Jones' Diary. Some of the older men in the office took quite a shine to the new girl, offering her advice on how to get into the books industry. Unknown to them, the temporary employee - known in the office as Bridget Cavendish - was already quite successful in her own right. The actress's personal driver would take her to work for 9.30am and collect her at 5.30pm every day. For lunch, she was whisked away to expensive restaurants where she would eat hearty meals in order to put on weight to play Helen Fielding's caloriecounting character. The carefully planned ruse was almost exposed when it fell to her to get a cake for a colleague's leaving party. She arrived back at the office with �100-worth of hand-made tarts from a Soho patisserie. The actress, a Texan, starred alongside Tom Cruise in Jerry Maguire, but has been trying to acquire the right English accent. "I'm trying to familiarise myself with the culture," she said yesterday in Cannes. In the book, Bridget Jones is a publicist. "I feel a very strong responsibility to make sure she's as truly British as I can make her." She tried to copy the inflections of Camilla Elworthy, the head of publicity at Picador, the only person in the office in on the secret. Ms Elworthy said: "Nobody knew. We often have people doing work experience, so that was the story. No one missed her at lunchtime because work experience girls don't usually go out for lunch with people who work here." Lucy Henson, head of publicity at Pan, who shared the same open-plan office, said: "I kept thinking, she sounds exactly like Camilla, despite being American. It kept throwing me. She was prettier and had nicer clothes than most work experience people but I didn't really think about it." In the book, Bridget wears skirts which graze her bottom and layers of mascara. But Zellweger, who was a waitress in a topless bar before she made it in films, and is dating the American actor Jim Carrey, opted for casual clothes and no make-up. "She was making an effort to dress down," said Ms Elworthy. She made cups of coffee, photocopied, answered the telephone and rang literary agents with word of new publications. Ms Elworthy added: "Imagine how it felt to get a Hollywood actress to do your photocopying."

The RZ article is on the front page, with a huge colour pic....couldn't be more prominent. It's very good, and positive, publicity for her....I think a lot of people will like her for this (not that anyone disliked her before!!)

The actress's personal driver would take her to work for 9.30am and collect her at 5.30pm every day. For lunch, she was whisked away to expensive restaurants where she would eat hearty meals in order to put on weight to play Helen Fielding's caloriecounting character. The carefully planned ruse was almost exposed when it fell to her to get a cake for a colleague's leaving party. She arrived back at the office with �100-worth of hand-made tarts from a Soho patisserie. "I'm trying to familiarise myself with the culture," she said yesterday in Cannes. In the book, Bridget Jones is a publicist. "I feel a very strong responsibility to make sure she's as truly British as I can make her." Puh-leeze. Am I the only one turned off by this? Renee, if you want to familiarize yourself with the culture, why don't you get your bony ass on some public transport to work, eat a working class hearty lunch, and buy an ordinary working class dessert? But Zellweger, who was a waitress in a topless bar before she made it in films Puh-leeze. And now only chauffered cars, 5-star restaurants, and oh-so-chic patisserie will do. Yeech. This is a particular turn-off for me, especially when "our boys" are so much more down-to-earth. Sorry, it's early morning here, maybe I'll feel different after I'm fully awake :-)

"our boys" are so much more down-to-earth. Which boy(s) did you have in mind?

The carefully planned ruse was almost exposed when it fell to her to get a cake for a colleague's leaving party. She arrived back at the office with �100-worth of hand-made tarts from a Soho patisserie. Sounds pretty Bridget-esque to me.

Sounds pretty Bridget-esque to me. I was thinking the same thing!!!! :)

I remember when Robert DeNiro had to pack on the pounds, he did it by downing milkshakes and burgers. Maybe I have Patrick Stewart on the brain, poor pampered baby. It sounds like he might have to eat crow in his battle with the producers. I don't know if anyone read the article that mentioned how he walked out of his own premiere party at Sardi's because he didn't like the crudities being served. LOL. So another article about a star being driven to her job and rushed off to expensive restaurants at lunch, etc., etc., and we're supposed to be impressed, just leaves me colder than a witches xxxx :-) "Our boys" - I was referencing Colin and Stephen. Seems like the more talented, the less pretentious. Meow. :-)

Think you had one too many x's! ;-) Hadn't heard about those Patrick Stewart complaints; just his rant on stage. What a prima donna! Doubt that RZ is really like that, but they probably feared she would get lost in the big city. ;-)

The article went on to say how he never even went into the room where the press was. He and his group just walked out. Arther Miller was reported as upset that Patrick walked out too. So I guess there has been tension on that stage for quite some time, and probably over more than just publicity. And sorry to all if my earlier posts sounded edgy (hey, I was!) :-)

Perhaps RZ is getting some practice in for the scene where she's whisked up to Grafton Underwood in Mark Darcy's chauffeur driven car! I like the sound of RZ though...and the buying of the cakes episode does sound Bridget-esque. As for star behaviour, long may Colin remain resolutely unglamorous and in the real world!

