Review of: The Bridges of Madison County (1995)
- Summary:
The Bridges of Madison County is a tender and beautifully crafted romance drama.
More DetailsAbout The Bridges of Madison County (1995)
A National Geographic photographer (Clint Eastwood, who also directs) arrives in Madison County, Iowa, to cover a story about the Roseman Bridge. He stops to ask directions from a bored housewife (Meryl Streep) whose family are away, and so begins a romantic love affair.
Starring: Clint Eastwood, Meryl Streep, Annie Corley, Victor Slezak, Jim Haynie
Directed by: Clint Eastwood
Runtime: 129 minutes
Studio: Warner Home Video
Review: The Bridges of Madison County
Directed by Clint Eastwood, this adaptation of Robert James Waller’s best-selling novel begins with Michael (Victor Slezak) and Carolyn (Annie Corley), siblings and children of Francesca Johnson (Meryl Streep) who has recently died and in her will has decreed that she be cremated and her ashes scattered at Roseman Covered Bridge. Michael and Carolyn are incredulous at the request but there is much more for them to discover. Going through their mother’s belongings, Michael and Carolyn find letters from a photographer named Robert Kincaid (Clint Eastwood) who had an affair with Francesca in 1965. Francesca has left three journals documenting the four days she spent with Robert and how the experience changed their lives forever.
When we see Francesca in 1965 she is a devoted housewife, mother and Italian war bride that started a new life with her husband, Richard (Jim Haynie), in Iowa on a farmhouse. At the outset, Richard is taking his two children to an Illinois State Fair and Francesca is looking forward to a few days on her own. Her tranquility is disturbed by the arrival of Robert Kincaid, a photographer from National Geographic who has come to take pictures of some of the bridges in Madison County. Francesca attempts to explain how to get to Roseman Covered Bridge puzzle Robert so she accompanies him there. From this early encounter Robert and Francesca exchange many tales of their lives and over the four days they spend together, they begin an affair that touches them both deeply, so much so that on the final day Robert wants Francesca to start a new life with him even if it means leaving her family.
I was worried this might be just a soppy romance but it is anything but. Eastwood directs a fascinating story of two lost souls. Francesca loves her family but the dreams of her youth remain unfulfilled and her husband is content for her to remain in the kitchen rather than experience the outside world. Robert travels the world as a photographer, has a failed marriage behind him, and can never set his roots in one place, preferring to be a free spirit. When he meets Francesca that all changes and in her he finds the one woman he truly wants but for them to be together is to force her to make a big sacrifice. Though tears inevitably flow at the end this is a well-crafted and emotional drama, gently building the tension and mutual attraction between Robert and Francesca through subtle glances and light contact until they can hold back no longer. Eastwood makes for a charming and courteous leading man but the Oscar-nominated Streep is superb as the fragile Francesca who is forced into a dilemma of which there is no happy solution. The wonderful acting aside, the scenery isnt too bad either.
The Bridges of Madison County is a tender and beautifully crafted romance drama. It puts two of Hollywood’s finest together and delivers excellent performances, especially from Streep, while Eastwood’s first rate direction ensures this doesn’t descend down the path of emotional corniness and melodrama. Utterly delightful from start to finish.
Verdict: 5/5
(Film source: reviewer’s own copy)
About the Author:
I was born in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, England and have always been a bookworm and enjoyed creative writing at school. In 1999 I created the Elencheran Chronicles and have been writing ever since. My first novel, Fezariu's Epiphany, was published in May 2011. When not writing I'm a lover of films, games, books and blogging. I now live in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, with my wife, Donna, and our six cats - Kain, Razz, Buggles, Charlie, Bilbo and Frodo.
David M. Brown – who has written 721 posts on Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave.
