Trivia / The Bridges of Madison County

• Dyeing for Your Art: Meryl Streep allegedly put on 15-20 pounds of weight for her role in this film as a middle-aged housewife.
• Fake Nationality: American Meryl Streep as Italian Francesca. Another American, this time legendary leading lady Kelli O'Hara, also originated the role in the musical.
• Playing Against Type: Some critics were skeptical about Dirty Harry casting himself as a romantic lead. Eastwood himself has stated that this movie is as close as he has ever been to playing himself.
• Real-Life Relative: Clint and Kyle Eastwood.
• What Could Have Been:
  • Robert Redford was originally set to direct and star in the film.
  • Jacqueline Bisset, Cher, Glenn Close, Catherine Deneuve, Anjelica Huston, Jessica Lange, Isabella Rossellini, Susan Sarandon and Kathleen Turner were considered for Francesca Johnson.
  • Sydney Pollack was going to direct at one stage.

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