Review of Mr. & Mrs. Bridge (1990) by Virginia F — 05 Jul 2015

James Ivory's film appeared to be bit too realistic for the audience that it was initially marketed to.

It is not a typical James Ivory film.

Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward give some of their finest work here. In many ways the film is about time as much as it is about marriage.

We follow a middle class marriage over a span of time in which each must learn how to adapt to and with the changes in culture and society. The biggest challenge is regarding their children. As time moves forward Mr. & Mrs. Bridge move forward with it. But it is never easy for either of them.

For whatever mysterious reason they love each other deeply. I use the term "mysterious" because over the course of time we glimpse into their lives, their connection to each other feels a bit shaky. I suspect the reason it feels somewhat "mysterious" is in the way film approaches it subject. There is a distance between Mr. & Mrs. Bridge, but it is familiar. And as their understanding of the world changes around them constantly, there is one constant that each of them can count on: each other. Yet it remains sadly detached -- even more sad, it feels familiar.

It remains a vibrant, beautiful, realistic and sad study of a marriage.