From the 14 May 2000 edition of The Daily Spectacle: Once again a sea of controversy swirls around the casting of the movie Bridget Jones�s Diary. In a surprising turn of events, erstwhile supermodel Ru Paul will play the cameo role of Daniel Cleaver�s rooftop bronzed giantess girlfriend. Rene Zellweger, whose casting as Bridget Jones also wasn�t well received by many loyal fans of the book, has rallied to Mr. Paul�s defense: � I don�t know what the fuss is about. Why can�t a black American drag queen play the role of a bronzed American hetero female? A strategically placed towel here, a discreet camera shot there, and no one will be the wiser. Besides, the casting of Mr. Paul adds a whole new Crying Game dimension to the relationship between Daniel Cleaver and the giantess.� The other cast members could not be reached for comment, but one source close to the production overheard Hugh Grant stammering �Ru who?� ********************************** In all seriousness, I want to wish everyone a happy Mothers Day. I am in awe of your collective ability to get the scoop on all things Firth and BJD. CF should sign you (all) up to be his PR team and agent(s). I honestly do not know how you do it, but am grateful for your energy and perseverance. Lisa, mother to an elderly orange tabby (a.k.a. a ginger tom). PS: I hope the above parody did not offend anyone. It was written with great affection. As you may know by now, I like to play around with words and situations and have a bit of fun.

LOL!!! Poor Hughie;) Lisa, that is just too funny! Actually, thought it was real casting there for a minute!!! (Mr. Paul, hahahahahaha;))

v. clever and funny, Lisa. You never know who reads these boards...it could still happen. Let's cross our fingers. ;-)

btw, Hughie will be on TV this week promoting the Woody Allen movie. I see him listed on Wednesday for the Today show and then Letterman, probably others.

supermodel Ru Paul will play the cameo role of Daniel Cleaver�s rooftop bronzed giantess girlfriend. Lisa, I was just about to... LOL! A scary thought! (I have met RU in Miami and all I can say is UGLY!)

Omigod!! He even looks like a pig!! That's Neil LaBute with RZ on the red carpet:

Oh, give it up already, Karen. I know you slept with this pic under your pillow last night.;-) ;-) Another rave for RZ and Nurse Betty in Variety. Film is due out the end of this year. Great timing for BJD; RZ will be on a critical high just as BJD is ready to debut. BTW, Piggy LaB didn't write this one; just directed. Lisa, I enjoyed your parody; I love satire, and I loath taking anything too seriously, so please do more! Nice to have you here.:-)

(Moon)I have met RU in Miami and all I can say is UGLY! Perhaps--but he does "clean up nicely," as my dad used to say (though not in reference to Ru, of course!). :) Check him out at http://www.rupaul.net/ (One of these days I will get the hang of HTML and my links will work.) I see that he spells his name RuPaul, not Ru Paul. So would that be his first name? Moon, did you meet him in or out of drag? Wasn't he in a print ad for Rockport shoes dressed in a man's suit and very much out of drag? I must say that prefer his feminine side.

Dear god--the world must be ending. My link worked!

meant to say..."I prefer his feminine side."

Lisa, I met la Ru at a party and very much in drag. I have not seen any of NLB films, so I will take your word ladies. Nurse Betty does seem to be getting good reviews, so maybe, he has changed? ;-)

...talk about cleaning up...Renee's saying "you haven't showered since last year, have you?" I wasn't as turned off by the article about Renee's undercover assignment as you, Donna. It's not clear if the pampering (the driver, lunches, etc.) was her idea (if so--I'm with you). However, I am puzzled by this: Lucy Henson, head of publicity at Pan, who shared the same open-plan office, said: "I kept thinking, she sounds exactly like Camilla, despite being American. I would think the point of the exercise was to pass her off as British, not an American with a British accent. ???? V. funny parody, Lisa. If you hadn't noted that it was indeed a parody, I think you would have gotten a few bites. ;-)

(Mari) Piggy LaB didn't write this one; just directed. Yes, I know, and that makes a difference. However, he is writing/rewriting the s/p for Possession. That picture has convinced me. While "In the Company of Men" was promoted as a dark comedy and satire, Piggy here meant it to get back at women. That boy did NOT have one date in high school. He had a painful adolescence.

From USA Today: Also making the scene at Cannes: Renee Zellweger came to the seaside resort for the world premiere of Nurse Betty. She arrived from London, where she has been besieged by what she calls a "cruel" press, occasioned by her playing the very British title character opposite Hugh Grant in the movie version of the best-selling novel Bridget Jones's Diary . Zellweger has been living in London since February, trying to become a quintessential Brit. For research she worked incognito in a publishing firm, answering phones and filing. "It's essential," she said. "Part of my job was to scour the periodicals and papers to find anything that might pertain to books my company represents. In doing so, I'd find something about (the movie) Bridget Jones, and it's horrifying. You try not to pay attention to that stuff and not let it make you sad at worst." Steady Jim Carrey couldn't make it to Cannes. "I'm working in England, and he's back in America and taking his daughter to school (today), and I go back and start shooting Tuesday. It was not feasible, even though the south of France would be a great place to be."

In doing so, I'd find something about (the movie) Bridget Jones, and it's horrifying. You try not to pay attention to that stuff and not let it make you sad at worst." Give'em the finga', Renee....

(Eileen) It's not clear if the pampering (the driver, lunches, etc.) was her idea (if so--I'm with you). LOL, must be the nature of the beast. If you want another giggle, I found the article that talks about Patrick Stewart walking out of Maxim's (not Sardi's, as stated earlier). Incidentally, it must be infuriating for Patrick because right across from his theater where he is appearing in "The Ride...", "Waiting in the Wings" has the very kind of advertisements hanging from the marquee that he has been requesting. He has to stare at that every day he goes to the theater, sort of like pouring salt in an open wound. (Incidentally, we have since learned that he gave up his usual salary for a % of profits, so there is much more to this story than meets the eye (reported on topic 132), or that we'll ever know.) FOOD FOR THOUGHT IN PAT ATTACK ALL the talk at Sardi's yesterday during the Tony Awards breakfast was about the nominated "The Ride Down Mt. Morgan" and the ongoing row over the hissy fit its star, Patrick Stewart, threw a couple of weeks ago. You'll recall that Stewart, in an almost unprecedented act, used his curtain call to blast his producers for not getting behind the Arthur Miller play. The Shubert Organization has complained to Actors Equity about that attack. Anyway, some Broadway insiders were claiming that what set the shiny-domed star off was something as mundane as the nibbles that were served at the Maxim's restaurant party on opening night. According to these insiders, Stewart arrived at Maxim's and demanded to know what kind of hors d'oeuvres were on offer. Told it was basically crudit�s and dip, he supposedly said he'd been promised something more substantial, gathered up his entourage and stormed off to dinner elsewhere. Granted, Stewart would have been hungry after his brilliant and exhausting performance, but he never set foot upstairs at the restaurant where some 30 reporters and columnists were waiting to talk to him and provide some free publicity. Playwright Miller was upstairs preparing to schmooze the press, but he, too, departed in a huff when told his star had bailed on the evening, according to the gossip at Sardi's. If this is what caused Stewart's onstage tirade, it just proves that creative types need kid-glove handling.

I have just heard the most amazing thing on late night radio2, and that is that Eric Sykes (comedian) has a part in the forthcoming film Bridget Jones Diary, Bethan, Allison, Tracy, who on earth could ES be playing, surely not Bridget's Dad, wouldn't you say he was too old!!

What about the crazy uncle??? Wonder who is playing Julio???

Eric Sykes is a wonderful comedian, and his has done a great deal of television and recently stage work, but he must be in his 80's and is very deaf, its an idea Laura, very interesting. Eric Syke was in a sitcom with Hattie Jacques and they have both appeared in "The Carry-on" films.

He'll be the octogenarian who parachutes into a sewage ditch. Bridget covers that one. What crazy uncle?

Una's and whatsisname?

From today's Empire--variation on what we've seen, with some new quotes: Actress Renee Zellweger has been hiding out in a London publishing company to research her role for the forthcoming Bridget Jones adaptation. "I'm actually deep into it right now," said the 30 year-old actress. "I've been working on it for almost two-and-a-half months, and I've been working in London for almost two. I got a job at a publisher and I've been working as Bridget Cavendish, actually. I really enjoyed that. It was the first time I ever actually used my college degree. It's been pretty extrordinary and something I've been living with every day." The film, which goes into production on Tuesday, sees Zellweger play the eponymous career gal, whose fictitious diary (created by Helen Fielding) was originally serialised in The Independent newspaper prior to becoming a best-seller. Zellweger promised to play the character as "absolutely British", assuaging some fears that the much-loved thirtysomething would be Americanised: "I'm trying to familiarise myself with the references, and the culture, and obviously the langauge, but I feel a very strong responsibility to be sure she's as truly British as I can make her. I think what makes the line of culture more ambiguous is that she's experiencing situations that are universally challenging. In America, all women who've ever pursued a career can relate to it. I think that that's what so beautiful about that character: her experiences and how honestly written they are by Helen Fielding." Zellweger, who will next be seen alongside her boyfriend Jim Carrey in the Farrelly brother's schizophrenic comedy Me, Myself and Irene, was in Cannes with Neil LaBute's Palme D'Or contender Nurse Betty. Again in the title role, Zellweger plays a traumatised soap opera fan who heads to LA, convinced she was once engaged to the suave doctor character (played by Greg Kinnear) from her favourite programme, 'A Reason to Love.' Cannes correspondent: James Mottram

LaBute may look like a pig (to some of you) but his film In the Company of Men was absolutely brilliant, novel, incisive and wonderfully iconoclastic.. I hope Nurse Betty wins La Palme d'Or.

In the Company of Men was absolutely brilliant, novel, incisive and wonderfully iconoclastic.. I hope Nurse Betty wins La Palme d'Or. You HAVE to be a guy. I got sick watching that movie, that I had to shut it off in the first 20 minutes!!!

