The movie opens with Francesca Johnson’s lawyer at her farm house. He is meeting with her two grown children Michael and Carolyn (Victor Slezak and Annie Corley) discussing her will because she has passed away. We get a glimpse of Betty, Michael’s wife (Phyllis Lyons). Unbeknownst to all of them, one of her wishes is that she be cremated and her ashes spread over a Holliwell Bridge. Her children were surprised that her will was changed to have that request because she owns two cemetery plots and thought she would want to be buried next to her husband. Then the lawyer handed them each some envelopes with papers and photos in them. As Michael is signing some documents, Carolyn looks in the envelope and reads one of the letters. She calls Michael in the other room to show him what is in the envelopes. He comes back in the room and tells everyone they should leave so they can privately look at everything.
After everyone leaves, Michael and Carolyn are reading one of the letters that their mother left for them. They also find a key to their mom’s hope chest which is upstairs in her bedroom. They look in this trunk and find a letter. Francesca had left them a letter stating she had an affair on the father in 1965. The man she had the affair with worked as a photographer for National Geographic. His name was Robert Kincaid (Clint Eastwood). He was in their town doing an article on the covered bridges of Madison County. Michael is upset that he is discovering this upon his mother’s death. He doesn't want to know anymore about the affair but Carolyn does. She finds her mother’s journals and wants to read them.
They go back downstairs to the kitchen and Carolyn begins to read one of the journals. As she is reading it takes us back to 1965 to Francesca (Meryl Streep) preparing dinner for her family. First a young Michael (Christopher Kroon) comes in the house and the door slams shut behind him. Francesca scolds him and tells him she told him not to do that. Then her husband Richard (Jim Haynie) comes in and the door slams again. Last in the room is a young Carolyn (Sarah Kathryn Schmitt.) Everyone sits down in complete silence and begins to eat. Francesca asks if anyone is going to say Grace. Then Carolyn says, “Grace.” Francesca silently says it to herself. She doesn’t sit long and gets up from the table to get little things her family needs for the dinner table.
After dinner, Francesca is packing her husband’s suitcase because her family is going on a 4 day trip. Richard asks her what she will be doing as a “Woman of Leisure” while they are gone. She replies, “The same thing I do as a hired hand, only with less help.” She realizes she may have hurt her husband’s feelings so she tries to make him feel better. He tells her that he may not sleep while he is away because she won’t be next to him. She reminds him it is only 4 days.
When her family has left on their trip she is doing some household chores when she sees a strange truck approach the house. Robert gets out of the truck and says that he thinks he is lost. She asks him if he is supposed to be in Iowa. He says, “Yes.” Then she says, “You are not that lost.” He says he is looking for a covered bridge that is out that way. She asks if it is Roseman Bridge. She tells him it close and gives him befuddled directions and gets flustered while doing so. She tells him it would be easier to tell him directions if there were named streets. She then offers to show him the way to Roseman Bridge. He said, “Sure, if I not taking you away from anything.” She replies, “No, I was just going to have some iced tea then split the atom but that can wait.” “ I just have to get my shoes.” While waiting for her to get her shoes he notices on the mailbox that it says Mr. & Mrs. Richard Johnson. He nods as if he knew all along. He makes room for her in his truck. She is in the house slipping her shoes on she stops and thinks to herself, out loud but quietly, what is she doing.
Before she gets in the truck she notices his truck says Kincaid Photography Bellingham Washington. When they are in the truck they are getting to know one another. Robert tells her that he thinks there is a wonderful smell about Iowa and it is very particular to this part of the country. He asks her if she knows what he means. She says, “No.” He says he can’t describe it but he thinks that is it is the loam in the soil. This very rich earthly kind of alive. He asks her if she can smell it. She shakes her head no and says maybe it’s because I live here. He says, “That must be it because it is a great smell.” She asks if he is originally from Washington. He said he lived there till he was 20 then moved to Chicago while he was married but moved back after he got divorced. He asks her how long she has been married. She said, “A long time.” He then asks her where she is from. She tells him Italy. He said she doesn’t really look Italian. She tells him her mother is Austria. That she lived in a town called Bari. He tells her that he has been there. She is surprised. He goes on to tell her he had to go through her town to get on a boat in Brindisi but Bari looked so pretty that he stayed for a few days. He found it to be such a breathtaking country. The idea of such freedom overcomes her. She is amazed that he got off the train because the city looked so pretty. Robert reaches for his glove compartment because he wants a cigarette. He accidently brushes up against her thigh. He offers her a cigarette and she hesitates at first but then takes one. He lights it for her. Then she sits back and enjoys the ride. He asks her how long she has been living here but she says long then changes the subject. She asks him how he could get off the train without knowing anyone there.
