Bridges of Madison County: Best Selling Book and Award Winning Movie
Roseman Bridge, Madison County, Iowa scene of some of the movie of Bridges of Madison County
How Do You Rate this Movie?
Much Acclaimed Book and Movie
The book Bridges of Madison County by Robert James Waller appeared on the New York Times best-seller list in 1992 and spent 3 years on the prestigious list to mixed reviews. It is recognized as one of the best selling books of all time and is the basis of a 1995 movie by the same name.
It stands to reason that a movie based on a book with those credentials would stand on laurels of its own, especially with performers the caliber of Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood in the starring roles. Eastwood, who not only performed in the movie but also served as Director and Producer, received numerous accolades. Streep was nominated for the 1995 Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role. However, the award went to actress Susan Sarandon for her performance in Dead Man Walking.
The movie was highly successful and grossed over $182 million worldwide.
Robert Kincaid
Clint Eastwood as Robert Kincaid in the movie Bridges of Madison County
Francesca Johnson
Meryl Streep as Francesca Johnson in the movie Bridges of Madison County
Synopsis
The story begins with the recent death of Francesca Johnson, an Iowa farmwife and mother of two adult children. Francesca's will includes a strange request of her children. Her final wishes are to have her remains cremated and her ashes scattered over the water under the Roseman covered bridge. Her children are puzzled until they discover a letter, some photos and Francesca's diary. They learn of a long ago love affair between their mother and a National Geographic photographer who spent 4 days in their town in 1965 while photographing the covered bridges of Madison county.
The movie then takes us back in time to the day Francesca's husband, Richard, left home with their two children to attend the Iowa State Fair. As Francesca was settling into her new found solitude, a truck pulled into her farmhouse yard driven by a man asking for directions to the Roseman bridge. This intrusion would forever change the lives of Francesca Johnson and Robert Kincaid.
Robert and Francesca, the main characters of the movie Bridges of Madison County
Robert and Francesca Fall in Love
Over the course of the next few days, Robert and Francesca fall in love. The scenes leading up to the realization that they love each other are memorable. The chemistry between the two is evident in such simple ways such as when they clean vegetables together at the kitchen sink and how she gently straightens the collar of his shirt.
The photographer and the simple housewife dance together in the kitchen to soft jazz music without saying a word. The couple, as well as the audience, feel the anticipation of the passion that is yet to come.
The moments of silence between the two speak volumes. It allows the audience to read into Robert and Francesca's thoughts what they perceive them to be thinking. The woman who has experienced a straightforward and sheltered life on a farm is suddenly involved with a man who has been around the world and known many women.
The unhurried pace of these scenes and the subtle nuances draw the audience in and gives them time to understand the couple's blossoming feelings for each other. In a scene at Roseman bridge, Robert is taking pictures of the bridge, when he suddenly turns the camera and his attention to Francesca. The beautiful soft theme music begins to play and the two of them, as well as the viewers, know at that precise moment they are in love.
A TV Guide film reviewer criticized these romantic scenes by saying, "Little happens here apart from a long, slow buildup to sentimentalized coitus." Obviously, the millions of people who purchased the book and watched the movie did not agree with the critical reviews of the slow build up to a beautiful love story.
Her Decision
At the end of their four days together, it was time for Francesca to make a decision that would affect not only the two of them but her children and husband for the rest of their lives. The audience was hoping for her to hop in Robert's old truck and take off with him to parts unknown. However, she put her own feelings and desires aside and made the choice she felt was best for her family.
It was clear Robert knew her decision and would abide by it. While standing in the rain looking at her, he relayed that thought to Francesca with just a simple, slight nod of his head. They both understood.
As Robert's truck turned the corner to leave her and Madison county behind, it appeared she would run after him. But that was not to be. She let him go and they would never see each other again. However, they would remain in each other's hearts forever.
Most Memorable Quote from Bridges of Madison County
This kind of certainty comes but just once in a lifetime.
