Plot Details: This opinion reveals major details about the movie's plot.

This is my contribution to Bryan_Carey's New Millennium W/O, in honor of his 2,000th review. It is a new millennium review on a remake of the 1944 classic film The Bridge of San Luis Rey, based on the novel by Thornton Wilder.

The 2004 remake of The Bridge of San Luis Rey is a ponderous, but visually stimulating period drama set in 18th century Peru. It raises a number of intriguing question about the relationship between fate and destiny, as well as, the overwhelming power of love.

The film is structured within the framework of the heresy trial of a Franciscan Monk, Brother Juniper, (Gabriel Byrne) by the Archbishop (Robert De Niro) and Viceroy (F. Murry Abraham) of Peru, surrounding his account of the lives of five victims of the collapse of a centuries old rope bridge built by the Incas. In contrast to the book, the identities of the victims remain a mystery until the end of the film.

The story weaves in and out of the trial, via flashbacks and narrative from Brother Juniper as he tells the stories of several people who were in some way affected by the tragedy. Brother Juniper himself, was a mere 10 minutes away from crossing the bridge when the tragedy occurred. He begins with the story of the Marquesa de Montemayor, a wealthy widow who wants nothing more than the love of her estranged daughter, a frivolous young opera star, La Perichole, (Pilar de Ayala) who is banished to the countryside after being impregnated by the Viceroy, orphaned male twins raised in a convent, a young nun (Adriana Dominguez) who becomes The Marquesa's servant and surrogate daughter, and Uncle Pio, (Harvey Kietel) La Perichole's admirer.

Brother Juniper struggles in coming to the conclusion that, either we live by accident and die by accident, or live by plan and die by plan." The final scenes consist of a re-enactment of the tragedy, the verdict of Brother Juniper's trial, and a brief meditation on the power of love by the the convent's Reverend Mother. (Geraldine Chaplain)

Due to it's rather cumbersome framework and slow pacing, this film requires a lot of patience on part of the viewer in following the various subplots and stories of the central characters. Although it deals with some rather deep philosophical and theological issues, they are dealt with only superficially, leaving the audience to come to their own conclusion.

I was a little puzzled by some of the casting choices in this film. While Robert De Niro and Kathy Bates deliver technically sound performances, they are not very convincing in their roles.

What this film lacks in substance is made up for, to some degree, in the excellent production values featuring sweeping cinematography, elaborate costume design, and authentic 18th century details. Though the film is visually appealing, the awkward structure short circuits the emotional impact of it's tragic conclusion.

Overall, the new millennium remake of The Bridge of San Luis Rey has resulted in a rather mediocre effort. It raises some interesting philosophical and theological questions, but the ponderous presentation stifles the character development fails to capture the intensity and pathos that the story deserves.




Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Better than Watching TV
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older