They arrive at the bridge. He said he will be shooting tomorrow but today he is prepping. She says she doesn't mind waiting. He takes his equipment to the field to see what he will be shooting. She walks on the bridge and notices some names carved in the bridge. She coyly watches him through the opening of the bridge. He shouts to her if it is always this hot there. She replies this time of year. He tells her there is some drinks in the truck and asks if she wants one. She asks him if he wants one and walks back to the truck to get him it. He says, “Not right now thanks.” She takes one for herself. She looks through his stuff and comes across some magazine. After she gets her drink she goes looking for him and finds him in the field picking flowers. He hands her some wildflowers and thanks her for her help. She smiles not knowing how to take them. Robert asks, “Men still give women flowers, don't they? I mean, as a sign of appreciation? I'm not that out of date, am I?” Francesca replies with a tease to Robert, “No not at all, but they are poisonous.” He drops them down and wipes his hands. Then she tells him she was kidding. He liked her strange behavior and looked at her with a smirk. She apologizes to him and helps him pick the flowers. Robert asks her, “Are you by nature a sadistic person?” Francesca replies while trying not to giggle, “No, I'm not. I don't know why I said that. I've been in a very (She is thinking of an excuse.) strange mood all day. I've never done anything like that before. It's... I'm just... Well, you know, the whole world is just going nuts.” He looks at her like she is nuts. She is still trying to dig herself out of her bad joke and he is not helping. She continues, “ What with those riots in Los Angeles and people burning draft cards and ... Adlai Stevenson dying last month.” After they pick the flowers he tries to comfort by giving her a pat on the arm and says she should let things get to her too much. He goes back to work and she shows embarrassment behind his back.
When they are back in the truck, he is searching for a radio station. She asks him which one and he says a Chicago station. He finds it and then offers her another cigarette. She takes one. As they are driving he spots a white dog running in the road following the truck. He asks if that the mean yellow dog she was telling him about in her directions she was trying to give earlier. She really doesn't give him an answer.
As he is dropping her off at her house he says, “Well, thank you Mrs. Johnson.” She tells him to call her Francesca. He tells her to call him Robert. She gets out of his truck then asks if he would like to come in for some iced tea. He does go into her house. While she is making the tea, he plays with her radio trying to find his Chicago station. When she is not looking he can’t take his eyes off of her. As they are drinking their iced tea she asks him where he is staying. He tells her a cabin that is like a motor-in. She asks him how long he is staying here. He says as long as it takes. He may stay a week. Then he asks where her family is. She tells him that her husband took them to the Illinois State Fair because her daughter has a prized steer. He asks her, “How old.” She thinks he is asking about the steer so she tells him that it is a year old. He then tells her he was asking about her children. She tells him that her son is 17 and her daughter is 16. He says it must be nice having kids. She says, “They are not kids anymore. Things change.” He says, “Everything does. One of the laws of nature. People are always so afraid of change. But if you look at it like it's something you can count on happening, it's actually a comfort. Not many things you can count on for sure.” She says, “I guess. Except I'm one of the people it frightens.” He says “I doubt that.” She says “Why?” He says, “Italy to Iowa? I'd call that a change.” She explains, “Richard was in the army. I met him while I was living in Naples. I didn't know where Iowa was. I only cared that it was America. And of course, being with Richard.” Robert asks what her husband is like. She tells him he is very clean. Robert is confused by her answer. She goes on to explain that her husband is a very hard worker. Very honest. Very caring. Gentle. Good father. He asks her if she like Iowa. She tries to come up with a polite answer but can’t. He says he won’t tell anyone. She says, "What am I supposed to say that it is quiet and the people are nice. That we all help each other out which is all true. They all help at harvest time. That in town they can leave their cars unlocked and let your child out without worrying about them. That they are a lot of good qualities but America is not like what she dreamed of as a little girl." He tells about what he wrote in his notebook. "The old dreams were good dreams, they didn't work out but I am glad I had them.” She ask him to stay for dinner saying the there is not many places to eat in town. He says yes because he doesn't get a home cooked dinner that often.
She is upstairs changing getting ready for dinner and looks out the window to see Robert with his shirt off washing himself in the well. She stares at his muscles. Then she pulls herself away from the window to finish dressing herself. She goes towards her bathroom but then goes back to the window for just one more look.
She is in her garden gathering up some vegetables for dinner then brings them in her house. As she begins to make dinner, Robert comes in with some of his gear and asks if he can put some film in her refrigerator so it doesn't melt in the hot sun. She says yes. He then asks if he can help with dinner. This surprises her since her family never helps her. She says he can help with the carrots. Then he sees the onions on the other side of her and brushes up against to get them as he offers to chop them too. Then he asks if she wants a beer then goes out to get the beer.
