The Bridge (DVD REVIEW)
The Bridge
DVD Review by Kam Williams
Haunting Documentary Dedicated to Suicidal Golden Gate Jumpers
If you wanted to
end it all, where would you want to do it? For some reason, more people choose
the Golden Gate Bridge than any other locale.
And after watching The Bridge one can easily understand the allure
of that irresistible icon as a launching pad into San Francisco Bay.
Directed by Eric
Steel, this fascinating film transfixes you from start to finish, focusing on
24 individuals who chose to end their lives there in 2004. Remarkably, Kevin
Hines somehow survived the plunge, after being saved by a seal that kept him afloat,
and ferried him towards shore till help arrived. The others weren’t so lucky,
but that doesn’t make their back stories any less compelling.
What these
unfortunate souls seem to have in common is a bottoming-out whether due to
depression, unemployment, relationship woes, or all of the above. Shifting back
and forth between shots of the majestic, rust-colored structure and wistful
reminiscences by friends and family who invariably had hints as to what was
coming, director Steel cleverly creates an eerie, kinetic experience for the
viewer by capturing plenty of pedestrians on camera, whether they’re strolling
across the expansion, leaning over the catwalk, or peering into the void from
the fog-ensconced bridge.
You never know which one’s about
to leap to his or her death, so you have to keep your eyes glued to the screen,
guessing who’s next. Two dozen souls, linked by suicide as a seductive and very
visible alternative to unrelenting torment and suffering.
Excellent (4 stars)
Rated R for profanity and for disturbing footage of actual
suicides.
Running time: 94 minutes
Distributor:
Kino Lorber / Alive Mind Cinema
DVD
Extras: “Making of” documentary; and the theatrical trailer.
To
see a trailer of The Bridge, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJWJ-GWuews
To
order The Bridge on DVD, visit:
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