From Mr. Showbiz: Zellweger Packs on Pounds CANNES � Now that she's gaining weight for her role as Bridget Jones in the movie version of Bridget Jones' Diary, Ren�e Zellweger pats her already-round tummy and says, "I can't wait for the � rumors to start [that I'm pregnant]." The reason behind that potential rumor, boyfriend Jim Carrey, is nowhere in sight: He's on daughter duty back home; she's prepping for her role as the British Bridget by working in England. Zellweger was on top of the world � or at least of the Cannes Film Festival � last weekend when the blackly comic Nurse Betty world premiered, but she relates that the British press has been less than kind to a Texan snagging the plum role in Bridget. "I thought I'd walk around with a cutout of Emma Thompson [playing the first lady in Primary Colors] in this hand and Michael Caine with his Oscar [for playing an American in Cider House Rules] in this hand," she says. Zellweger moved to London in February to steep herself in all things British. Besides going incognito at a publishing house, she's become a big fan of Snickers candy bars. "I've already put on 10 pounds," she notes. "I've stopped exercising and going to the gym, and I see someone I call the 'Fat Doctor.'"

Hey, I need to see her fat doctor!!! The more I read about RZ, the more I'm thrilled to have her as BJ. I think she's gonna do a bang up job!! She's trying to get into the spirit which is inspiring! Go Renee!!!!

From CNN: Popular favorite: Zellwegger in 'Nurse Betty' Another comedy, independent U.S. director Neil LaBute's hysterical "Nurse Betty," starring Renee Zellweger and Morgan Freeman, is emerging as a popular favorite. Zellweger plays a small-town waitress who, upon the brutal murder of her pig of a husband, enters into an altered state in which the soap opera she watches each day becomes her reality. She sets off to Los Angeles to find her true love, the soap opera character Dr. Ravell. The least successful of this group of films is "O Brother, Where Art Thou," a Depression-era farce by fest veterans Joel and Ethan Coen, which is loosely based on Homer's Odyssey. The slapstick humor falls flat and the story stands on little besides a few amusing but superficial details, like one character's obsession with a brand of brilliantine he combs through his hair.

Saw Renee on AH last night--those 10 pounds really show. I hope they don't make BJ too heavy. IMO part of the character's charm was that, despite her weight loss obsession, she didn't really need to lose weight (my interpretation). Bzzzzzzzzzzzzz *swat* Rats. Missed that annoying cyberpest again!

I saw a glimpse of Renee on ET last night...didn't look chunky to me... (hey, I wish...)Good reviews of "Nurse Betty" couldn't come at a better time for BJD.But in the last analysis...US market won't care ..we're not hung-up on accents.(Michael Caine's was baaaad in "Cider House Rules"...they still gave him the Oscar.)

I thought this review in particular might persuade Karen and Laura to give Neil LaB another chance.:-) Nurse Betty Starring Ren�e Zellweger, Greg Kinnear, and Chris Rock; directed by Neil LaBute Neil LaBute didn't write his latest feature film (John C. Richards and James Flamberg did), and when we consider how tunnel-visioned both In the Company of Men and Your Friends and Neighbors were, that immediately seems a healthy and liberating thing. And so it is. But the longer one watches Nurse Betty, the more the picture seems like essential LaBute � a study in obsessiveness and solipsism, but newly informed with a nutty generosity and an openness to the possibility of other points of view in the world. Ren�e Zellweger plays a waitress in a Southwest diner who's consumed with a TV soap set in a hospital and totally smitten with its main character, Dr. David Ravell (Greg Kinnear). She's not the show's only rabid fan, but she has a better reason than most for preferring fantasy to reality. Her car-salesman husband, Del (LaBute regular Aaron Eckhart), is the male chauvinist pig of all time � and when he's bloodily offed in their kitchen for stiffing some drug dealers, Betty's reaction is bliss. Not out of cruelty. The shock has simply catapulted her straight into the alternate reality she's always yearned for. Leaving the sheriff (Pruitt Taylor Vince) and the local newshound (Crispin Glover) to clean up the mess, she gets into a Buick borrowed from Del's lot and drives to Los Angeles and a "reunion" with her fianc� "David." Little does she know that the hitmen � played by Morgan Freeman and Chris Rock � are hot on her trail. The car she's driving probably contains the missing dope. But more importantly, Freem n's senior hitman, like Lee Marvin's in The Killers, has formed an obsession of his own � with Betty as an exemplar of style and grace � much to the exasperation of his partner. Not to mince words, this is a terrific movie, with Freeman's best role and richest performance since Seven and a magical starmaking turn by Zellweger (who of course should be a star already on the strength of The Whole Wide World and Jerry Maguire). The fascination, the comedic quotient, and the illusion/reality ante are upped exponentially when Betty comes face to face with "David," his fellow soap actors, and producer (Allison Janney), and wins a shot at joining the show. They take her for a gifted, ambitious starlet on the make, whereas she's just being Nurse Betty. (And in the course of doing so, avenging her entire gender for In the Company of Men.) --Richard T. Jameson

Sounds to me like perhaps RZ is over-qualified for BJD;-)

Nurse Betty, I grant you :), sounds really interesting and the cast list is quite impressive. HOWEVER, the movies that NLB writes and directs is a direct insult to women! He uses us as pawns, then wonders why we spit in his face (well, I don't know if anyone has, but I would if given the chance and if I wasn't afraid of spitting in someone's face, BUT you get the point;)) In the Company of Men was like getting teeth pulled, it was painful. And I know men who thought that movie was exactly what needed to be told. It was painful from a woman's perspective.

