Mr. and Mrs. Bridge

Slightly above average depiction of probably typical middle-class, middle-American family of the 40's and '50s. Very good acting by Newman and Woodward but so little plot that many will fall asleep. Typical Ivory lushness for period and good photography.

Nearly a quarter-century after its release, this film still packs an emotional wallop. One of the very few Hollywood films to level any kind of criticism at the young generation, specifically big- city people, the story in many ways seems even more timely today (in 2005) than when it was made. Paul Newman gives one of his best performances in this film, and character actor Joanne Woodwardbecame a household name thanks to his dramatic turn in the movie's climatic scene near the end. The actress is simply herself, which makes her the weakest element of the entire film and the only reason not to give this classic effort a perfect 10. The sex is minimal, the physical violence practically non-existent (except for a short, tense scene between Newman and Fields) and the dialogue tight and gripping. Still worth your time, 25 years later.

Lush period settings abound, Mr. and Mrs. Bridge is a visual treat; just what you expect from a Merchant/Ivory production. This time its upper-middle class comfort in pre-WWII Kansas City. The Bridges, a somewhat neurotic waspy-lawyerly family, consist of Woodward and Newman trying to prepare their two children for adulthood, or at least their twisted idea of adulthood. An interesting setting, the movie lacks a story to tell. We are just eavesdropping as the family goes through an assortment of small crises. There is no plot per se, we just watch. It's ok if you like this sort of thing, and Newman and Woodward are always good. This movie's a toss-up, not good, not bad.

This is probably the least interesting of the Merchant Ivory movies. It's not based on a great novel just an average one. The strong point is Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward acting well. There are some insights into changing values and attitudes of the time but it's just not that interesting. Nothing very eventful or dramatic happens. It's just a meandering story about a family in the 30s with the main character being the mother. She has a emotionally distant husband who loves her in his own way. She is unappreciated by both him and her children who have their own struggles. She has a friend played by Blythe Danner going through some sort of breakdown. They have a little trip to Europe. In the end if feels more of a waste of time. While Merchant Ivory usually selects interesting novels or subjects to adapt I don't know why they decided on this rather boring story. It's far from a must watch.

Out of the Merchant Ivory productions I have seen, Mr and Mrs Bridge is my least favourite probably. That said, it is not a bad film, far from it. The production values are superb, I loved the beautiful cinematography and the scenery and costumes are equally exquisite, while the soundtrack is well-chosen and well-incorporated. Richard Robbins' score is a nice touch too. In general, the script is thought provoking and touching and the characters are believable. The direction is also solid, and the acting particularly from Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward is excellent. However, the film is in my view overlong, and further disadvantaged by one too many scenes that drag badly. While I was touched the story and admired it, some of is episodic and could have done with more cohesion. Overall though, I did like the movie but I prefer Remains of the Day, Room with a View and Howards End over Mr and Mrs Bridge. Worth seeing for the production values and cast. 7/10 Bethany Cox

This is a series of vignettes in the life of a mid-West family rather than a straight ahead narrative, it is, if you like, Meet Me In St Louis without the songs. The form is still viable as the recent French film The First Day Of The Rest Of Your Life demonstrated last year. Newman and Woodward are, of course, beyond praise, and it's a delight to see Newman, who can epitomise the extrovert, playing a repressed, buttoned-up type in the best English tradition as written by Terence Rattigan. The film takes its own sweet time getting nowhere and has Art House written all over it so much so that it's difficult to imagine it making it through the first reel in the Multiplexes. Apart from the two leads there's fine support from the likes of Blythe Danner, Kyra Sedgwick and Simon Callow and if peering through a microscope at insects busy doing nothing is your thing then you came to the right place.

This is definitely a nitch film that will not appeal to a mass audience. It's a rather uneventful story of a mid-western upper class WASP family, and the cultural milieu of their times. Set in the time frame of pre-World War II America, it is a series of vignettes of various characters' lives. Everything about the production is first class; from the acting to the lush settings. This is a film for those who prefer subtlety over action. This ain't a popcorn film, it is a movie for a quiet time where you can sit back and watch a serious character study. Too, a knowledge of the history of the time would be nice -- but not essential. I'll give it a solid *8*.