THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY
A film review by Sharon Connolly
Copyright 1995 Sharon Connolly
Not having read the book, I cannot comment on its transfer to the big screen, but THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY is certainly a film worth seeing, if not just for Meryl Streep's mesmerizing performance alone. True, the film has its flaws like poor character development of Robert Kincaid but the essential theme is relative to most anyone especially those of us who have taken marital vows. Yes, it's possible to fall in love again, feel young again and experience that sexual huner and yearning no matter how old we are.
Someone mentioned having a problem believing this frumpy housewife could begin lusting after this world-traveled photographer. Well, I'm 51 years old and I'm sure I'm regarded as a frumpy housewife and yet, what I felt at 20 has not disappeared. Why do some people think only the young and beautiful have cornered this market on sex? We saw this happen to another ordinary English housewife in BRIEF ENCOUNTER. In fact, the more ordinary the woman, the more meaningful the story.
I will admit it's much more a woman's film. The emotional content is highly volatile and will perhaps provoke some sentimental and sad memories as well as some happy ones. How many of us go through life feeling we could have had more? There are always an infinite number of "if only's" in our lives.
Meryl Streep certainly became Francesca to her audience over the 135 minutes we watched her. Her accent was superb - as usual. (Remember OUT OF AFRICA?) Even her physical appearance seemed changed. Yes, Meryl carried the film. She was well directed by Clint but I agree with many others that he didn't fit the role. He could have more easily played the quiet and laid back husband. Don't we know Clint as a man of few words? I envisioned someone with a really sexy voice and it was ironic that someone mentioned Sam Elliot though I prefer the likes of Peter Coyote. Now there's a man you could think about bathing with by candlelight!!
Most men will probably find this film very dull, much too long and not too relevant. Women, however, love romanticism and never seem to get enough and never lose their yearning for it no matter how realized it is in their own lives. If you feel unfulfilled, you'll leave the theater feeling a little better in the way you related to Francesca or if you're like me and was fortunate in finding a "soulmate" in a husband, then you'll feel really blessed. (But I'm still going to dream and yearn)
From: Mrs. C.
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