Thematically heavy costume drama (too weighty for the average viewer)
In 1714, five people fall to their deaths in the Andes when an "indestructible" rope-bridge breaks and Franciscan monk Brother Juniper (Gabriel Byrne) becomes obsessed with the tragedy, collecting personal notes on all the victims and writing a book on his conclusions: Five people, all dying of the same cause at the same instant, cannot be mere coincidence in an understandable human universe. He's put on trial by the Inquisition (which was running Spain and Peru at the time) for humanly trying to second-guess an Act of God. Robert De Niro plays the prosecuting Archbishop.
"The Bridge of San Luis Rey" (2004) is a costume drama taking place in Peru with a few scenes in Spain. Directed by Mary McGuckian, it's the third film based on the novel by Thornton Wilder.
The movie flashes back and forth between Juniper's trial and the lives of the five before their deaths. The victims are played by Kathy Bates, Harvey Keitel, Adriana Domínguez and Michael Polish. Émilie Dequenne appears as the daughter of Bates' character while Pilar López de Ayala is on hand as a theater actress. Geraldine Chaplin plays the mother nun and F. Murray Abraham appears as the Viceroy of Peru. Dominique Pinon in on hand as a fop while Mark Polish plays the twin brother of one of the victims.
Despite the stellar cast, this film is the furthest thing from a "blockbuster." Anyone who wants a blockbuster should turn around and get the fudge out of here. "The Bridge of San Luis Rey" demands intellectual investment and the willingness to entertain things not often discussed, like those in the book of Job. The movie is a call to endure the pilgrimage of this world even when it doesn't seem possible or desirable to do so. It is a call to persevere in faith even when the systems of belief turn against us and we don't understand.
The secondary theme is just as significant: How do we accept providence when those in positions of spiritual authority act in a manner incompatible with divine Love? In Brother Juniper's attempt to affirm the love of God in the face of the fatal accident at the bridge, he runs afoul of staunchly legalistic officials. They do not appreciate his attempt to "Think the thoughts of God after Him." In attempting to show Love in the midst of evil, Juniper unexpectedly sees more evil, enacted in the name of God, no less.
Since this is a dialogue-driven movie I encourage you to use the subtitles to keep up with the archaic verbiage and keep track of who's who and what's happening. Beyond the heavy themes, the strength of the movie is its great cast, costumes, sets and acting. The film successfully transports you into another space and time with different social, religious and economic pressures than what we know today. The picture is top-of-the-line on these fronts.
Unfortunately, it was shot entirely in Spain and so the mountains are smaller than the Andes and the buildings more magnificent. The storytelling also seems to bog down in places, but that's because this is not a movie based on plot & pace but rather a genuine look at the characters and their loving relationships.
It's a revelation about love in its myriad forms: From Kathy Bates' character seeking the love of her daughter to Harvey Keitel's parental love for the actress to the sibling love of the silent twins to the love of God portrayed by the nuns & Juniper to God's love for humanity.
To close, "The Bridge at San Luis Rey" is certainly worthwhile for those who appreciate layered, dialogue-driven dramas with weighty themes. Lastly, if you've ever wanted to suck the fingers of a bodacious babe, this movie's for you!
The film runs 2 hours.
GRADE: B/B- (6.5/10) (I might raise my grade with future viewings; we'll see)
