The Bridges Of Madison County – Deluxe Edition (1995)

 

Picture: C+     Sound: C+     Extras: C     Feature: C

 

 

I will admit that Clint Eastwood took a risk in making Robert James Waller’s The Bridges Of Madison County into a 1995 film, not just because of the adultery angle, but by daring to cast Meryl Streep in the female lead when it was somehow expected a young actress would be cast to maximize the showiness and box office.  This paid off when the film was a critical success, despite not doing the business expected.

 

Despite this, I was never happy with the film, despite being better than some tired, predictable packaged mess.  It just did not have much to show or say, despite the good acting and smart leisurely approach Eastwood rightly took.  Streep was also unrecognizable in some respects, pulling off scene-stealing moments.  Ultimately, it was for fans of the book and lighter than I would have liked.

 

The anamorphically enhanced 1.85 X 1 image is a little soft, but the transfer material is consistent enough and watchable.  The Dolby Digital 5.1 mix has weak surrounds, but this is a decently-recorded film and both should play back more clearly when the Blu-ray is issued.  Extras include a Music Video, trailer, making of featurette and audio commentary by Director of Photography Jack N. Green and Editor Joel Cox.

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo