Bridge of San Luis Rey (2005)
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4% of critics liked it
(24 reviews) -
33% of users liked it
(1,892 ratings)
Thornton Wilder's award-winning novel is given a lavish screen adaptation in this historical drama from writer and director Mary McGuckian. In Peru in 1714, a rickety bridge collapsed as five people were attempting to cross, forcing them to plunge to their deaths. Brother Fray Juniper (Gabriel… More Thornton Wilder's award-winning novel is given a lavish screen adaptation in this historical drama from writer and director Mary McGuckian. In Peru in 1714, a rickety bridge collapsed as five people were attempting to cross, forcing them to plunge to their deaths. Brother Fray Juniper (Gabriel Byrne) is a Franciscan monk who has been given the duty of looking into the tragedy by the archbishop of Lima (Robert De Niro), and to learn what he can about the victims. It is Juniper's belief that these particular people died for some reason, and that it is his duty to determine why God chose these five people to perish, while others in the vicinity survived. After five years, Juniper delivers his findings to the archbishop as well as the viceroy of Peru (F. Murray Abraham), as Juniper tells them of the lives of the troubled Dona Maria (Kathy Bates), the nun Pepita (Adriana Dominguez), warm-hearted Uncle Pio (Harvey Keitel), street kid-turned-actress La Perichola (Pilar Lopez de Ayala), and others involved in the tragedy. The Bridge of San Luis Rey also features Geraldine Chaplin, John Lynch, and brothers Mark Polish and Michael Polish. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Directed By
- Mary McGuckian
- Written By
- Mary McGuckian, Thornton Wilder
- Genres
- Drama, Faith & Spirituality, Art House & International
PG,
- In Theaters
- Jun 10, 2005 Wide
- Studio
- Fine Line Features
Critic Reviews
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Stephen Garrett, Time Out
Why do good actors pop up in bad movies? More perplexingly, why do so many good actors end up in the same bad movie?
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Peter Howell, Toronto Star
As a director, McGuckian is overwhelmed by the immensity of her cast, and her misguided attempt to make a Hollywood epic on a European production budget.
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Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail
Best characterized as an honourable folly.
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Lisa Rose, Newark Star-Ledger
Audiences may wonder why a picture with Robert De Niro, Kathy Bates and Harvey Keitel would be so bereft of hype. After you've endured the film, all 120 airless minutes, you'll understand the rationale behind the quiet release.
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Ben Kenigsberg, Village Voice
An honorable but dull attempt to translate a neglected literary source to the screen.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
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Cast
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Robert De Niro
as Archbishop of Lima
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F Murray Abraham
as Viceroy
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Kathy Bates
as Dona Maria
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Gabriel Byrne
as Brother Fray Juniper
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Geraldine Chaplin
as Abbess
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Émilie Dequenne
as Dona Clara
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Adriana Domínguez
as Pepita
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Harvey Keitel
as Uncle Pio
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Pilar López de Ayala
as La Perichola
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John Lynch
as Captain Alvarado
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Mark Polish
as Manuel
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Michael Polish
as Esteban
- Samuel Le Bihan
