Sometimes, the best moments of your life are the briefest ones.
It takes just four days for Francesca (Meryl Streep), a bored housewife in the sleepy town of Iowa to discover that 'this kind of certainty comes but once in a lifetime.'
True love comes to her unsuspectingly in the form of Robert Kincaid (Clint Eastwood), a nomadic National Geographic photographer.
In the cinematic adaptation of Robert James Waller's adored novel, The Bridges Of Madison County, romance unfolds through a set of three journals left behind by Francesca for her children (Annie Corley, Victor Slezak), now in their mid-forties, to know the truth and their mother better.
The first few minutes of the flashback establish Francesca's committed devotion to her family. Her farmer hubby, Richard (Jim Haynie) is a good guy but limited in his imagination, dreams and passion. Their teenaged kids -- Carolyn and Michael are far too occupied with their own lives to appreciate or converse with their mother.
Her existence is reduced to domestic chores and looking after the needs of her family, while her own are ignored. Lonelier by the day, Francesca is dreadfully devoid of spirit. Her possibilities and desires as a woman remain untested. That she could be more than just what she is. That she could feel what she never knew.
Until her family leaves for the Illinois State Fair for four days. And Robert happens.
Robert comes to Iowa to shoot the bridges of Madison County. He cannot figure out directions to the Roseman Bridge. Francesca volunteers to help. Their first encounter is realistically awkward. Robert appears suitably lost. Francesca is a mix of nerves and excitement. He plucks her wild flowers. She invites him for ice tea. And then dinner, followed by a walk quoting William Butler Yeats, a coffee and some brandy. And next day's supper, followed by intimate dancing and more.
Throughout all these excuses to stay together, the two discover they share a formidable connection. For Francesca, Robert is a fascinating picture of being carefree and adventurous. Though he may roam about the world, he is no brooding gypsy. A connoisseur of wonderful anecdotes, he has answers to all questions and is perfectly content in his travelling shoes. He also makes Francesca
realise she is no 'simple woman'. ('I was acting like another woman, yet I was more myself than ever before.')
At the end of the fourth day, she has a life-altering choice to make. To follow her conscience or be tempted by her dreams. But in her heart she holds on to both -- love and duty.
Technically, though, our middle-aged heroine indulges in adultery, the desperation of her suppressed longings is scooped out so elegantly that it only justifies her actions in the eyes of the viewer, perhaps even make them feel sorry for her. All credit goes to Meryl Streep for expressing the complexity of her Italian-accented character so beautifully. She sails into the unknown with Francesca, experiencing emotional territories with the grace of a woman and the artistry of an actress.
Till this movie came along, one could always count on Clint Eastwood to portray toughness and style. That he could be so gentle, charming and sweep a woman off her feet was a refreshing discovery. As an actor, he added further dimensions to his versatility. But as a filmmaker too, Eastwood shone out brilliantly. Without clinging too much to the excessive sentimentality of Waller's novel, Eastwood -- with the exceptional assistance of Richard LaGravenese's screenplay -- made the two protagonists genuine and identifiable.
His craftsmanship is at work as he translates undercurrents of sexual tension between Robert and Francesca in subtle proximity. In any love story, the physical togetherness is of noteworthy consequence. Here, the lovemaking isn't of a dramatic temperament. It is conducted with mature warmth and sensual poise.
Jack N Green's gorgeous vision seamlessly captures Iowa's embracing greenery and striking bridges. His use of velvety lighting to project the tenderness of this romance is equally appeasing.
The story works on many levels. To some extent, it is about a woman's emancipation. It is about a man who recognises love very late in life and wants it for good. It is also about how children often forget to be grateful for all the sacrifices parents make.
The DVD of this 1995 romance doesn't offer much extras, except for production notes and availability in two languages -- English and French. It also includes subtitles in English, French and Spanish.
The Bridges Of Madison County is a timeless tale of love: 'Love which obeys no expectations' and whose 'mystery is so pure and absolute.'
