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)
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3,635 ( 465)
Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 7 wins & 17 nominations. See more awards »

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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 Richard Lage ... Lawyer Peterson
Michelle Benes ... Lucy Redfield
Alison Wiegert Alison Wiegert ... Child #1
Brandon Bobst Brandon Bobst ... Child #2
Pearl Faessler Pearl Faessler ... Wife
R.E. 'Stick' Faessler R.E. 'Stick' Faessler ... Husband
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Storyline

The path of Francesca Johnson's (Meryl Streep'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 (Clint Eastwood) happens to 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 ... Written by Mark Fleetwood <mfleetwo@mail.coin.missouri.edu>

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

Certificate:

PG | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

During the argument in the kitchen,, Robert cries a little bit and turns his back to the camera, so we don't see him. When shooting the scene, Meryl Streep asked Clint Eastwood why he was filming it like that, if by doing so he was missing the opportunity to shine as an actor. Eastwood replied that the scene worked better without seeing Robert cry directly. Streep was then amazed and had praised the director's talent for thinking more about the moment, than his chance to shine as an actor. See more »

Goofs

The strap of Francesca's dress rearranges itself on her shoulder while she is dancing with Robert. Also, Robert's collar smoothes itself. See more »

Quotes

Robert Kincaid: Don't kid yourself, Francesca: you are anything but a simple woman.
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Connections

Referenced in The Beekeepers (2010) See more »

Soundtracks

Doe Eyes (Love Theme from 'The Bridges Of Madison County')
Composed by Lennie Niehaus and Clint Eastwood
Conducted by Lennie Niehaus
Piano solo performed by Michael Lang
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User Reviews

 
Meryl Streep Italian Style
29 August 2005 | by ccrivelli2005See all my reviews

Meryl Streep is absolutely astonishing. I forgot it was her ten seconds into the film. That opening breakfast scene where all of her story is written in her magnificent face. As an Italian I know there is no acting involved here. She IS Italian. She reminded me of Anna Magnani in "Bellissima" there is not a single false note. Clint Eastwood, clearly, dedicates the film to her and the results are pure magic. The film is based on an unreadable book- at least I couldn't get through it, in spite of the brevity of the volume - the film however, is bound to become a classic thanks to the powerful chemistry of the stars. If you love film,like I do, I recommend you to see it once and let yourself be taken away by the truths in Meryl's eyes then go again and take note. Look at every one of her moments, from how she closes the refrigerator door to her laughter. Look at her reaction when she discovers that Clint stopped at Bari, her home town, just because he thought the place was pretty. Look at her hands, her walk and then go back to her eyes. It's a treat of the first order. Clint, in front as well as behind the camera,does a miraculous job. I passionately recommend it, no matter how young you are.


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Details

Official Sites:

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Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 June 1995 (Canada) See more »

Also Known As:

Sur la route de Madison See more »

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Box Office

Budget:

$24,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$10,519,257, 4 June 1995

Gross USA:

$71,516,617

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$182,016,617
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Company Credits

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
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