Review of The Bridges of Madison County (1995) by Troy C — 01 Aug 2012

Bridges of Madison County.

By Troy Cullison.

Ostensibly about a love affair, ``The Bridges of Madison County'' is actually about the many unpredictable faces that love presents, and the price that some of those form exact. It's romantic, sentimental and very embraceable.

The story is simple, slightly stacked, yet easy to understand and applicable in its details to many of life's generalities. Francesca is a middle-aged woman who is only too aware that her life hasn't turned out the way she used to dream it might. On an isolated Iowa farm in the late sixties, with a husband and two older teens, she dutifully goes through the role of wife and mother.

When a state fair happens to take the rest of the family out of town for four days, she relishes the chance to relax and enjoy some time alone. When chance brings a lost photographer to her door, those four days turn into something completely different. Through a combination of need, desperation and mutual attraction, the time takes both of the characters on a journey of self-discovery.

In print, it all sounds very sorted (and in the literal sense, it is), but it's also full of secret dreams and impossible circumstances; of fantasies fulfilled and realities recognized. Not all of the lines come off convincingly, but they manage to convey the meaning of the sentiment; and in our understanding, we fill in the feelings that fit.

In a sense, this story is like the romance of film itself. For a short time, we leave our separate realities behind and allow ourselves to believe in a make-believe story. While we know it isn't real, there is still a power and emotion behind it that fills longings within us- be it escapism, adventure, intrigue or romance.

The connections these two people make in the course of these four short days are both independent and supportive of reality. This is reflected in the effect that the discovery of this woman's story has upon her now grown children. As they read about this previously unknown part of their mother's life, we see how the secret has influenced their upbringing, as well as how the revealing changes their present.

Whatever your feelings regarding the circumstances of their beginnings, the strength and romantic aspects of these character's love will cause you to reflect on the beauty and influence of love within your own life.

As such, this is not a story for the young, but for those who have felt the conflict and sacrifice that love can sometimes entail. The story unfolds as leisurely as a hot summer day; creating its aura in even, measured moments. Though covering only four days, the romance proceeds slowly, step by hesitant step; with the awareness of desire and guilt always lingering painfully on the fringe. It's a delicious change from the frenetic, out of control encounters that occur in so many of today's films.

As Francesca, Meryl Streep does her incredible magic; transforming herself into the character through speech, mannerisms and intelligence. It's perhaps a little too similar to some of her other ethnic characters to classify as a stretch, but it is a solid example of the woman's phenomenal talent. Try watching this film back to back with ``The River Wild'' for a demonstration of true versatility.

Clint Eastwood (who also directed) is superb as Robert. His performance is warm, likable and more real (without self-mocking his macho image) than anything he has done to date. In doing so, Eastwood lets the realities of age come through across the screen. While possibly only second to Sean Connery in the older virile actor category, this may signal a graceful retreat from the action oriented realms of Mel Gibson and the like.

Rated PG-13 for one vulgarism and a mature theme, ``The Bridges of Madison County'' covers its theme with restraint and subtlety. Unusual in its approach of its telling, it is both an interesting piece of filmmaking and a compelling story.