(And in the course of doing so, avenging her entire gender for In the Company of Men.) That might be reason...but we shall see. BTW, that picture nailed it for me. Think about it...the first thing the guy writes... Dark comedy, satire, my ass. There was such a palpable undercurrent of meanness in it. Sorry, but that's my view and you all have yours. Shall we let it rest.

Ok, I'm new here, but the LaBute controversy is far too interesting to pass up. I'm renting In the Company of Men asap. If it's misogynist, I too would find "absolutely brilliant, novel" hard to swallow (and, therefore, may spit). I don't think LaBute's physical appearance is relevant though. Actually, BJD is funny, but not exactly progressive either. Some of us thirtysomething women have lives . . .and as much as I love Austen and think Darcy is sexy, my whole life does not revolve around longing for Prince Charming to show up, in any guise. Especially since I'm sure he doesn't exist! It's the institution of romance that makes women pawns. Well, I hope I'm not offending anyone --- I really enjoy the postings here and that's why I've logged in.

WELCOME EAG ...glad you're hitting more than CF's board. We often discuss him on other boards too..so best to hit #127 too. I don't think LaBute's physical appearance is relevant though. When you've been around a while, you'll realize that we joke around on physical attributes...never mean't to be ruthless.

From The Observer (14 May) THE STAR OF THE SEASON: RENEE ZELLWEGER Renee Zellweger had a slow start in movies but with a starring role in the Farrelly Brothers' Me, Myself & Irene, everything's going fine now. The film is a safe bet for the biggest comedy of the summer. And she's going out with her co-star Jim Carrey. But until recently people seemed to have trouble remembering who she was. First, there's her name. Agents used to tell her to change it. 'I think it's great. I mean, Schwarzenegger what's that? How are you going to complain about Zellweger?' And then there's the fact that although people sort of recognise her, they often think she's singer-songwriter turned actress Jewel. Or Chasing Amy star Joey Lauren Adams. Jerry Maguire almost changed all that, when she was chosen to play Tom Cruise's love interest in the 1996 hit. 'She's a Billy Wilder-style heroine. She cries when she could be laughing, and laughs when she could be crying,' said director Cameron Crowe. Yet it has taken her four years to make another hit movie. But with the title role in Neil LaBute's Nurse Betty coming up later in the year, followed by Bridget Jones which should be a hit if her English accent holds up the 31-year-old from Katy, Texas, seems to have it made. Not that she is too carried away. In her own assessment: 'I'm the dork that got lucky.' ~~~~~~~~~ It seems the press is determined to uncover every detail of RZ brief stint at Picador. From The Daily Telegraph: JIM Carrey's girlfriend, Renee Zellweger - the Hollywood actress who infiltrated Picador's publicity department posing as a work experience girl in order to prepare for her role as Bridget Jones - came close to blowing her cover on a couple of occasions. The colossal bunch of roses which arrived for her on her first day at work - just as she was trying hardest to be inconspicuous - didn't help. "I had to pretend they were for me," says Camilla Elworthy, a real Picador publicist

(Evelyn) I saw a glimpse of Renee on ET last night...didn't look chunky to me... When you compare her 'in person' to how she looked in the film clip, she was much fuller in the face. IMO. :-) It's terrific to read such positive RZ reviews! She's a promising actress. Evelyn's right, the accent won't matter to us here in the states. Wish they'd get off the %*&^ accent, already.

. Wish they'd get off the %*&^ accent, already. I can understand how you all feel but you have to understand that in the UK accents are important, like it or not. They are much less important now but still people are often judged by the way they speak. So in a film which is supposed to be a slice of British life, BJ's accent is not unimportant.

Ooops too many importants!!!

'Nuff said about accents. Am resigned that most BJ-related press will focus on whether Renee gets the aaahs and ooohs right, not the character. Forgive me, Allison, am feeling argumentative today--just call me you-know-who ;-)...

(Allison)...in the UK accents are important, like it or not We find that laughable in the US, Allison.....(no offense). But we are such a melting pot here tht everyone is taken as an individual. I know it all goes back to the ole public/state school education. But is the younger generaton (you know,the ones who go to films) still hung up on that?

But is the younger generaton (you know,the ones who go to films) still hung up on that? Probably not which accent she has as long as it is recognisably British. But then the success of this film will not depend on the UK audience!

(Allison) But then the success of this film will not depend on the UK audience! Bingo!! :-)

But then the success of this film will not depend on the UK audience! What "audience?" ;-)I don't believe one exists....

What "audience?" ;-)I don't believe one exists.... Well let's see.... Gladiators took $24m this last weekend. In the UK it took �3.5m or if my maths is right, $5.25m. Our population is probably less than a quarter of yours. So that sounds not too far out in proportion. And that was in a week when we were having very hot sunny weather and everybody is outside just in case it rains from tomorrow until Christmas.

I know...I know....but I want them to support Colin's films ...I don't care about ours.

