Watch The Bridge of San Luis Rey

The Bridge of San Luis Rey is a 2004 drama film directed by Mary McGuckian, and based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name by Thornton Wilder. The film stars a remarkable cast of talented actors like Gabriel Byrne, Robert De Niro, Harvey Keitel, Kathy Bates, and F. Murray Abraham, to name a few. The story is set in 18th century Peru, where the famous Bridge of San Luis Rey collapses, killing five people who happened to be crossing it at the same time. Brother Juniper (Gabriel Byrne), a Franciscan monk, witnesses the tragedy and is determined to find out why those specific people died on that specific day. He sets out on a quest to investigate the backgrounds of each victim, hoping to discover what led them to their untimely deaths.

As the story unfolds, we are introduced to each of the five victims, who each have their own backstory and connection to each other. There's the Marquesa de Montemayor (Kathy Bates), a rich woman who has recently lost her daughter, Pepita (Penélope Cruz), a young girl rescued from poverty by the Marquesa, and her twin brother Esteban (Mark Polish), who has become a famous actor in Spain. Also among the victims is Uncle Pio (Harvey Keitel), a well-known contraband merchant who has ties to many of the other characters, and the fifth victim, the tragic figure of Dona Clara (Meryl Streep), who has been isolated in a convent since the death of her husband.

Brother Juniper's investigation takes him into the lives of the victims, revealing their relationships with each other and their personal struggles. As he gathers his evidence, he hopes to explain the reasons behind their deaths, and ultimately, to find meaning in the tragedy that has befallen them.

The film is beautifully shot, with stunning Peruvian landscapes and period costumes that transport the viewer back in time. The acting is of the highest calibre, with each member of the cast delivering powerful and nuanced performances. Gabriel Byrne is especially notable in his portrayal of Brother Juniper, capturing the character's sense of purpose and idealism with a quiet intensity. Robert De Niro's character, the stern and pragmatic Archbishop of Lima, offers a sharp contrast to Brother Juniper's dreaminess, and his performance is all the more impressive for its economy.

Despite the tragic storyline, the film offers moments of humour, particularly in the character of Uncle Pio, whose devil-may-care attitude and clever schemes provide comic relief from the weightier themes of the story.

Ultimately, The Bridge of San Luis Rey is a moving meditation on the nature of fate and the interconnectedness of all things. While the tragedy of the bridge collapse is devastating, the film offers hope that even in the darkest of moments, there is meaning to be found. It's a beautiful, thought-provoking film that leaves a lasting impression.

The Bridge of San Luis Rey is a 2005 romance movie with a runtime of 2 hours. It has received poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.0 and a MetaScore of 25.