Bridge of Madison County - Essay Example

Bridges Over Madison County This is a story of true love in middle age. It is based on the Robert James Waller novel, The Bridges of Madison County. It happens in the summer of 1965. The character, Francesca Johnson (Meryl Streep) cares greatly for her family. Its still a relief though when her husband Richard (Jim Haynie) takes the kids off to the Illinois State Fair. Both kids have reached that difficult age, so four days all to herself are a godsend. She waves goodbye from the front porch and sits down to relax with a glass of ice tea.

Her relaxation does not last long, however, when a pick-up truck comes up. The man in the pickup is Robert Kincaid, a photographer for National Geographic (Clint Eastwood), who has come to finish an article on the local bridges. He, however, is having some difficulty finding the Rosamunde Bridge. Francesca has problems describing how to get there so she goes along to show him. They seem to become friends quickly.Francesca, during the conversation invites Kincaid back to the farmhouse for dinner.

Household meals are normally quiet and this one has lively conversation and interest. They seem to have a quick connection as they discuss their dreams. Francesco realizes though that she is attracted to this man and she has been very loyal to her husband is conflicted about the thoughts of betraying him. Francesca is in emotional turmoil as she falls in love with Kincaid but cannot betray her family or the man she is married to. While she is with Kincaid, she is a whole different person and of course as many people’s lives are sometimes changed by others, she cannot remain that way.

Kincaid is also in love with Francesca and he tries to tell her that this kind of lover only comes along once in a lifetime and please do not throw it away.The favorite scene happens when Francesco has come to town with her husband. She goes out to get in the truck. As she sits there in the rain, a pickup truck pulls up. Kincaid is in the truck. He gets out, standing in the rain looking at Francesca and Francesca looking at him. She wants to go to him but doesn’t. When her husband comes out of the store, he gets in his truck.

He pulls out and her husband pulls in behind him. He reaches in the glove compartment and pulls out her necklace and hangs it on the rearview mirror. She almost gets out of the truck to go with him but doesn’t. You are on the edge of the seat the whole time. You also know it is wrong for her to go but you want her to anyway. She doesn’t. In reality the movie tells the story of what happens when life becomes the same. When everyday, the same thing happens, especially in a relationship, two things occur.

The first is that the two people in the relationship become very comfortable with each other and understand the others needs and has a certain amount of respect for them. The second is that somewhere in the back of the mind is the wonder of whether it should be different. Is there something out there I am missing? Francesca was right to stay with her family and husband but in our souls, we all wanted her to go.