The Bridges Of Madison County [1995]

Based on the famous but not all that great book by Robert James Waller- Bridges Of Madison County is a slow burning tale of a love that a small town cannot accept. But one which keeps on burning long after the principal characters have died.

Francesca Johnson (Meryl Streep) is an Italian American housewife. Her life is uneventful. She cleans, cooks and reads but wants more from life. Her passions are awakened when her husband and two children go away on a short holiday. Robert Kincaid (Clint Eastwood) an enigmatic photographer from National Geographic magazine pulls up outside her house asking for directions. From that point on Francesca discovers her desire for life and unearths feelings that she never knew she had.

The film then explores the dilemma for both characters. Over four days Francesca and Robert embark on a passionate affair. She is attracted to his lust for life and the fact that he has travelled the world. He is attracted to Francesca's worldly mind and the fact that she seems to have so much going for her beneath the fascade of household duties and her overall aim to please her family.

Still awake? Well, although the film may not sound emotionally involving- believe you me it truly is. Meryl Streep brings emotion, depth and a sense of reality to a very challenging role. Francesca has a great sense of humour which Robert uncovers. She also has an amazing sense of loyalty which is tested to the limits as the affair becomes more than a fling. Streep offers the audience a sympathetic portrayal of a woman who deserves a second chance at love. Clint Eastwood again immerses himself into the role of Robert. You are convinced of the chemistry between the two the leads and this is a testament to their awesome talents. All the more extraordinary when you realise that Eastwood directed the film also.

The sheer contrast between Iowa and the weird and wonderful places that Robert has visited are superbly evoked through the power of dialogue rather than visually. This is a film where the slightest movement from each character displays the power of body language. There is a delightful scene where Francesca is laughing at on of Robert's tales- kicking her legs in the air as she smiles. This effectively displays how isolated Francesca has felt over the years. She had clearly lost the power to laugh until now.

As the plot develops it is clear that Francesca has a choice. Does she stay in the marriage that has made her so unhappy? Or does she leave with Robert for a new life? Her home life may be unhappy but she has stability. If she leaves with Robert - he is a loose cannon who may not settle down immediately. The choice is hers. But you will find yourself very involved and half making the decision for her!

The last 15 minutes of this film are absolutely heart breaking. Years after the affair - passions are reawakened and the results leave a devasting blow for Francesca. Meryl Streep manages to make you weep in the final scenes through her silent determination not to shed any tears. When she does let go- the urge for you to follow suit is out of your control.

I have seen many movies. But never have I found one as moving as Bridges Of Madison County. It delivers a simple tale of two characters who deserve each other but because of small town attitudes and family commitments face a dilemma stronger then both of them are willing to admit.

If you fancy an emotional night in- draw the curtains, chill a bottle of wine, get plenty of chocolate and watch in awe as these two amazing actors break your heart in two with their once in a lifetime performances. You will not regret it.


This kind of certainty comes but once in a lifetime....   November 17, 2003
Jakobee (UK)
15 out of 15 found this review helpful

This, quite simply, is one of the most heart-breaking films I have ever seen. This is a film for the more mature audience (not for people with short attention spans), whether you have experienced love or not this film will touch your soul. The mix of a beautiful story and superb acting (namely Streep and Eastwood) makes this a truely powerful film that will stay with you for a very long time. You go on a journey with the characters (whom we become to know throughout the film without really realising it) on a roller coaster of emotions and afterwards the intensity of the story leaves you feeling quite drained in a hopeful sort of way (if you're like me and can't make it to the end without crying). This story has passionate love, strong friendship, morals, values and beliefs - and above all this story is about life - decisions, sacrifices and emotion. This story is perfectly told and utterly absorbing (even better than the book). In fact, the film & characters are so real that when I visited the acutal film site I felt like Francesa Johnson had really lived there and that Robert Kincaid had driven there to find her. This is a very powerful film (not for the faint hearted, childish or shallow). This film, which will touch your life if you let it, has to be one of the most powerful, real, intense and passionate love-stories of our time. If you are in love with the idea of love then this is an absolute must-see film...but be warned, it will break your heart; when Robert Kincaid stands in the rain, well, it is absolutely soul-wrenching. This romantic but real film is a true master-piece.


A Romantic Masterpiece   October 23, 2006
E. A. Redfearn (Middlesbrough)
13 out of 14 found this review helpful

It was a masterstroke to put two of the best actors around these days together in this good old fashioned romance. Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood (who also produces and directs) look so good together on screen. Of course, Meryl is made up to look a little dowdy, and perhaps Clint might look a little old for the part, but who cares? Their scenes together are so good, they make it look so natural. Meryl Streep plays Francesca a lonely and bored housewife who by chance meets Robert (Eastwood) a professional photographer who is commissioned by National Geographic Magazine to take pictures of various locations in Iowa. They develop a relationship which lasts for only four memorable days. Then, Robert moves on and Francesca is left with her memories which remain with her right until her death. The story of the romance is told through her diaries read by her grown up children who find it difficult to come to terms with the fact that their mother had been disloyal to their father. However, they come to realise that Francesca's love for Robert is one of those loves that happen to most of us during our lives, a short term love, which remains in memory. A fascinating film of human relationships. Enhanced by a superb music score, but lacking extras which is a shame. If you like good old fashioned romances, then pour yourself a drop of brandy, just sit back and enjoy.


The Acting Pulls It Together   January 8, 2003
Martin A Hogan (San Francisco, CA.)
12 out of 15 found this review helpful

If you don't know the story - Streep plays a lonely Iowa farm housewife who accidentally meets Clintwood, a photographer from National Geographic shooting pictures of bridges. They flirt, they picnic, they have fun, they have an affair. It's a fairly good adaption of the novel. Be forewarned that the story is told through flashbacks from Streeps two adult children after she passes away and they find her 'letters'. The storyline works, but when these two actors jump in, it's like amateur time. Who ARE these two actors? Leave it to our veteran actors to polish an already good story. A great mood piece and one to put romance and perspective back into your life.


Beautiful and Evocative   June 18, 2006
Marge Simpson (UK)
11 out of 11 found this review helpful

I first accidentally caught this movie on TV one afternoon a few years ago, and probably wouldn't have gone out of my way to watch it ordinarily. But watch it I did, and fell in love with the beautiful cinematography, the emotive acting and the compelling characters. It is now one of my all-time favourite movies.

Meryl Streep is absolutely perfect as Francesca, Clint Eastwood was surprisingly believable as Robert, and as another reviewer said, there is something about the bridges and the 'scent' of Iowa that draws you to want to see Madison County for yourself first-hand!

It is one of those rare movies that is far superior to the book. The novel is clumsy and leaves the reader no room for imagination. This is an excellent adaptation that goes beyond the cold, clinical sexual frustration of Robert James Waller's novel, and invites you to feel with the two main charcters and come to terms with the painful choices they have to make.