On the Bridge

Director: Frank Perry

Institute History

  • 1993 Sundance Film Festival

Description

Frank Perry, whose distinguished career as a filmmaker extends back to 1963's David and Lisa, for which he received an Academy Award nomination, and includes such achievements as Play It As It Lays, Rancho Deluxe and Diary of a Mad Housewife, offers us an intimate and revealing portrait of a cancer patient. And though we have seen films on this subject before, this one is unique because the patient is himself. What ensues is a probing and often-delicate exploration of the trauma that is cancer and the roller-coaster ride of treatment, remission and inevitable recurrence that follows.

Although it documents the limitations of medical practice and the difficulties of trying to obtain real knowledge about the prognosis of the disease, the film does not condemn or complain. Its subject is alternately revealed and related as Perry addresses the viewer in a manner which seems spontaneous and direct. His introspective observations are fascinating, humorous, moving and insightful. There is an uncanny lack of self-pity. Indeed the resoluteness with which he faces the various stages of his illness would be inspiring if this work was attempting to be merely sentimental or melodramatic Instead the effect is a thought provoking and ultimately touching realization of the preciousness of life. which leads us to profoundly respect both the man and the filmmaker.

Saturday Jan 23 1:30 pm
Holiday Village Cinema III

Monday Jan 25 1:15 pm
Holiday Village Cinema II

Wednesday Jan 21 4:30 pm
Holiday Village Cinema III

Friday Jan 29 3:00 pm
Prospector Square Theatre

$6.00

— Geoffrey Gilmore

Screening Details

Credits

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