Rating: 
Summary: "THIS KIND OF CERTAINTY COMES BUT ONCE IN A LIFETIME."
Review: This movie is one of my all-time favorite romances. It begins with adult siblings looking through their deceased Mother's things where they discover a secret. They "find their way" to a letter from their Mother (Francesca played by Meryl Streep) which is the content of this movie (along with 3 journals.) Francesca's words in the letter to her children open the story. "I know it sounds awful but I couldn't wait for you all to leave. You were going to be gone until Friday. Four days--just four days." This is where the story begins, in the past. "THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY" is about these incredible life-changing four days of Francesca and Robert. The Father and children had left to enter a steer into a fair and Francesca stayed home. Not long after Francesca's family leaves, a photographer who is lost (Robert Kincaid played by Clint Eastwood) drives up to ask for directions to a covered bridge. She tries to tell him but they both get confused because the roads aren't marked. Of course if they would have been, this love story would have never have happened. The way their affair begins so innocently is part of what makes the story so compelling for me. Streep and Eastwood together are amazing; and their growing friendship and deep love that follows is magical. Both of their acting is flawless in my eyes as well as the music, script and cinematography. Eastwood is an impressive producer as well as director. It is such a wonderful story I could paraphrase the whole thing; but I won't. Just enjoy each moment of their 4 days together which go on forever in their hearts. I think the moral of "THE BRIDGES OF MADSION COUNTY" is to be grateful for every day of our lives. Life is a long-winding road full of joy and sorrow. We must survive the sorrow and truly cherish the joy while at the same time remembering that our decisions affect not only us but our loved ones as well. The ending is magnificient. As my wise Father told me once: "Live your life so that you'll have no regrets and try to accomplish that which will be best for everyone."
Rating: 
Summary: Waste of 2 Hours and 2 Good Actors
Review: I know this is a film for women, but I also know there must be some women out there who see this for what it is: overly sentimental schmaltz to the point of ridiculousness. Meryl Streep plays the Italian-American housewife Francesca and Clint Eastwood plays the free-spirited photographer Robert. Streep spends most of the film crying. I'm not joking....there are about 5 10-minute scenes with her silently in tears to the obligatory piano/violin soundtrack. Clint does his best to act like he loves her, but it's not too convincing. And the film is framed as a flashback by Francesca's son and daughter, their badly-acted soap opera subplot and their nadir personalities nauseating this reviewer. Robert tries to get Francesca to "come away with me", but, you guessed it, she has a family to consider. Their relationship borders on pathetic. One thing I know; I wouldn't want to "come away with" the emotionally unstable Francesca. Dirty Harry/Blondy does not belong in this terrible waste of film. And Sophie made the wrong Choice to lower herself to this. Then again neither of these great actors have done anything significant in the last 10 years. Another Streep film even worse than this, believe it or not, is Falling in Love with Robert Deniro with basically the same plot as Bridges. And if you want to see a great Clint (out of control) romance see Play Misty for Me.
Rating: 
Summary: Not a love story, unfortunately
Review: Beautifully filmed movie and even a bit geographically educational for those of us who grew up and lived all of our lives in coastal cities. However, "love story" and "lust story" are different things, while in this case, it is nothing more than a "lust story."
Rating:
Summary: True Romance still works well!
Review: I remember how disappointed I was when I first heard of the selection of Streep and Eastwood for the roles. After reading the book, I thought they were wrong for the characters. It turns out I was wrong! They work together remarkably well! Their romance is one of my favorites in all of film. Streep is just phenominal again! When will the AFI give her a life achievement award? Eastwood shows quite a range here and he is completely real as the photographer. Eastwood's direction is really fantastic here as the movie paints a beautiful picture. The final sequence with Streep in the truck is as good as it gets. If you don't feel her pain, I mean really empathize with her dilemma, then perhaps romantic films aren't your thing. The way that scene is filmed will stick with me for a long time. The only negative is the casting of the brother and sister looking through Streep's life. When they're in a scene it's so flat and then the movie goes back in time and the film is remarkable again. Don't be warned off because you think this one glorifies extramarital affairs. It doesn't! The woman and man do the right thing in the long run. As the old lady says in Titanic (paraphrase)...a woman's heart holds many secrets.. This secret is about a chance encounter that would help define the main characters very being... in life and in death. This one is very powerful.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: The acting in this movie was superb, particularly by the incomparable Meryl Streep. This, in my humble opinion, is what makes this movie worth seeing. The story, in and of itself, isn't new, or exciting, or innovative. But the emotions that the performers bring to their characters, the connection that they build with their audience, and the plain old fashioned romance, makes this movie a must see movie. I'm not a big fan of adultery myself, but you do get a sense of the "why" of their affair in this movie, which was very enlightening to me as a man. If you believe that romantic movies are nothing more than "chick flicks" (does anyone still use that phrase anymore?) than by all means, pass this movie up. If, on the other hand, you not only enjoy romance, but also like to broaden your intellectual horizons with regard to the meaning of love, this one's for you.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing
Review: Perhaps it is because I am currently going through a slightly similar scenario, but I always find this film utterly beautiful. Well acted with the exception of the "present day actors" who are wooden and forced. It never fails to bring me to tears. There are many among us who haven't experienced a love like the one depicted here, so it is not at all surprising to me that some find this film "slow". Maybe these viewers need to experience a bit more in their lives, then come back and write a review. It is a truly touching and deeply moving film.
Rating:
Summary: SLOWER THAN A TURTLE ...
Review: This movie will make you fall asleep as sure as a sleeping pill, if you don't take it away first from your VCR, due to anger ! It's one of the boriest thing I've ever watched. I rented it due to the cast, knowing fully well that it was a romance. But, what a deception! THe plot never flies, never gives anything fresh and new, it's always Streep with her old style of acting. And Clint... well, I prefer Dirty Harry...
Rating: 
Summary: the medium might be the message here
Review: I've read enough trash heaped on the novel that I'm definitely going to have to gather a superhuman amount of strength to form my own opinion about it. Probably never will read it actually. The movie, however, was not half so bad as many of the informed opinions implied. What we get is a so-so romance novel depicted by actors (Streep and Eastwood) who know entirely what they are about. Eastwood is not doing his normal turn here. He is showing us that he has some vulnerability to expose, after all. The tin man has a heart. Streep is Streep. I don't care if she is the lead in a Betty Boop Cartoon, she is going to make it interesting. Maybe the plot is offensive in a Southern Baptist sense of the term; the story plays on the screen. Eastwood shows a great deal of dexterity in directing this little treat. He's not pretending to be Truffaut. Just a simple narrative, told from a simple perspective.
Rating:
Summary: A True Love Story
Review: After seeing this movie, I grew a greater appreciation toward the idea of "true love". However, anyone who has experienced what Francesca went through, knows the inner-battle and confusion one faces. This movie gives a person comfort that the one you are with may or may not be the "only" one meant for you. This movie gives me hope and relief that what may happen in my life is shared by others (fictional or not). I can relate to Francesca and it helps me to rationalize some of my own decisions. I highly recommend this movie to anyone who is torn between two relationships or is lost in their own.
Rating:
Summary: the WORST MOVIE I 've ever seen
Review: very, very disappointing movie, ...!
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