Love stories are complex. They have tons of underlying nuances and reasons that people choose to go into the world and fall in love, and even more reasons why they fall out of it. But when love hangs around past its time, it makes for stories that take this complexity to even further levels.
The idea of an affair is often shown through a negative lens, and indeed often affairs are. They are born out of a place of pain, misery, longing, and do not come to heal the wounds they hope to. This is the case with the affair in The Bridges of Madison County. It’s beautiful while it lasts, but heartbreaking when it ends, leaving a bigger wound that goes unhealed.
I think that this movie doesn’t showcase the affair between its two main characters in a way that glamorizes it, but it also doesn’t demonize it either. It’s a complicated balance to strike, to show an event from multiple sides and not let either one hold the primary focus. The movie has to walk this line though, because it wants to be honest, and also showcase the relationship in a way that is compelling to watch.
This falls on the actors more than viewers may think. We have to like these two characters and the idea of them coming together in a way that most of us would look down on. But as their relationship grows and develops we also have to see that this cannot last, but not enough that we fail to feel the heartbreak.
I think that The Bridges of Madison County does an admirable job with the first part but doesn’t fully succeed at the second. It makes the relationship too melodramatic and puts that memory in a place that makes it something we long for more than we should. The romance is a broken and lost love that hurts the idea of the affair being a memory of joy, but rather a harsh regret either because it happened, or didn’t go far enough and see a reunion in the end.
So let’s breakdown this performance.
My criteria for judging each performance is as follows:
Intentions and Choices – What was Meryl doing as a performer and did it come across in a way that was interesting and compelling?
Physicality and Vocal Choices – Was there a select set of choices for Meryl’s posture, gestures, rhythms, accents, and all other physical aspects, and did they help add to the character or distract from it?
Character Backstory – Were there choices Meryl made that showed us secrets beyond the script or screen? Did those choices add to her work or were they something that took us out of the present story.
Stand Out Moments – What scenes from the movie worked the best, or worst, and how did those reflect on Meryl’s performance?
Overall Movie Quality – How is the movie outside of Meryl’s performance? Is it a brilliant work because of her, in spite of her, or is her performance the only thing that makes the movie redeemable?
So let’s break down Francesca Johnson in The Bridges of Madison County:
Intentions and Choices – The internal conflict within Francesca is vibrant from the very beginning. The entire character is a battle and makes choices laced with great levels of indecision and regret, as well as longing for a life far different than her own. It’s got levels of melodrama, but mostly works. (9/10)
Physicality and Vocal Choices – I love the tension Streep gives this character, you can feel the reluctance in her. The Italian accent is among her better ones but it does feel out of place at times. However, this performance is a strong one overall. (8/10)
Character Backstory – The character has a deep layered backstory. It seems superfluous at times but ultimately it has elements that really do add to the character and her longing for an escape from the life she is currently living. (8/10)
Stand Out Moments – The actual argument before Streep and Eastwood eventually part is a great moment of standout acting. It’s got a lot of power and emotional depth behind it, but the ultimate result is still nothing that stands out beyond the movie itself. (7/10)
Overall Movie Quality – As I said, the movie is a bit melodramatic in its approach to the subject, playing or dramatic intention rather than pure honest humanity. It’s a good story, and its well told but it ultimately does miss the mark in places. (7/10)
Total Score 39/50
Current Ranking:
Kramer vs. Kramer
The Deer Hunter
Postcards From the Edge
Sophie’s Choice
Silkwood
The Bridges of Madison County
Ironweed
The French Lieutenant’s Woman
A Cry in the Dark
Out of Africa
I genuinely feel surprised that I’ve heard of so many of these movies but seen nearly none of them. I’m glad that I’m changing that as the years go by. Hopefully the next few movies coming up are more familiar, but even if they aren’t they’ll still be pretty good I hope. Only one way to find out for sure.
So until then, thanks for taking the time to get Ploominated.
Ploominate 