Realism Trumps Romance Everytime
Monday, November 12, 2007 at 10:39AM The movie Bridges of Madison County was on last night. My step daughter had never seen it, so much to my husband’s dismay, we watched it together. Well, she and I watched it while hubby fiddled on the computer.
I don’t know if you’ve ever seen this movie, but it is quite the chic flick to say the least. Lonely Iowa housewife in the sixties meets intrepid photographer. They fall in love over a four day period and remain forever bound to each other, but live a life apart.
Sappy. Unrealistic. Tear jerker.
So we get to the turning point scene. You know, where they move from flirting to the real deal. After taking a shower, Clint Eastwood walks into the kitchen as Meryl Streep is stuffing the casserole into the stove. She tells him that dinner will be ready in half an hour, then goes upstairs to “ready herself”. While soaking in the tub, she realizes he was naked only moments before in the same exact spot she now lies. This ignites her desires beyond her control. She realizes she must have this man. She needs this man. She is ready to go for it.
She walks back downstairs all refreshed and sparkly in her brand new dress, bought just for the occasion. He stares at her in awe, tells her she looks stunning. They start to dance. They start to kiss. They keep kissing. And kissing. And kissing.
By this time, I am really starting to get anxious. I am shaking my foot in complete nervousness. I shift positions. My husband glances over at me.
They’re still kissing, only more passionate.
I shift again. My husband looks at me and then gestures to my stepdaughter. He thinks I am uncomfortable because this sex scene is going on with her in the room. She glances over at me. For all I know, she thinks I am uncomfortable because this housewife is cheating on her husband and that must bother me in some way.
Nope.
Finally, I can’t take it anymore. I can barely concentrate on the scene. I jump up from the couch.
“She said dinner would be ready in a half hour. It’s gotta be burning by now!”
A hopeless romantic I am not.
Reader Comments (8)
LOL! You are awesome...what a crack up.
I get hung up on details like that. It's why I can't watch shows like Heroes, which is a cool concept but oh-so-sloppy.
I mean one central moment of dialogue went:
Guy: (something blathery)
Weird Bald Man: There's a storm coming and she's the key.
I cracked up. It was supposed to be a tense moment and I LOL literally. Husband shot me Death Glare and I said, "Storm coming, key? WTF? I mean, wtf does that even mean?"
He tells me these things are not the point but I say I am the detail-oriented person in our family and who does everyone depend on? LOL
Julie
Using My Words
I would have been weirded out too!
I almost watched that too! Almost. Maggie wanted to watch "The Princess Bride" <-- (HBO On Demand) for the 3rd time in a row. After that, The Bourne Identity was on.
Although I love that movie, Between a Wrinkly Clint or Smokin hott Matt? Matt wins every time. His only challenger would be Robert Redford in "The Horse Whisperer"
So, did you save dinner?
what drivel, as dull as the housewives........ it seems the kitchen was on fire when she returned to it...lol. when are the new episodes of project runway starting???
First of all.......the movie is a pitiful second to the book. (Isn't that always the case?!)
Second of all...that is completely something I would do! There is just not a romantic bone in my body! I try to be sentimental and "girlie"....but I just can't swing it. :)
you are hilarious. and that book nearly broke me in two.
Babe, that would have been my reaction too. Sigh.
Thinks it's time for a vacation.