The defence The Prestige Tourist
“Sincerity is not manipulation.”
The film risks embarrassment to make emotion communal, and that openness is harder than fashionable detachment.
Back to trending 
The Bridges of Madison County
Drama · Romance · 1995
Photographer Robert Kincaid wanders into the life of housewife Francesca Johnson for four days in the 1960s.
Movie details
The Bridges of Madison County
“A love like this happens to some of us sooner or later. For Robert and Francesca, it was later.”
1995 Drama · Romance 2h 15m
Critical arithmetic
One number, for now.
Scores change. Arguments endure.
TMDB
7.7 / 10
Community rating
Photographer Robert Kincaid wanders into the life of housewife Francesca Johnson for four days in the 1960s.
CriticWise case file
What this film says about your taste.
Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.
The archetype split
Who fights over The Bridges of Madison County?
For the defence
The Prestige Tourist
“You like your greatness pre-approved.”
Read their case For the prosecution
The Popcorn Loyalist
“Big screen, big feelings, no apologies.”
Read their objectionThe split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.
Where it lives
Watch in your region.
Cinema release signals and current streaming, rental, and purchase options for your region.
Streaming availability data supplied by JustWatch.
Names above the title
The people responsible.
Cast & crew
Directed by
Clint Eastwood
Written by
Richard LaGravenese · Steven Spielberg · Clint Eastwood
Meryl Streep
Francesca Johnson
Clint Eastwood
Robert Kincaid
Annie Corley
Caroline Johnson
Victor Slezak
Michael Johnson
Jim Haynie
Richard Johnson
Sarah Zahn
Young Carolyn
C
Christopher Kroon
Young Michael
Court is in session
Put The Bridges of Madison County on trial.
Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.
The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist
“The strings are showing.”
Every cue tells you exactly what to feel and when, leaving sentiment to do the work character should have done.