The Bridges of Madison County (1995)

Photographer Robert Kincaid wanders into the life of housewife Francesca Johnson, for four days in the 1960s.

Director:

Clint Eastwood

Writers:

Richard LaGravenese (screenplay), Robert James Waller (novel)

Stars:

Clint Eastwood, Meryl Streep, Annie Corley

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 6 wins & 15 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Clint Eastwood	...	Robert Kincaid
Meryl Streep	...	Francesca Johnson
Annie Corley	...	Carolyn Johnson
Victor Slezak	...	Michael Johnson
Jim Haynie	...	Richard Johnson
Sarah Zahn	...	Young Carolyn (as Sarah Kathryn Schmitt)
Christopher Kroon	...	Young Michael
Phyllis Lyons	...	Betty
Debra Monk	...	Madge
Richard Lage	...	Lawyer Peterson
Michelle Benes	...	Lucy Redfield
Alison Wiegert	...	Child #1
Brandon Bobst	...	Child #2
Pearl Faessler	...	Wife
R.E. 'Stick' Faessler	...	Husband

Storyline

The path of Francesca Johnson's future seems destined when an unexpected fork in the road causes her to question everything she had come to expect from life. While her husband and children are away at the Illinois state fair in the summer of 1965, Robert Kincaid happens turn into the Johnson farm and asks Francesca for directions to Roseman Bridge. Francesca later learns that he was in Iowa on assignment from National Geographic magazine. She is reluctant seeing that he's a complete stranger and then she agrees to show him to the bridges and gradually she talks about her life from being a war-bride from Italy which sets the pace for this bittersweet and all-too-brief romance of her life. Through the pain of separation from her secret love and the stark isolation she feels as the details of her life consume her, she writes her thoughts of the four-day love affair which took up three journals. The journals are found by her children after the lawyer was going over Francesca's will and ...

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Plot Keywords:

bridge | love | farm | photographer | housewife | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 on appeal for some sexuality and brief strong language

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 June 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Bridges of Madison County

Filming Locations:

W Green St & John Wayne Dr, Winterset, Iowa, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$24,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$71,516,617

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$182,016,617

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros., Amblin Entertainment, Malpaso Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

135 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Even though she wasn't a part of those scenes, Meryl Streep went to the set to meet Annie Corley and Victor Slezak, who played her kids when they are adults. They both said that the meeting helped them to portray the memory of Francesca as a character better.

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Goofs

Early on, when Francesca is riding with Robert in his pickup and is helping him get to the covered bridge he can't find, they pass a tractor pulling an implement. Played in slow-motion, the implement is a big round baler which wasn't invented until the early 1970's. Also, the John Deere tractor that is pulling it has decals on the hood with Doppler-type striping. This design wasn't used on their tractors until around 1980.

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Quotes

Robert Kincaid: I don't want to need you, 'cause I can't have you.

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Connections

Referenced in The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Charlie Sheen/Joy Behar/Neon Trees (2014)

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Soundtracks

It Was Almost Like A Song
Written by Hal David and Archie Jordan
Performed by Johnny Hartman
Courtesy of Bee Hive Records

User Reviews

Never give up hoping for something better

I've watched this movie yesterday evening and it had a great effect on me.In my opinion this movie is outstanding because it reflects an average life,which is then becoming a really extraordinary one,representing that everyone's life can change from one moment to the other.And I think this meaning tells something to everyone,because everyone has dreams that seem that one can't fulfill,but this story says the opposite,so that at any time can come an opportunity that you have to recognize and be brave enough not to release.Another thing is that you may have to live your whole life in only four days and you have to be able to live it so that after it you can say that you had a really wonderful life. My favorite part of the movie was when Robert was leaving and the two cars were staying at the lamps one behind the other...it was a very touching scene,I think. So to draw the conclusion:I can recommend to everyone to watch the movie THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY because after watching it you're getting an other state of mind,a better one,that doesn't allows you to give up hoping for a better life...