Topping this summer's limited entries into the "Isn't It Romantic?" category was The Bridges Of Madison County. I despised the book but liked the movie. Clint Eastwood seemed a tad on the stringy side for his role, but Meryl Streep turned in one of the juiciest performances of her distinguished career as farm wife, Francesca. Figure her for an Oscar nomination later this year. All in all, a grown-up "love" story ... and a genuine weepie.
Jeffrey was a "different" kind of love story. It was a solid screen adaptation of Paul Rudnick's successful stage comedy (yes, comedy) about gay life and love in the era of AIDS. It has lots of laughs, but doesn't shy from dealing with some difficult -- and to some, probably shocking -- issues. The on-screen treat is a terrific performance by Patrick Stewart, as a sometimes swishy, always acerbic interior designer named Sterling.
Something To Talk About reminded a lot of people why they fell in love with Julia Roberts. She was very appealing in this ensemble tale of a woman whose seemingly perfect life begins to unravel, big time. But the scene-stealer (in a company that includes Robert Duvall and Gena Rowland) is Kyra Sedgewick. She kicks, uh, butt as Julia's character's tart- tongued older sister. The script for this film was written by Thelma & Louise's Callie Khouri. She is a funny, feminist original.
While You Were Sleeping was an early summer entry starring sweetheart Sandra Bullock and Bill Pullman. Predictable but charming, and a movie you could take your conservative great- aunt to without blushing.
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