The Bridges Of Madison County [DVD] [1995]

Loved this film . Love Clint Eastwood. True chemistry

It was a masterstroke to put two of the best actors around these days together in this good old fashioned romance. Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood (who also produces and directs) look so good together on screen. Of course, Meryl is made up to look a little dowdy, and perhaps Clint might look a little old for the part, but who cares? Their scenes together are so good, they make it look so natural. Meryl Streep plays Francesca a lonely and bored housewife who by chance meets Robert (Eastwood) a professional photographer who is commissioned by National Geographic Magazine to take pictures of various locations in Iowa. They develop a relationship which lasts for only four memorable days. Then, Robert moves on and Francesca is left with her memories which remain with her right until her death. The story of the romance is told through her diaries read by her grown up children who find it difficult to come to terms with the fact that their mother had been disloyal to their father. However, they come to realise that Francesca's love for Robert is one of those loves that happen to most of us during our lives, a short term love, which remains in memory. A fascinating film of human relationships. Enhanced by a superb music score, but lacking extras which is a shame. If you like good old fashioned romances, then pour yourself a drop of brandy, just sit back and enjoy.

This is an astoundingly good film, a love story to rival any and surpass most.The setting is the awe-inspiring but remote farm country of Iowa in the early sixties (although the film starts thirty years later and regularly skips forward in time throughout) and tells of the romance and love that develops between two mature people after a chance meeting.It is beautiful in so many ways; the majestic and evocative settings, the wonderful harnessing of colour and light, but most of all the passionate love story that is the heart of this film. Clint Eastwood is truly an accomplished director and producer of films now as well as a very fine actor. But the shining star in terms of performance is the superb Meryl Streep. Yet again she delivers an exhibition that is singularly brilliant; surely she is one of the great actresses of our (if not all) time?The pace of the film is respectfully slow but manages to grip and enthral you from beginning to end; in fact you never want this film to end! A true love story told with rare beauty, and one I'm sure I will watch again and again.

I had never wanted to watch this film when it first came out, even when it was released on dvd I could not be bothered. Then recently a Friend told me about it and suggested I had to watch it, so hence my purchase and my God I should have seen this film and read the book long ago. This film, without doubt, is one of the most beautifully touching you will ever see. Meryl Streep/Clint Eastwood give their best performances, you cry with them and you just long for that perfect ending, you travel with them all the time. The music is, as always, in a Clint Eastwood film one you want to continue for a long time. Have the tissues ready because there will be plenty of tears. Just annoyed with myself it took me until now to see this film, thanks Bev. If you have any romance in you and still dream of better times (no matter how old you are), then you have to buy this.

I have not read the book so the film is my experience of this story. It is sad and you feel the direction in which the story will go almost from the start. Francesca is a dutiful wife and mother so basically you know which decision she will make when the time comes. The photography is beautiful, the characters complex and refined and the climactic scene where Eastwood delays pulling away from the green light while Francesca sits in the car behind with her husband with her hand on the door handle is a shattering emotional moment in cinema...The film is long and needs editing in the middle - the film combines 'past and present' to tell the story and I found the 'in the present' scenes between Francesca's adult son and daughter boring and uninteresting, who cares about them it's Francesca's destiny we want to know about! frankly seeing how unlikable her children - for who she made such a sacrifice - turn out to be you wonder if she ever regretted not getting out of the car.....

Lovley film about two people who found each other but couldn't stay togetherWould recommend to family and friends

Not watched DVD yet but sure it is fine.

Is there a film you'd like to see? I asked my 95yr old Mum during lockdown. 'Oh I wish they'd put Bridges of Madison County on again one day' she said. No need, this was with me a couple of days later....and yes we both cried...why didn't she jump in the van and go with him ? we both said. Some films are really worth owning for ever.