The Bridge of San Luis Rey

Near Lima, Peru, at noon on Friday, 20 July 1714, a bridge woven by the Incas a century earlier collapses while five people are crossing it: Dona Maria (Kathy Bates), the Marquess of Montemayor; Pepita (Adriana Dominguez), her lady in attendance; Esteban (Michael Polish), a scribe; Uncle Pio (Harvey Keitel); and a young child. The collapse is witnessed by Brother Juniper (Gabriel Byrne), a Franciscan friar, who was on his way to cross it. Curious about why God would allow such a tragedy, he decides to take a scientific approach to the question. He sets out to interview those who knew the five victims. During the subsequent six years, Brother Juniper has managed to compile a huge book questioning if we live our lives according to a plan or if there is no such thing as a bigger scheme.