I realize this has nothing to do with BJD (which I am rereading), but it did come up yesterday. (Colin) In the Company of Men was absolutely brilliant, novel, incisive and wonderfully iconoclastic.. I hope Nurse Betty wins La Palme d'Or. (Laura McCarthy) You HAVE to be a guy. I got sick watching that movie, that I had to shut it off in the first 20 minutes!!! Wow, I just watched In the Company of Men. So here are my two cents (that would be four cents, Canadian). Character Brad: misogynist, and likely a sociopath; Director Neil: cool and clinical, but not a misogynist. Howard: an average bitter guy who gets unjustly squelched by the Brads of the world. Brad-wannabe who pulls down pants in office: a surrogate Christine whose existence is some evidence that LaBute is no misogynist and that Brad is a sociopath who hates everyone equally (women, other races, corporate buddies)and enjoys doing something to show it. Christine: the least culpable person in the triangle, but not faultless. Greatest challenge for me: those first 20 minutes. Felt sick in the pit of my stomach and started to get angry. Most embarrassing self-realization: first wave of tension dissolved when it looked like Brad's "interesting twist" was real--- falling in love with Christine. Greatest reasons I admire this film: disappointed my expectations; elicited squirming; plot kept evolving and expanding its focus; scathing examination of corporate culture (I found it to be fairly accurate); those invisible father figures at the very top causing grown men to quake and obsess over reports due; those two moments of emotional intensity between Christine and Howard during the confession scenes; the deconstruction of some cherished men's myths by the end of the film. Reasons for pessimism: good-girl Christine only sleeps with men she loves (there it is again!); oh sooo familiar assumption of Howard's that if he loves a woman she has to love him back or he's been victimized somehow. (Read: every woman is any man's for the taking.) Still, I liked the murkiness surrounding Howard's decency and I empathized with his resentment over Christine falling for Brad. I've never understood women who like bastards either. Reason for Optimism: that men are examining their lives this intelligently. Lingering Questions: Was the shot of Christine crying too emotionally removed? Did the very last scene work? O.k. please call me LizG --- I go by Liz, and the G should make me distinguishable from other Lizs. I'm only Elizabeth when I obediently fill out forms which demand my real name (like signing up yesterday)or my mother is annoyed with me :)

(Liz)I've never understood women who like bastards either. GUILTY!!! There is nothing to understand, they come off as nice, sensitive, sweet; it's not until you're further in the relationship that do you realize they are bastards. To turn this into a BJ moment: Bridget's hormones were working overtime when she was flirting with Daniel. He was necessarily someone she wanted or needed, but the thrill of conquering, is what was exciting. He was also a bastard to her.

I meant to write wasn't, see shouldn't do this before going to work!

Welcome LizG! Stick around :-) (LauraMM)There is nothing to understand, they come off as nice, sensitive, sweet; it's not until you're further in the relationship that do you realize they are bastards You have it absolutely righ. You wouldn't believe how long it took me to realize this fact.

You know I think we've all been with men who aren't exactly the "one" for us. It's a learning experience, however, to be devil's advocate, some women can be just as "bastardy" as men. This is coming from a woman who was in relationship with bastard who beat her for 10 years. (self-respect gets trampled, and they destroy you emotionally. The woman (or man) doesn't see it, but the people around do. One thing also is (coming from experience) you think that no one else could possibly want to have a relationship with you, so one stays in the abusive relationship.) Self-confidence is a big part in getting away.

Laura, yours seems to have been a horrible experience. I'm glad you got out. I hope all goes right for you in the next one.

You must be an incredibly strong person Laura, to have got out. Speaking from my own experience, what I regret are the times that I waited too long to trust my gut. But I've been fortunate, no bastards. And I recognize now how lucky I was --- I was 19! Just rereading Bridget's New Year's Resolutions:". . .instead form relationships based on mature assessment of character". Considering how young many of us are when we get seriously involved for the first time, this is asking a lot. Have I whined about the institution of romance yet? If only we could accept the hormones for what they are, and not invest more in people who don't deserve it!

In Jeannie Williams column in USA Today from the opening of Woody Allen's new movie: On Sunday, he'll begin work on Bridget Jones's Diary, from the Brit best seller, starring Renee Zellweger. " We've got a brilliant script by Richard Curtis, who did Notting Hill and Four Weddings. Renee turns out to be lovely, more English than the English." Grant, as in Crooks, will play a "bahstahd again." It sounds so much nicer the way he says it : "New thing for the new millennium - bahstahds only."

(Mari) Lisa, I enjoyed your parody; I love satire, and I loath taking anything too seriously, so please do more! Nice to have you here.:-) Sorry I am so late in responding; the big M (for migraine) struck again, which delays my ability to post. Thank you, Mari (and everyone else who posted), for your positive feedback on the parody. I never know when these ideas are going to pop into my head, but if and when they do again, I will share them. These days life seems to be imitating art (more so than the other way around). Actually, I have been amusing myself with speculation about what happens to BJ after she moves to California. Perhaps BJ will write the ultimate self-help book, which becomes a best seller in the States and lands her frequent guest appearances on Oprah. Perhaps our heroine will become Colin Cowie�s assistant on his television show on the Style Network�think of the potential for disaster there. Then there�s the knock-off of Rachel Ashwell�s Shabby Chic for perpetual dieters: Chubby Chic� I am afraid I could go on and on�

