Chantilly Bridge

I had the opportunity to see Chantilly Bridge at a screening in NYC at the Village East (a father-daughter event). It was a beautifully made movie, wonderful cast, and a great follow-up to Chantilly Lace (which I had seen earlier in the week, but my daughter had not). BOTH of us enjoyed the movie thoroughly, and found the stories compelling, the acting very "real" (and as much of it was unscripted, that added to the authenticity), and while filled with feminist themes and lots of "girl-bonding", it was not just a "Chick flick"! Definitely worth seeing, and loved the addition of Patricia Richardson to the ensemble cast!

The film is a poignant follow-up to 1993's Chantilly Lace. Chantilly Bridge is a story about growing older and stronger and softer with one another-summed up in a single line from the film: 'what gets stitched together when you keep reaching out.' I appreciated the impromptu intimacy of the dialogue, kind of a refreshing change in this era of big-budget blockbusters. I also loved the setting and the way it encapsulated a certain poetry when it comes to the beauty and complexity of female friendships. Gorgeously shot in the stark light of winter, Chantilly Bridge is one for all seasons of life.

"Chantilly Bridge," the sequel to "Chantilly Lace" (1993), is the story of a group of friends facing late middle age and older, the problems and issues that happen along the way. The all-woman cast shows a friendship that has endured for all of their lives and the movie depicts this and how they are always there for each other - good and bad. "Chantilly Bridge" shows the love they have for one another. The women gather to pay tribute to Ruth and to help her daughter, Shelley (Patricia Richardson) pack up her mom's belongings and sell her home. The issues that are brought up in this movie are poignant and have real world substance. These lifelong friends reminisce, discuss life altering events in their lives and just being themselves as only old friends can do. It is a moving and thought-provoking movie.

Director Linda Yellen shot the film in a small town in Northern New York during winter. The movie features a lot of improvisation, and the all-women cast worked together to develop their characters and their concerns. This way of filming the movie gives it authenticity and sincerity.

This is a movie I would strongly recommend seeing.

Linda Yellen's CHANTILLY BRIDGE is a love note to the indomitability of female friendship and the beauty and complexities of found family as we age, love and grow. Though a sequel to Yellen's CHANTILLY LACE, seeing the prior film is not a prerequisite. I hadn't and yet was immediately swept up in each woman's quietly fraught world, cheering for her triumphs and mourning the inevitable losses and compromises that are part and parcel of the landscape of every life. Unvarnished dialogue, an authentic rapport and warmth among the characters, stellar storytelling and gorgeous filmography (the backdrop is the spartan beauty of a rural Upstate New York winter) make CHANTILLY BRIDGE an absolute must see.

Chantilly Bridge is a rare gem of a movie! It's extraordinary cast of women create a story that is warm, intimate and compelling. My wife and I were both equally captivated by the timeless quality of the performances and the real-life character issues that resonate with us all. Even the dialogue sounds natural and unaffected - probably because these remarkable actors were challenged by director Linda Yellin to use their own words. As a result, each of the film's well-photographed scenes reverberates with a gentle authenticity that will draw you in. And the music too is a treat as it's provided by the great Judy Collins, sounding as wonderful as ever. If you're looking for a beautiful film made for adults, let us highly recommend Chantilly Bridge!