The Golden Gate Bridge is an
iconic structure; a symbol of San Francisco, the West, freedom and
something more, something spiritual, something words cannot describe.
The
director and crew spent an entire year focusing on the Bridge. Running
cameras for almost every daylight minute, they documented nearly two
dozen suicides and a great many unrealized attempts. In addition, the
director captured nearly 100 hours of incredibly frank, deeply personal,
often heart-wrenching interviews with the families and friends of the
departed, as well as with several of the attempters themselves.
THE
BRIDGE is a visual and visceral journey into one of lifes gravest
taboos, offering glimpses into the darkest, and possibly most
impenetrable corners of the human mind.
Director Eric Steel has succeeded in making one of the most morbid documentaries ever, The Bridge. Starring several deceased Golden Gate Bridge jumpers, The Bridge is a eulogy comprised of interviews with their loved ones and friends who reminisce about those who succeeded in committing suicide in the San Francisco Bay. Spliced between interview footage are shots of the bridge in all its majesty, surrounded by fog, and being enjoyed by tourists. Meant to represent The Bridge as a rounded character, one of beauty punctuated by tragedy, this film is assuredly touching for the affected families.
As a conceptual investigation into suicidal motivations, the documentary succeeds, though midway through viewing, one begins to feel like an interloper at various funerals. We hear of one woman's battle with schizophrenia, another man's death obsession, and several retellings of those who witnessed the horrendous events. Like Grey Gardens, The Bridge captivates by triggering one's love of sensationalism, but fortunately the film's sincerity undercuts any inkling of gossip column crime reporting. This tribute to suicide victims serves as an oblique tribute to The Bridge, as an honest portrayal of its history, gritty though important to remember.