As I've stated before, I've admired Neil LaBute's work in film and theater. The charge of his misogynistic viewpoint is neither novel nor unique. I think in may be unfair. Granted, if you really don't like his work, delving for sub-text and nuance isn't really warranted. However, to me the label "misogynist" doesn't really hold water. In the film "Your Friends and Neighbors" both men and women were viewed through an equally jaundiced eye. As for "The Company of Men", things like that really do happen in the world. LaBute's films are, in fact, comedies, albeit ones that cause discomfort to the audience. That is their genius. They are brilliantly dark comedies, deeply, disharmoniously funny, and keenly observed, much like the writing of Balzac. Lisa, it is just too...too...wierd and wonderful the idea of casting RuPaul in BJD. It is absolutely perfect! Of course, it probably won't happen, but that my dear is beyond high concept. As for RuPaul's looks -- hey, he looks better in a dress than I do. Then again, after having just seen "Gladiator", Russell Crowe looks better in a dress than I do. Sorry, that was a tunic. Well, it still depresses me to no end.

Ooh now, I like Oprah. Sacred Ground :-) Must not spend big Canadian May 24 weekend on Drool boards. Must do gardening and read Al Purdy poetry instead. Must talk to significant other who is looking rather cross last two days since his s.o.'s Drool initiation and loss of virtual virginity . . . Must bill clients for work done. Must DO work for clients FIRST so can bill them instead of spending time on Drool boards.

Lisa, it is just too...too...wierd and wonderful the idea of casting RuPaul in BJD I agree... it would have been better, however, to keep RuPaul's role a secret-- until the film is released. That way-- you get the "Crying Game" effect-- lots of people, who otherwise wouldn't be interested, flock to the theatres to see what all the to-do is about.

(Karen) Grant, as in Crooks, will play a "bahstahd again." Must be his word for the day. Yesterday on the Today show, Hughie said he was getting ready to start filming BJD, about a woman who falls in love with two men, "one a nice guy, the other a bastard. I play the bastard." ****** They're getting good P.R. mileage out of "Bridget Cavendish." This was in today's New York Post: FIELD WORK RENEE Zellwegger really prepped for her role in the upcoming "Bridget Jones Diary." The actress, who's engaged to Jim Carrey, spent two weeks as an intern at Macmillan books in London, which published the novel. (In the book, "Bridget" works in the press office of a publishing house for a spell.) She mailed out books, filed reviews, made coffee, checked review lists, answered the phone and made photocopies. No one at the office knew who she was, even though she called herself "Bridget" and put Carrey's picture on her desk.

one at the office knew who she was, even though she called herself "Bridget" and put Carrey's picture on her desk. LOL! Very hard to believe.

one at the office knew who she was, even though she called herself "Bridget" and putCarrey's picture on her desk. LOL! Very hard to believe. True....now if she would have put Mr. Darcy's pic on her desk....awriiight!

(CheyrlB) Lisa, it is just too...too...weird and wonderful the idea of casting RuPaul in BJD (Winter) I agree... it would have been better, however, to keep RuPaul's role a secret-- until the film is released. That way-- you get the "Crying Game" effect-- lots of people, who otherwise wouldn't be interested, flock to the theatres to see what all the to-do is about. LOL. Touch�, Winter! Am working on a BJD-esque piece. Should I post it here or at Fan Fic? Drool hosts (Doyennes of Drool), what say you? Sadly, there is little erotica involved. A favor: is there someone from the UK who would kindly help me �fact check� a few things first? If so, please send an e-mail to botanica3@aol.com.... Thanks.

This was posted at RoP. Any Pemberlian fans of BJD living in London, UK, who are eagerly awaiting the release of the film version, can catch a behind-the-scenes preview in Bedale Street (in London's Borough Market), where location filming of BJD is taking place this week. They've built a set with fake shop fronts, false railway stations, and everything... No sightings of Renee Zellweger, Colin Firth or Hugh Grant, yet ;-) Where are our London spies? ;-)

Here we go:

