When one is deeply absorbed in his life’s work, he tends to lead a quiet existence. Unaffected by the negativity of mundane routines or the monotony of daily tasks, he finds contentment in this simple life, becoming almost detached from the outside world. Such was the case for Francesca Johnson and her family. They found their solace in the quietude, serenity, and familiar comfort of their lives. This sense of satisfaction was further nurtured by the traditional character of their small town, Madison, where families lived in a state of resemblance, united by their collective longing for harmonious coexistence, which had become emblematic of this place.
Francesca’s life would have followed its usual course, had it not been for the unexpected arrival of a wandering man who had lost his way. He approached her residence seeking information about a bridge he intended to capture through his lens. his man was Robert Kincaid, a photographer for National Geographic. He arrived unannounced, just as Francesca was preparing for four days of solitude and freedom from her household duties, as her husband and children were away. Her husband had inquired about her plans for the upcoming leisurely period, to which she had responded, “I’ll do what I always do, only with less help.” Little did Francesca know that these four days would be unlike anything she had experienced in her lifetime, as she had assumed. The free time she craved would instead be filled with the unexpected details of this unfamiliar visitor.
As Robert Kincaid inquired about the location of the Roseman Bridge, Francesca found herself unable to provide a precise description. Yet, as she struggled to convey the details to him, her gaze unwittingly became fixated on the peculiarities of this transient man who appeared unlike any she had encountered in her familiar environment. In that moment, she made a spontaneous decision, extending her first offer by proposing to accompany him to the site of the bridge.
During their journey towards the bridge, their conversation brimmed with inquisitive exchanges. Robert answered her questions with practiced ease, while her own responses to his ordinary inquiries felt increasingly muddled. When he inquired about the duration of her marriage, she paused for a few moments, carefully selecting an answer she deemed suitable for a stranger. Eventually, she replied, “It has been a lengthy union.”
As they continued their journey, Robert surprised Francesca with a remark about the town’s unique scent, perhaps emanating from the very earth itself. Although she confessed that she couldn’t discern the distinct aroma, she pondered to herself, “Perhaps it’s because I have become accustomed to this place.” His observation hinted at a deeper understanding of the land and the woman beside him. This intuition was confirmed when Francesca revealed her Italian heritage and her origin from a small village called Bari. To her astonishment, Robert told her he had once passed through Bari and was captivated by its landscape and ambiance, even disembarking from the train to spend several days there. This revelation left Francesca speechless, prompting her to utter in disbelief, “Did you get off the train because the view was beautiful?!”
As their dialogue continued, its exploratory nature deepened. Reaching the bridge, Francesca found herself captivated by the worlds of this passing man. Throughout their dialogue, he responded to her inquiries with spontaneity and boldness, leaving her with the impression that he possessed a unique and divergent world—one that she had glimpsed when she discovered him tuning in to her favorite music radio station inside the car. This further fueled her desire to unravel the mysteries he held. When he offered her a cold drink from his car while he set up his camera, she couldn’t resist stealing glances at the contents before she opened the beverage box. It marked her first secret glimpse.
After he escorted her back home, one might assume their encounter would end. However, Francesca, back to her solitude, was consumed by a lingering curiosity and a yearning that refused to be quelled. She remained captivated by this transient photographer and couldn’t help but express her admiration, remarking, “Your words sound like the words of an artist.” In that moment, she extended her second offer, inviting him to partake in a cup of tea.
Robert graciously accepted the invitation, embodying the demeanor of a man who was well-versed in the art of captivating women like Francesca. Unbeknownst to him, she seized the opportunity to steal a glimpse of him as he washed himself outside the house, marking her second concealed observation. In those fleeting moments, Francesca felt herself succumbing to her own desires, realizing that this man had arrived in her life at precisely the right moment.
Their dialogue served as an exploration of each other’s personalities, touching on topics such as family, love, marriage, and personal convictions. It became evident that a stark contrast existed between them. Robert was immersed in a world of freedom, chaos, and detachment from material attachments, with photography as his favored domain. When Francesca questioned his obsession with capturing the world through his lens, he simply replied, “I don’t expect an obsession to have reasons. It just is.” In contrast, Francesca found herself trapped within the confines of marriage, family, and a fixed place. While Robert appeared content with his convictions, she remained veiled in secrecy, hesitant to reveal her true desires and dreams. She dismissed her home as a shack and described her life as ordinary and monotonous. The statements that slipped from her lips were interpreted by Robert, who grasped the underlying confusion she experienced, seemingly unable to call a spade a spade.
As their conversation ended, Robert bid farewell, expressing gratitude for Francesca’s kindness. It was a familiar feeling for him, accepted with the practiced ease of a man accustomed to receiving such kindness from women. Meanwhile, Francesca found herself engulfed in the lingering presence of a man who had illuminated the darkness of her solitude, leaving behind a lingering reverence. At this point, the story could have naturally concluded. However, the emptiness within Francesca, which her husband had questioned before his departure, now expanded into a vast and fierce void. The mundane daily tasks at home and on the farm no longer sufficed to erase the image of this passing man from her mind. So, what was she to do?
