Chantilly Bridge

Chantilly Bridge is a subtle movie, crafted by director Linda Yellen and an ensemble of talented women. The movie is a follow-up to the gem from 30 years ago, Chantilly Lace. The old friends introduced to us in Chantilly Lace get back together to grieve the dead, remember old times, and to share life stories - the way one only can with their oldest and truest friends. Where Chantilly Lace showed us women dealing with transitions - losing a job, losing faith, discovering sexual identity and facing illness and death - Chantilly Bridge let's us eavesdrop on their reflections of life experiences. They reunite in the middle of winter, and, metaphorically, in the winter of their lives. The accomplished cast, including 6 of the 7 actresses from Chantilly Lace plus the talented Patricia Richardson and Naaji Sky Adzimah, tell these stories themselves in a movie that is largely unscripted. Meaningful scenes, beautifully acted.

"Chantilly Bridge," the sequel to "Chantilly Lace" (1993), is the story of a group of friends facing late middle age and older, the problems and issues that happen along the way. The all-woman cast shows a friendship that has endured for all of their lives and the movie depicts this and how they are always there for each other - good and bad. "Chantilly Bridge" shows the love they have for one another. The women gather to pay tribute to Ruth and to help her daughter, Shelley (Patricia Richardson) pack up her mom's belongings and sell her home. The issues that are brought up in this movie are poignant and have real world substance. These lifelong friends reminisce, discuss life altering events in their lives and just being themselves as only old friends can do. It is a moving and thought-provoking movie.

Director Linda Yellen shot the film in a small town in Northern New York during winter. The movie features a lot of improvisation, and the all-women cast worked together to develop their characters and their concerns. This way of filming the movie gives it authenticity and sincerity.

This is a movie I would strongly recommend seeing.

I had the opportunity to see Chantilly Bridge at a screening in NYC at the Village East (a father-daughter event). It was a beautifully made movie, wonderful cast, and a great follow-up to Chantilly Lace (which I had seen earlier in the week, but my daughter had not). BOTH of us enjoyed the movie thoroughly, and found the stories compelling, the acting very "real" (and as much of it was unscripted, that added to the authenticity), and while filled with feminist themes and lots of "girl-bonding", it was not just a "Chick flick"! Definitely worth seeing, and loved the addition of Patricia Richardson to the ensemble cast!

Good cast, great acting, a moving story of female friendship enduring through time. It feels "real" as if you were eavesdropping on a group of old friends who really care for each other. They have not met together in 25 years - that was the time of the first movie, Chantilly Lace, when they were in their forties and fiery. Fiery they still are. Jill Eikenberry, Talia Shire, Lindsay Crouse, Helen Slater pick up their roles as if they had never ceased to inhabit them. They are joined by Patricia Richardson and Naaji Kenn. It's rare to see actors so clearly at ease in their roles that they don't seem to be acting. Is it based on a real story? Asked the woman seated beside me today. They are getting older and their questions reflect that as they tangle with the fear of losing a job, the reality of being fired, the possible staleness of a long marriage. They share intimate secrets and sexual fantasies. What does it mean to get older and to fear becoming invisible. They truly like each other and will keep fighting for the right to a fulfilling life.

Chantilly Bridge is a must see for anyone who cares for a group of women wonderfully alive and moving - great actors doing their best under the caring eye of director Linda Yellen.

Chantilly Bridge is a rare gem of a movie! It's extraordinary cast of women create a story that is warm, intimate and compelling. My wife and I were both equally captivated by the timeless quality of the performances and the real-life character issues that resonate with us all. Even the dialogue sounds natural and unaffected - probably because these remarkable actors were challenged by director Linda Yellin to use their own words. As a result, each of the film's well-photographed scenes reverberates with a gentle authenticity that will draw you in. And the music too is a treat as it's provided by the great Judy Collins, sounding as wonderful as ever. If you're looking for a beautiful film made for adults, let us highly recommend Chantilly Bridge!