From The Guardian (19 May 2000): THERE AIN'T NOTHING LIKE A DAME by Shane Watson Heard the one about Renee Zellweger and the work experience? Zellweger, the unlucky actress who has landed the part of Bridget Jones in the forthcoming film (unlucky because she's a Texan playing a national treasure, so everyone has the knives out for her), recently spent a couple of weeks working undercover in the offices of Picador. Nobody recognised her, nor even suspected something rum was afoot, despite the fact that the 'dogsbody' in publicity received a ton of roses on her first day, had a picture of Jim Carrey next to her desk (her boyfriend) and, when asked to pop out and get a cake for a colleague's leaving do, came back with pounds 100 worth of handmade tarts. Now, you can take this one of several ways. First, you can marvel that a pretty girl like Renee who starred opposite Tom Cruise in Jerry Maguire, has featured prominently in magazines such as Vanity Fair and was recently filmed in flushed state when Carrey received his Academy Award [Attn: fact checker] could pass unnoticed among young metropolitans. (Surely a bit of a blow for their finger-on-the-pulse rating?) You could ponder the fate of 'work experience' in offices all over the country, most of whom are invisible to their employees until someone wants a cappuccino or a cake for a leaving do. Alternatively, you might ask yourself whatever happened to star presence if the Renee sparkle could go undetected. Fans might claim a victory for a flawless performance, but we know better: you could have put a full beard and a plastic paunch on Elizabeth Taylor, at the same stage of her career, and she'd have been kissed to death before she got past reception. Then again, perhaps the most provoking thought arising from the Zellweger Undercover Experiment is that one about no one being anyone unless you already know who they are. Put Gwyneth Paltrow in overall and hairnet, and stick her on giblets bagging, and you'd be pushed to tell the difference between her and Margi Clarke. This theory was recently put to the test at the opening party for Tate Modern. Unusually, for high-profile dos, there was no VIP area, no red rope, no escort of men with mikes and so none of the Swat team muscle flexing ('Go! Point! Go!') that attends celebrities in public. VIPs were forced to mingle, alone, among the crowd, with the result that hardly anyone noticed them. This is not, in the end, very satisfactory. It leaves everyone feeling insecure the celebs anxious about being gripped by some crazed fan or, worse, not being recognised at all; the non-celebs in a twitter of rubber-necking and misidentification. (Is it Mick? No, he's too small, it must be a jockey.) Much better to take the Donatella approach and treat everyone above the level of Neil Morrissey like The Pink Panther, section them off under close guard and spotlights, and let the other guests gawp until they've had their fill. Making like a star is three-quarters of being a star and the rest is down to genes. Madonna's recent behaviour, eating apples in the street and washing down BMWs in garage forecourts, has been the final nail in the coffin of old-fashioned celebrity mystique. The fact that she is quite happy to be seen eating at the Sanderson when everyone else is there, too, including ex-stars of EastEnders, is a sign that it is pretty much over for the dazzling, untouchable star. As a rule, it's a mistake for people we are doing our best to worship to get down off their pedestals and walk among us, not because they reveal how short, bad-skinned and inarticulate they are, but because the chances are they haven't got IT. In these star-saturated times, there are barely any with the power to take your breath away. Oodles with looks, bodies and even talent, but not good old star quality, that fire and attitude that makes it impossible to take your eyes off them. Which brings us back to Liz, who this week received from the Queen the insignia of a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire. One part violet eyes, one part 'erotic vagrancy' (an accusation once levelled at her by the Vatican), one part lust for life and diamonds and some of our attention. She was never much of an actress and she wouldn't have been seen dead doing the photocopying in the name of research. But of course she wouldn't at all have seen the point of Bridget Jones, either.

From Teletext, Part 1 of 2: A Texan Bridget Jones? By�Victor Olliver in Cannes The press conference for American director Neil LaBute's movie, Nurse Betty, gave an opportunity to meet the little known actress Renee Zellweger. Her films include Jerry Maguire and One True Thing and now she is preparing to play fictional Brit Bridget Jones. Author Helen Fielding's Jones is a 30-something loser in love, with a sharp tongue. Zellweger is pure Doris Day. Are the two compatible? Zellweger, 31, is so genuinely sweet-natured that it's hard to see how she will tackle the worldly, scabrous, disappointed Bridget Jones. The actress says: "Bridget Jones is absolutely British and I'm Texan with Swiss-Norwegian parents, but I shall be British too. "I've been working in a London publisher's for two months under the alias of Bridget Cavendish. I'm truly familiarising myself with the Brits." Fielding was aghast when she learned Texas star Renee Zellweger was cast as her British heroine. Zellweger is gracious about it: "I have not yet mastered the English accent, so I can't demonstrate how English I can be, but Bridget Jones is brilliantly written. "I certainly was surprised to be cast in the movie." So was Helena Bonham Carter who looked hot for the part but was dismissed rudely as "too cold".

Part 2 of 2: Too sweet to be sour? Zellweger has upped her profile by dating American comic actor Jim Carrey since 1999. In Nurse Betty she plays a waitress who dotes on a TV soap star. When her husband is murdered, Betty slips into fantasy mode and goes to LA to meet her idol. The movie is cleverly modelled on TV soaps in general and is very funny - an unlikely contender for the Cannes Palme d'Or. Zellweger says she started watching TV soaps again to help her research the role. She adds: "I stopped watching them at 12. I always associate them with sick days off school. The characters end up having a lobotomy, and if you miss a show, you suddenly see they're on their ninth husband." LaBute adds: "My mother was a great TV soap fan and she turned me on to them." The director's other films are Your Friends & Neighbours and In The Company Of Men. He has a comic, misanthropic vision of humanity. He says: "There's no more sex and violence in Nurse Betty than in soaps. People get connected to soap characters and forget the actors. "That's why actors are called by their characters' names in the street. Soaps are a staple of Western cultural life and I'm fascinated by that." Of his star, LaBute jokes: "We set out to get her, I was prepared to embark on a cloning process. You can't manufacture her kind of natural kindness and sweetness, which is essential to her part in the movie." Zellweger performs brilliantly in the film, but is she good enough an actress to bury the honey for the sharp tang of Bridget Jones? We shall see.