The Bridges of Madison County (1995)

The book may be the nation's best-selling wet dream, but the movie is 
something else entirely.  Director Clint Eastwood and screenwriter John 
LaGravenese have jettisoned (most of) the fluff, leaving intact only the 
no-frills story of two people who can go nowhere together.  It's yet 
another victory for an already fine filmmaker, and a remarkable exercise 
in tastefulness, given the inherent smarm of the subject matter. 
 
Eastwood makes a surprisingly sensitive Robert Kincaid, even if the 
actor takes a while to warm up to.  Better is Streep, who makes the part 
of Francesca her own.  Looking nothing like the buffed beauty of THE 
RIVER WILD, she brings an earthy warmth to the core character of the 
story.  We'll see you at Oscar time. 
  
Grade: B+ 

Copyright 1995 by Michael J. Legeros

Originally posted to triangle.movies