ElMaruecan82
When an Italian girl falls in love with an American GI, she doesn't exactly picture the America of her dreams as a farm in Iowa. Yet Francesca has been a dedicated wife and mother for twenty years, as commitment meant something to those who bore the baby boom generation. But it didn't make their generation, nor any generation since the dawn of humanity, immune to a heated and passionate romance... especially when the mysterious stranger who knocks at your door is Clint Eastwood?Screenwriter Richard LaGravenese credited the actor-director for giving him the right advice when it came to adapt Robert James Waller's best-seller "The Bridges of Madison County". When a book is that popular, no need for extra plot elements that might alienate your potential audience without drawing a new one. Eastwood's point was that the story of a four-day romance between a housewife from Iowa and a free-spirited photographer was speaking for itself already, all a script had to do was keeping the material mature, and well... romantic.And Eastwood applied his own advice behind the camera. Not that he ever indulged to fancy directing or editing but he didn't let any artistic license deviate the story from the original romance. Indeed, "The Bridges of Madison County" is about two adults, not bad persons, surrendering to the impulsiveness of a moment, not out of foolishness but precisely because only people their age are aware that destiny can sneak at anytime, and that unpredictable episodes are to be seized, no matter how brief the encounter. Doesn't that ring a bell? Eastwood intended to make an old-fashioned romance, it turned out to be the spiritual successor of David Lean's 1945 classic, the film LaGravenese saw after being advised to tone down his enthusiasm. And "Brief Encounter" was great because it ended with the right bittersweet tone. The husband understood that his wife was 'away' for awhile and wherever she went, he was glad she was back to him. It was the film's emotional peak, showing that marriage isn't an existential dead-end. Adultery can say a lot about marriage and responsibility, and sacrificing one's passion might be the price to pay for a memory you'll treasure for the rest of your life. And like the train station in "Encounter", bridges play the role of the connecting place. Robert Kincaid came to Iowa to shoot one of these picturesque bridges that could belong to a Southern postcard or a Mark Twain illustration. The city dweller and globe trotter loves the breath of Iowa and the charm of the landscape but Francesca didn't really pay attention until she walked across the bridge, which felt like a first time, as if there was indeed something new in the air. And Streep, like Eastwood, can say so much without speaking, the way she moves, walks and peeps into Robert say enough. And the way the romance slowly takes form is like a sparkle stirring up until it becomes a bonfire of emotions, and the performances of the two actors are integral to the romance's believability. Clint Eastwood plays it in a understated tone that hardly hides his vulnerability during some pivotal moments. When Francesca asks him for a tea, then a dinner, there's something in his "yes" that says "I'm glad you asked". And then you have Meryl Streep, in her first Oscar-nominated performance after five years (the longest she ever waited). She doesn't play the frustrated housewife, she's not even shy or ugly by movie standards. In the opening dinner scene, you can read in her saddened expression how estranged she had become to her own family, but she later warns her husband not to smoke and gently pats his cheek, she's a touchstone in her family. And it was the right touch not to depict the husband (Jim Haynie) as an abusive or bad man, you can make 'good adultery' without relying on a 'bad marriage.' That's a truth of life.Another truth, albeit less existential is that there's also a lot of smoking and drinking in the film, I guess a man always takes it as a good sign where a woman loosens up with him... but this isn't about sex, it's about creating the kind of atmosphere where Francesca and Robert can relax and be themselves. At one moment, Robert tells a funny story and it's less the story that matters but her body language, the spontaneous yet sensual way she lifts her legs, her childish excitement that makes her irresistible to the point of sexiness. She gets even more beautiful as days and nights go by, reaching their pinnacle in the last night before the departure, unlike "Brief Encounter", they have their moment and it's shown with enough lighting to make it erotic. Then comes the bitter 'morning after', a powerful argument and a choice to be made. For all the talk about love and life, the film manages to say more in quieter moments such as Eastwood staring at Francesca under the rain. Earlier, he was that dashing man with long white hair and a vigorous torso shining under the sun, then he looked almost bald with the eyes of a kicked puppy. And you have the climactic shot of Francesca's hand on the car's handle... will she decide to join his car or stay with his husband? The book was a wide success because of its polarizing dilemma. It's not about satisfying one audience in particular but making everyone understand either choice. As it's said in the film, "we're all the choices we've made" and there will always come a moment for regrets, apologies and forgiveness, even the husband has such a moment. And although their 180° turn isn't as smooth and believable as the main story, Francesca's children embrace their lives with the spirit of that four-day but life-changing romance, one that says a lot about life, choices and commitment. After all, what good romance doesn't?
cleesolnick
I surely hope that the responses to this movie is NOT a true representation of the thinking and devotion of that of our generation. I could only hope & pray that we are a better nation of true love and devotion. I certainly understand that we are human, just like Adam & Eve. But why do we spend the effort, time, energy and money to beautify our weaknesses?
In my opinion, it is a movie that tries to justify and beautify our lust. It seems to be Eastwood's cup of tea. What will happen if we, the audience and actors as well in general, will glorify these creations and allow it to grow in volume and in the much cheaper and lustful way..
David del Real
Note: Most of my reviews contain some spoilers, but I always try that none of them can actually "spoil" any important surprise during the story, so you can read without worrying.First of all I need to clarify mi title a little, when I say "that builds up slow" I don't mean like saying "even when it begins boring" or anything alike. The whole movie is completely enjoyable. What I mean by this, is that the creators took the time to introduce the characters to us without hurry, which helps us to become more involved with them later.IMDb suggests to its reviewers to compare titles with similar ones. In this aspect I want to say that I think (as many persons do) that this is one of the best romantic dramas of all time. I want to say too that it is both my favorite Meryl Streep and my favorite Clint Eastwood movie so far. IMDb also suggest reviewers to recommend similar titles to their readers; in that sense my second favorite Meryl Streep movie is "Kramer vs Kramer" and my second favorite Clint Eastwood movie is "Gran Torino" and I am not sure if the third one is "Million Dollar Baby" or "The Unforgiven". Sorry, I still have no idea about which is my third favorite Meryl Streep movie, too many movies too different from each other to choose from.OK, about THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY. Maybe its beauty comes from making an extraordinary love story happen to "almost" ordinary people. He is a photographer for National Geographic and she is and Italian immigrant born in Bari that lives in the county of Madison, in Iowa, USA. She is home alone while her family is away and he happens to arrive to her town to take pictures of the great bridges and landscapes. The story is actually told by the sons of Francesca (the Meryl Streep's character) when they find a letter let for them by her telling them their story. Its a narrative arc that makes you wonder how much people maybe YOU have met in life without really knowing them and their motivations for living. At the moment of making this review, The bridges of Madison County is not included in the IMDb top 100 greatest movies of all time but I really believe it deserves a place there.Thanks for reading.IMDb Review by David del Real. Ciudad de México, México. September 2017.
