Review of The Bridges of Madison County (1995) by Stuart K — 04 Sep 2011
Based upon the book by Robert James Waller, Clint Eastwood wasn't thrilled by the source material, but the idea intrigued him, and he liked screenwriter Richard LaGravenese's take on it. So, he made to be his next film after A Perfect World (1993).
It's a touching, slow-burning romance with some lovely locations. Set in Iowa in 1965, it's about housewife Francesca Johnson (Meryl Streep) who lives on a farm with husband Richard (Jim Haynie) and children Carolyn (Sarah Kathryn Schmitt) and Michael (Christopher Kroon).
When Richard takes the kids away for a few days to the Illinois State Fair, Francesca meets travelling photographer Robert Kincaid (Clint), who is in the area doing an article on the covered bridges in the area for National Geographic, Robert asks Francesca to guide him around the area, and she accepts.
This soon blossoms into an affair, which they have while Richard and the kids are away, although it only lasts 4 days, Robert stays in Francesca's mind for the rest of her life, and the truth about it doesn't come out until after she's died.
It's a good film, but it is a bit overlong, but the intentions of Clint are good, and he makes a good romantic lead to Streep's Italian war bride. It does bring out the best in it's locations, and it's photography is rich and colourful and the story is moving.
This review of The Bridges of Madison County (1995) was written by Stuart K on 04 Sep 2011.
The Bridges of Madison County has generally received very positive reviews.
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