She is used to a quiet dinner but with Robert it is not like that. He is telling her a story about one of his assignments and his funny encounter with a gorilla. She is hysterically laughing as he goes on with his story. She tells him he should write his stories down. He says he has tried but he is too technical of a writer. That is he better taking photos.
They go for a walk after dinner then come back in for a drink. While she is doing the dishes he is pouring the drinks. He asks her if she is feeling okay. She tells him, “Yes.” He says, “That they aren't doing anything wrong. That she can tell her children.” Then she begins to feel better. While they are drinking their brandy she asks him why she got divorced. He says it was because he wasn't home much that the only reason he got married in the first place was that he thought it was a good idea at the time. She asks him if he ever feels lonely. He said no because he has friends all around the world. She inquires, “Women friends too.” He says, “I’m a loner, not a monk.” She asks if he ever regrets not having a family. He says, “Not everyone is supposed to have a family.” She can’t understand how someone just lives for themselves and not for others. He is tired of people thinking there is something wrong with because he chooses not to have a family. She gets pissed because she think there is nothing wrong with choosing to settle down and raise a family. He asks her if she wants to leave her husband. She is startled that anyone would ask her that question and says, “No, of course not.” He apologizes for asking her. She is curious why he would even think to ask that. He said he thought they were just asking each other questions. Defensively, she says she thought they were just having a conversation. That he is reading something into it that he shouldn't. Then he gets up to leave saying he has to be at the bridge at dawn. She tells him she is sorry for snipping at him. He says it is okay, that he should have never asked. She says that she feels like something was spoiled then. He tells her no and thanks her for dinner. He gathers his stuff and as he is leaving they look each other in the eye, as if they are going to kiss, but they don’t. He leaves. As she is watching him leave her phone rings, she answers it. It is her husband calling to say they made it to their destination alright.
Later that night she is sitting on her porch reading a book. She is feeling warm so she opens her robe a little bit but gets some mosquito bites. She goes upstairs to her room and puts on Calomine lotion. She looks in the mirror and opens her robe a little bit more and for the first time in many years she looks at her body. She then gets this idea to write a note for Robert. She drives to the bridge and leaves it for him. It says, “If you would like supper again, “when white moths are on the wing,” come by tonight when you are finished.” “Anytime is good.”
The next day Francesca keeps busy wondering if Robert will call. He does as she is out working in her fields. She runs into answer. He tells her he accepts her offer for dinner but that she should come to meet him at his next bridge later that day.
Robert is eating lunch in a Diner in town, when Lucy Redfield (Michelle Benes) enters. The whole Diner begins to gossip about her. To them she is an adulteress and no one wants her to sit near them. Robert offers the seat next to him. The waitress is rude to Lucy so she doesn't stay. When Robert is outside he sees her crying in her car. He calls Francesca to tell her that he seen what the town doing to “The Redfield Woman” and doesn't want it to happen to Francesca. He asks if it is okay they still have dinner. She says it still okay for him to come to dinner.
Back at her house, while he is taking a shower she is looking at his clothes and picks them up to smell them. When he gets out she is downstairs preparing dinner. He comes down and asks if he can help. She said no and that she needs to go upstairs and clean up. He says the least he can do is set the table. She goes upstairs to take a bath.
While she is in the bath she watches the water drip from the shower into the bathtub she thinks to herself, “I realized that he had been just a few minutes before. I was lying where the water had rundown his body, I found that intensely erotic. Almost everything about Robert Kincaid had begun to seem erotic to me.”
She comes downstairs in the new dress she bought just today because she was having dinner with him. He sees her and says, “If you don’t mind my boldness, you look stunning. Makes me want to run around the block howling in agony." She thanks him. Just then the phone rings but she really doesn't want to answer it. After the 4th ring she does. It is her friend Madge who called to asked if she had seen the stranger in town. Francesca says yes that he is a photographer who is taking photos of the bridges. Madge tells her she thinks that he looks like a hippie. Francesca rubs Roberts neck, who is now sitting at the table, and says no she doesn't think so. She tells her friend she is about to get in a bath and needs to hang up. When she hangs up the phone Robert stands up and they begin to dance which leads to them kissing. He stops and asks her if she wants to stop. He then says, “Francesca, I won’t be sorry, I won’t apologize for this.” Francesca says, “Nobody asks you to.” They go back to passionately kissing.
Back to present day and Carolyn stops reading the diary for a minute. Michael says he needs a breath of fresh air. He knows what is coming next and just can’t hear about just then.
This is where we will leave off. If you want to know what will happen next go watch the movie.
Broadway Show Website. Check back for when and where it will be touring.
Broadway Show CD
Movie DVD
No comments:
Post a Comment