JAMES IVORY

Bil’s rating (out of 5):  BBBB.5. 

United Kingdom/USA, 1990.   Cineplex-Odeon Films, Miramax, Merchant Ivory Productions, RHI Entertainment.   Screenplay by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, based on the novels Mr. Bridge and Mrs. Bridge by Evan S. Connell.   Cinematography by Tony Pierce-Roberts.   Produced by Ismail Merchant.   Music by Richard Robbins.   Production Design by David Gropman.   Costume Design by Carol Ramsey.   Film Editing by Humphrey Dixon.   

One of the most satisfying and enjoyable films to be made by the team of Merchant Ivory. Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward are excellent as the heads of a conservative midwestern family in the 1940s whose day to day lives and personal conflicts make up the bulk of the plot. Woodward longs to escape the confines of being a plain housewife, their daughter Kyra Sedgwick is growing into a lady, son Robert Sean Leonard is also looking to stretch his wings, and dad Newman is trying to keep control of it all. Blythe Danner shines as a close friend with an eccentric personality in this beautifully photographed film, based on two novels by Evan S. Connell, Mr. Bridge and Mrs. Bridge, which were skillfully combined into one story by screenwriter Ruth Prawer Jhabvala.

Academy Award Nomination:  Best Actress (Joanne Woodward)

Golden Globe Award Nomination:  Best Actress-Drama (Joanne Woodward)

Venice Film Festival Award:  In Competition