— Robert Kincaid to Francesca
Memorable Moments in the Movie Bridges of Madison County
The Book and Movie Promoted Iowa Tourism
Tourism has become a major industry in Madison County, Iowa since it gained fame through the book and movie. Tours are available for many of the movie landmarks. Unfortunately, the farmhouse used to film Francesca's home suffered a fire due to arson and has been closed to tours.
Roseman bridge is one of six remaining covered bridges of the original nineteen in Madison county. It was built in 1883 and is rumored to be haunted. Tourists enjoy being photographed by the bridge, just like Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood.
The bridges aren't the only claim to fame for Madison county. The town of Winterset, located in the county, was the birthplace of the late John Wayne, a popular American actor. More information is available at the birthplace website.
Robert Waller Resembles Robert Kincaid
Do you see a resemblance between Robert Waller, author of the book Bridges of Madison County and Robert Kincaid, the main character?
Author of Bridges of Madison County
Robert James Waller (1939 - 2017) was the author of the book which he wrote in an amazing short time span of 11 days.
Waller was an Iowa native who enjoyed photography and was a musician. He always maintained the book and the characters were fictional. However, the true to life settings where the movie was filmed and the similarities between Waller and the character of Robert Kincaid (both photographers and musicians) are obvious. They both shared the first name, Robert, and some have said there is a resemblance in their appearance as shown in the picture here of Waller wearing suspenders like Kincaid's. It makes you wonder if there may have been, in the author's memories, a real Iowa farm wife named Francesca.
Epilogue to Bridges of Madison County Tells the Rest of the Story
In 2002, Robert James Waller wrote another book called, A Thousand Country Roads. It is an epilogue to Bridges of Madison County and is said to be "the rest of the story".
Newscast on Iowa TV Station about the Filming of the Movie
© 2013 Thelma Raker Coffone
Please Share Your Comments About the "Bridges of Madison County"
Thelma Raker Coffone (author) from Blue Ridge Mountains, USA on October 04, 2014:
Mary I cried too during this beautiful movie. Thanks for reading my article and for your wonderful comments.
Mary Lugo on October 04, 2014:
Real love so heartbreaking I cried a lot for Francsesca, she had no choice but to do what she did she adored him but could not leave the children and her good and decent husband. Her heart was broken, and he loved her too. Such is life. I hope her kids understood, what she was telling them.
Thelma Raker Coffone (author) from Blue Ridge Mountains, USA on May 29, 2014:
Homeplace Series thanks to you my Iowa friend for reading my article and for your comments!
William Leverne Smith from Hollister, MO on May 29, 2014:
Being an Iowa farm boy to my core, this story meant a lot to me. Thanks for sharing your impressions! ;-)
April Dawn Meyer from Belle Fourche, South Dakota on July 01, 2013:
Nice hub :) I love that story. I have seen the movie but haven't read the book. It will be going on my, "Books to read" list. Thanks for sharing :)
Thelma Raker Coffone (author) from Blue Ridge Mountains, USA on May 14, 2013:
lindacee thanks for reading my hub and for your comments. When you see the movie again, notice when Francesca and Robert are at the bridge and the theme music starts to play very gently. I think you will agree with me at that moment there is no doubt they are in love!
Linda Chechar from Arizona on May 14, 2013:
I loved the movie and haven't seen it in years. I remember I cried like a baby at the end. I have not read the book (will put that on my ever-growing to-do list!) but think I should definitely watch the movie again. I also did not know there was an epilogue to the book. Now I know I'll have to read that one. :)
Thelma Raker Coffone (author) from Blue Ridge Mountains, USA on May 06, 2013:
mperrottet I loved the book and movie also. Thanks for your nice compliments!
Margaret Perrottet from San Antonio, FL on May 06, 2013:
I loved the book and the movie. I had no idea that there was a follow up book, and I'll have to read it. This is a great review with interesting facts - voted up and interesting.
