The Bridge

This is a wonderful film, made the more interesting by the fact that Steer, the main character, is based upon a real artist. what seems to have initiated the impulse to write the story is the interest the author had in the difference between Steer's early and late work. Steer was a practitioner of French painting techniques in the late nineteenth century, his earlier works vibrate with colour and light. WIth his later pieces he concentrated on conventional portraits and landscapes. Art historian think of this as a disappointment and the author wonders what was it that caused this marked change in direction. The author's theory is a fascinating one. Steer had fallen in love. The woman that he loves though is forbidden him. She is married to a man who is a shining example of mercantile respectability. The two men are seen in distinct contrast with each other, they are both attractive but there is no competition, Isobel, is in love with Steer. Steer's dilemma is whether he is able to live his life as his art would tell him. The art is revolutionary, a reaction to the vulgar materialism of the age, but his own life is staid. Will he be able to run off with Isobel and accept society's disapprobation? Or will he just leave her to fester in a loveless marriage, whilst he himself remains alone and dissatisfied. In the end this film is about failure, and what makes us fail, in life and art.

There are many top-notch qualities in this film: The director's style, cinematography, writing, acting, ambiance and soundtrack are truly memorable. It is very true to the novel of the same name on which it is based, which won a literary award. The misery in it is haunting but it is not about failure. If one views it with careful attention to the dialogue and the last frames, there is much wisdom to be gleaned from it. Sometimes, themost surprising and effective art can result from tough times and disappointments in life. It is really about making lemonade out of a lemon. It is definitely worth viewing (and more than once), especially to people trying to make their way through the difficulties of creating art.

A fictional story based on a painting by English 19C painter, Philip Wilson Steer. Depicts the growing attraction between Steer and a married woman amid the confines of Victorian society. Slow-moving but well-acted with beautiful images of the Norfolk coast, it ultimately has an unsatisfying ending and you might wonder what the point was. Nevertheless, worth watching.

I saw this movie in 1992 during its premier in Los Angeles at Paramount Studios or one of the other ones...I think it was on Melrose.

That was 9 years ago and I can still remember walking out of the film completely wowed! I can still vividly see the incredible textures that were found throughout the film, from the opening credits, to the shafts of light filtering through windows, to the scene where a drowned man is dragged back to shore. The film is not an action packed thrill a minute joy ride through Manhatten. There are so many slight hints and little nuances that allow the viewer to discover the film instead of laying it in front of them like christmas turkey. I have often told friends of this incredible director that I was fortunate enough to meet that evening and of his incredible film. I was so surprised and happy to find it was listed here, I have always wanted to see it again. Hopefully that is possible through this service (my first time here). If you have the means to see this film, do so, you will not I repeat not regret having done so.

This film like not many other films has moved me to tears. The blending of moods and visuals is stunning and above all refined. It never crosses the line of being a tearjerker,yet it has all the

ingredients of it. Especially the music is so haunting that upon this day i can hum it in my mind, though it has been some 10 years since last seeing it.

I'm looking forward owning it on DVD when it is released on that format. The scene in which the village-fair is crowned by a fireworks which the main characters view sitting besides each other is superb, and the acting is topnotch for the withheld sense of longing and isolation. A great movie.