When this picture popped up in my Instagram feed, I was nostalgically reminded of The Bridges of Madison County, a beautiful love story that starred two of my favorite actors.
It has been a while since I watched a really good romantic movie that captured what I considered to be my idea of love — real, complex and raw, and without embellishments.
These few years, we seemed to be so caught up with action, superheroes, and movies that push technology to a new frontier that I find myself thirsty for something with less pizzazz. Something that sets my heart fluttering not because of a good-looking male lead decked out in Tom Ford but because of “the way he looked at her”. The reason why I was so drawn to the chemistry between Meryl and Clint was because there were no fancy backdrops, no branded wardrobe, no latest make-up trends to distract. The focus was on the performance and every nuance of emotion was felt through the screen because of the way it was shot and edited. A forbidden love story, anchored by two very good actors and presented by a director who knew how to tell a story.
Such is becoming a rarity. Telling a good story seemed to have taken a backseat now with the focus shifted on how to create impact. The emotional core of characters are often neglected, like how it was in the last movie I watched — Jurassic World. The story premise was weak and the romantic/sibling love just didn’t feel real. But one could argue that people were there to see dinosaurs, not watch a love story.
I want to make a movie like The Bridges of Madison County. Even though it probably isn’t as cool as Ant Man, and even though I may be the only one who will watch such a movie or follow a drama that has real emotional stakes, I still think it’s something mankind needs. Sure, we need to be inspired by new trends but more importantly we need emotional fuel to keep us grounded.
A Jolly Affair 
Hi Joanne… Welcome to the blog 🙂
I didn’t think so much about watching a movie until you said so. “Emotional core of a character are much often neglected” yes,, definitely! Joanne, you still write so eloquently, admire much.
Oh..joanne..i miss yr post in yr blog..thanks for keep writing…yr writing has soul..i agree with yr view regarding the film but to make a film with a soul ..one needed a good script and a good director that knows how to emphasize on certain points
I agree so much with you! Sometimes movies are just deep and sets my heart to think so much more than what others would watch the movie for (the element that would catch them and bring them entertainment), that I tend to feel too much for it and start tearing up. Not sure how to explain myself but that’s the best I can. Haha! Would like to watch such movies soon (the kind you’re blogging about), but haven’t gotten the time to sit down and relax.