mnelspearson

With the breathtaking wide-open spaces of a John Ford classic Western, "Silverado" (this time from Lawrence Kasden), takes us into the high desert country of New Mexico in brilliant Technicolor. A basic good versus evil story is brought to life with terrific characters portrayed by some of the best actors the movie industry has to offer.

I recommend that you add "Silverado" to the Westerns section of your "Top Ten Desert Island" collection. But you must see "Silverado" in the letterbox format. The "edited to fit your TV screen" version will only leave you disappointed.

"Bridget Jones's Diary" is the story of how a young woman fouls up every aspect of her life -- sometimes by trying too hard, and sometimes by not trying at all. When she does finally get on the right track and the pieces of her "life puzzle" seem to come together, she almost messes that up too. It is certainly not a new story, by any means. It's just another way of telling the ageless tale of how people are always their own worst enemy. We usually solve and resolve our individual, psycho-social problems by getting out of our own way!

Renee Zellweger, as Bridget Jones, does a terrific job of portraying her character. She has done so in other movies ("Jerry Maguire," "Nurse Betty" etc.), but this time with the added challenge of the British accent and the quirky way in which the English say things. I found myself making heavy use of the rewind and pause buttons on the remote control, in order to fully understand what these actors were saying.

"Bridget Jones's Diary" deserves a double thumbs up. It is a very good adult comedy, with just the right amount of pathos without becoming syrupy sweet. Besides Zellweger, Hugh Grant, Colin Firth and other supporting actors do a fine job. There is nothing to rave about here, because most parts, aside from the Bridget Jones character, are relatively low-key. It's not the first time an actor's performance has risen above the material. So don't take this movie too seriously, just watch and enjoy it for what it is.

I find myself fascinated by this film about how the paths of two people can cross at what is both the right and wrong time in their lives. Bittersweet romance found too late in her life and with the unattainable woman in his.

In spite of her questionable pseudo-Italian accent, Meryl Streep does as fine an acting job as she has done to date. With just the right amount of passion, frustration and limited hopelessness, she brings out in her character what it was Robert Kincaid (Clint Eastwood) found so irresistible. Eastwood, on the other hand, portrays the kind of world-traveling photojournalist I wish I could have been. Here-in lies my personal affection for the movie ~ the combination of a painful love destined to haunt these two characters for the rest of their lives, and the excitement of Robert Kincaid's profession.

I recommend "The Bridges of Madison County" to anyone willing to suspend reality for a couple of hours and get lost in a fanciful celluloid encounter, not intended to strain the brain but to entertain.