reviewscommentsratings This is probably one of the best films ever made on the subject of Suicide-especially documentaries-although that's probably a short list and, now that I think about it, I can't think of even one other documentary made solely about it. Visually it's very atmospheric and, as a New York Times reviewer called it "eerie and indelible," using the otherworldly imagery of San Francisco and its bay with its "foggy then sunny then foggy again" climate to visually suggest the shifting moods of the films subjects, to suggest the ephemeral quality of life itself and that is also evocative of perhaps how illusory any idea that one can ever totally understand all that one might like to about the troubling subject matter just might be.Before going any further, an important disclaimer needs to be made about this film. Much has been made about the footage showing actual deaths by suicide but that is just a part of this film. Indeed, one could (at least until it was eventually taken down) post a suicide compilation on YouTube and forgo any attempt to "tell a story" but that's not what the film is. Before you dismiss the film out of hand because you think that what it is, consider my opinion.For all the hoopla over suicides being filmed that is not even the real core (and strength) of The Bridge (or the part I'll take away from it)...it's the interviews. The interviews with victims' family members, friends and the witnesses that are the real heart of this film and give it's lasting impact and meaning. The film is not really about the actual act of killing one's self...it is about the emotional aftermath of doing so and the struggle of others to understand why. The interview and shots I'll probably never forget are of one of the survivor sisters trying to fathom how her sister could have jumped, since she considered herself to be stronger than her deceased sister, interspersed with shots taken from the bridge of the water waiting below from the POV of a jumper. To me, this visually underscored one of the main points of the film. If you're not truly suicidal, you'll never really "get" that decision or what really goes on in the head of someone who is.On the other hand, for me personally, this was the first time (despite school assemblies for suicide prevention that I've attended, etc.) that I've actually understood what suicide victims either: 1) can't comprehend; or 2) dismiss because they are "on 'their' own hype" as one jumper who actually survived puts it...the effects of their acts on their family, friends and even the startled people who witnessed their acts, which in one case involved a small child.In terms of a review, it's difficult to measure the films success because filmmaker Eric Steel doesn't either explicitly or strongly declare what message he is trying to send with the film. However, it's for precisely this reason and because of the understanding it imparted to me (and I believe will to others) that I consider it to be one of the best documentaries ever made. It's for this first reason too that I consider it far superior to any of Michael Moore's work, in which, he almost didactically tells you what he wants you to think after seeing his films.Several points of criticism needed to addressed here. First, that filmmakers didn't try to prevent the suicides. This is false. Steel said in a subsequent interview that the crew did report what was going when it happened. In regards to the film being exploitative, I simply disagree. The suicide footage is necessary to demonstrate both the magnitude of the problem (on the Golden Gate Bridge and in society, in general) and the fact that this actually happened...which is what makes a Documentary a Documentary and not a Narrative, fictional film.The last two criticisms are perhaps the strangest of all and come from government officials. The first is that Steel didn't tell them the true purpose for filming the bridge. The deceit in obtaining the film permit was necessitated by the larger problem...which is an issue in and of itself...that the authorities cover this problem up in regards to the Golden Gate Bridge. Of course, they justify this by saying media attention draws jumpers but it is worth noting that not one person in this film was alleged to have jumped simply because others had. Interestingly though, Steel himself seems to share this concern but cited this as the reasoning for not disclosing his real reason for filming.The final criticism, conveyed basically as a complaint/comment from a bridge official that the film was an "invasion of privacy" is not only strange...but preposterous. These people jumped off the Golden Gate Bridge in broad daylight at busy times...and in some cases, all but engaged stunned onlookers! There can be no more public means of taking one's own life. This had to factor into why they did what they did so they had no reasonable expectation of privacy in doing it.What about my recommendation? The Bridge is about difficult subject matter and may not be for everyone. However, if you want to understand the problem of suicide on the microcosm level...or just learn more about some of the darker aspects of the world we live in to get a better, more wholistic understanding of the world we live in...this is one of the best films for that. It is very effective and intelligent about its subject matter. It treats the suicide victims with respect, their families and others with compassion and does not glamorize suicide.

stevenbcarnes-936-294159 and that is that they have never suffered from suicide ideation or attempted suicide, as I have. If this movie makes you uncomfortable, that's great, it should. If you think it's little more than a "snuff film," than you didn't pay attention to almost anything anyone said in the movie. For every completed suicide in the United States there are at least 6 survivors. Among college students, there are between 20 and 200 attempts per death by suicide. This movie is in your face because suicide is still taboo. Families who suffer a suicide very often feel ashamed and even lie about how the person died. It's time to bring this out of the shadows and recognize that there are warning signs and people can be helped. There is nothing sensationalizing about this movie. It is dark and gritty, which is the world those who suffer from suicide ideation live in.

Irishchatter Honestly, you would feel sick after watching those poor individuals jump to their deaths and see how their grieving families have nothing but praise for their loved ones. I kept trying to find out answers in my head on why these people have chosen the Golden Gate Bridge? I'm guessing they probably just use that bridge because of how many feet it was from the bridge to the river. I mean, it is after all 4,200 feet!It just breaks me heart to think these people have ended their lives so suddenly. I know life isn't hunky dory but at the same time, it would've been 10 times better to talk to someone. Unfortunately they had went to the most devastating route that any other human being could experience of being in especially their families. If you ever feel suicidal, please please for your own sake, get help from someone because there is support waiting to hear from you ♡

MattyGibbs I was drawn to this film as it looked an interesting topic and whilst it had it's moments, I found it a strangely shallow and at times tedious documentary. I had expected to find out a bit more about the history of the bridge and it's relationship with suicide attempts. Instead it is just a few stories of survivors and the families of victims. Some of these are moderately interesting and some of them aren't. I found the lack of a narrator to be a major flaw with this film. It was really crying out for someone to narrate it and pull it all together instead it's just random clips jumbled together in no order. There are also too many shots of the bridge with music playing which just seems to be time-filling. This isn't a documentary I enjoyed which is disappointing as I was expecting to like it. There is some dramatic footage but this is not enough to cover the flaws with the film.