Review of The Bridges of Madison County (1995) by Peter A — 14 Jan 2010

Perfection in a movie is hard to quantify, but this as close as it gets. Clint Eastwood directs, acts and even scores the music in this slow-burning love story that concerns four days in the lives of two people in mid-sixties Iowa. As a director he takes his time, seemingly happy to gift the major part of the film to his co-star, Meryl Streep. This is not to say his impact should be downplayed as it is considerable. The film meanders gently and lazily at a stream's pace for close on two hours before a bitter-sweet ending played out in driving rain. This scene is entitled to rank with the great movie moments of all time and worth the wait. Bridges Of Madison County is a film to enjoy on all levels. The interaction between Eastwood and Streep - often apparently spontanteous - is a delight.

As an aside, back in 1971 after his directorial debut in Play Misty For Me, the renowned film critic of the London Sunday Times, Dilys Powell, commented that Clint Eastwood was destined to become a Hollywood legend. This was a brave shout to make about an actor that had hitherto made an impact in dusty Westerns, played the tough guy in Where Eagles Dare and invited punks to make his day. How right Dilys was, and how proud she would have been to see her champion produce such a momentous piece of work - largely crafted from little material. Unfortunately, Dilys Powell died in 1995, aged 93, the year 'Bridges' was released. Whether she had the opportunity to see Clint Eastwood's masterpiece is not known and has to be considered doubtful.