Francesca spends the night immersed in reading a poetry collection of Yeats, as if by reading his words, she can hold on to Robert for a little while longer. After all, he shared her passion for the verses of Yeats and had committed them to memory, much like herself. Suddenly, an idea sparked within Francesca’s mind—an invitation for a second dinner. She decided to write a note and hang it on the bridge that Robert was preparing to photograph the following day. This wouldl be the third of her offers within the film.
Their dialogue grew deeper and more intimate, venturing into more personal territory. When Robert inquired about her husband, Francesca described him as “very clean,” a man of hard work, integrity, and care, ultimately a “good man.” When a woman describes a man in such a manner, it typically signifies gratitude for the qualities he possesses as a human being, rather than indicating the stirring of passion or wonder. Francesca confided in Robert about her unfulfilled dreams, expressing her longing for aspirations that had remained unrealized. In response, Robert reveals that he had written something reflecting a similar sentiment: “The old dreams were good, but they did not come true; yet I am happy that I dreamt of them.” His replies were a tapestry of wonder, understanding, and different actions, precisely what she needed in that moment of her life.
Francesca carried within her the general contentment that permeated the town’s houses, yet her personal happiness remained elusive. Robert, with an uncanny intuition, saw beyond the facade, sensing the latent boredom that gnawed at her. He dared to ask the shocking question: “Do you intend to leave your husband?” Her response was a firm refusal, but Robert, with a profound understanding of her, saw through it. “Do not deceive yourself, Francesca,” he said, “you are far from being a simple woman.”
Their third day together was marked by the most profound conversation yet, fueled by an intimacy that had taken on a desired, sensual path. Unlike the previous conversations, where questions held a certain distance, focusing on his travels and photographic expertise, Francesca’s inquiries have now gone deeper, revealing an emotional interest. “How do you maintain your female friends all over the world?” she asked, a question typically reserved for deeper connections. Curiosity compelled her before that to ask, “Do you have girlfriends?” Robert, with practiced diplomacy, initially responded, “I prefer solitude, but wouldn’t call myself an ascetic.” Sensing the shift, Francesca further pressed, “How were you in your youth?” In this conversation, she took the initiative, posing the questions while he responded without concern for whether his answers would please her or not.
As the final day of their encounter approached, the glory of the past four days hung heavy in the air. The realization that their fleeting intimacy was nearing its end loomed large, prompting them to contemplate a farewell worthy of its intensity. For Robert, it was a familiar pattern. He would depart from the house, having added another emotional story to his repertoire as a seasoned traveler and adventurer. However, for Francesca, it brought about great anguish, as she realized that her life would return to its previous state of monotony and boredom. With his impending departure, she feared losing the radiance that had illuminated her existence during their time together. In the throes of this despair, anger bloomed. She lashed out at Robert, questioning his previous answers and dissecting them with newfound scrutiny. He who had once appeared charming and adventurous now seemed frivolous and uncommitted, his adaptability morphing into a lack of loyalty. The very qualities she had admired in him before now became flaws, leading her to question “Should I live with a man who needs everyone but needs no one in particular?” Francesca accused Robert of living as a voyeur, suggesting that his passion for photography had consumed his life and influenced his interactions with others. She saw him as someone who lived through voyeurism, constantly seeking the right viewpoint and perspective both in photography and in human and life relationships.
Francesca began to view Robert as a self-centered man, someone who lived a solitary existence and engaged in fleeting romantic encounters whenever he pleased. She believed that she and the other women in his life were supposed to be grateful for the transient moments they shared with him. Yet, his expertise in navigating these temporary connections allowed him to remain calm and aloof, even as he made his offer. He knew, with assured certainty, she would refuse. And even if she accepted, accompanying him would cost him nothing. Francesca declined his invitation, as he anticipated. She realized that if she were to go with him, the subsequent days would not be imbued with the same glow and splendor they had experienced during their four days together. To preserve the blissful memory of their time, she felt compelled to relinquish the idea of leaving. Perhaps her refusal wasn’t solely about protecting her family but also about cherishing the fleeting nature of their connection, safeguarding its immortality within her mind. She did not want to jeopardize its magic by extending it beyond its natural course. This brief ephemeral connection was precisely what she needed in her life, allowing her to create a personal story that resonated deeply within her soul, a secret inner tumult that only she could comprehend. Robert, with his intuitive understanding, subtly nurtured this narrative. He sent her tokens of their shared memories, accompanied by a book with the dedicated inscription: “There is pleasure in the pathless forests.”
For Robert, those four days were just a part of the beautiful life he had lived, with more adventures awaiting him in the future. However, for Francesca, those four days held a unique and unparalleled beauty, etched in her memory like glimmering gold. She captured the essence of their time together in her diary, ensuring her children could read about it. She urged them to recognize the true value of love, to avoid sacrificing their own emotions for mere compliments or fleeting desires. As Robert had once told her, certain experiences only come once in a lifetime. Francesca, who held firm belief in this notion, recognized that their connection could never be relived. Nonetheless, she immortalized those cherished days in her diaries and in her quiet dreams that remained unfulfilled.
Screenplay: Richard LaGravenese, based on the novel of the same title as the film by Robert James Waller.
Starring: Clint Eastwood as Robert Kincaid and Meryl Streep as Francesca Johnson.
Directed by: Clint Eastwood.
Cinematography: Jack Green.
T1645
