An amazing fact of this cinematic jewel is that its manuscript was written in only 11 days. The cast couldn’t have been more appropriate since Meryl always has an evident awkwardness about her sensuality that is perfect for her role in this film and Clint, the quiet outsider, never talked more in a movie, before or after this one. He is just flawless in his role as the loner photographer.
The film —in addition to exploring a very stereotyped marital situation, portraying the most incredible views of covered bridges and open fields, and seducing the viewers with its exquisite soundtrack (the main score was written by Eastwood)— has some of the best romantic lines ever written. Among my favorites:
“This kind of certainty comes but just once in a lifetime.”
“I don’t want to need you, ‘cause I can’t have you.”
“Things change. They always do, it’s one of the things of nature. Most people are afraid of change, but if you look at it as something you can always count on, then it can be a comfort.”
“When a woman makes the choice to marry, to have children; in one way her life begins but in another way it stops. You build a life of details. You become a mother, a wife and you stop and stay steady so that your children can move. And when they leave they take your life of details with them.”
Oh well, perhaps I just love this movie because I outlived a similar situation.