The Way They Are: Streisand & Redford

As my first post, I decided to write about one of my top five favorite classic films, Sydney Pollack’s 1973 romantic drama The Way We Were starring Barbra Streisand and Robert Redford.

Regarded as one of the greatest love stories in cinematic history by the American Film Institute, The Way We Were follows the romance of two opposites set against a political backdrop from the late 1930s to the 1960s. Streisand plays vocal, liberal activist Katie Morosky, while Redford inhabits the role of carefree golden boy Hubbell Gardner. Together, they light up the screen falling head over heels in love into a passionate, tumultuous, but ultimately ill-fated romance that will leave you breathless.

The chemistry between Streisand and Redford is the heart of this film, enhanced by a beautiful script by Arthur Laurents, superior direction from Sydney Pollack and a moving Oscar winning score from Marvin Hamlisch. There is no other film like it, which is why it is one of my all time favorites. No matter how many times I watch it, it always makes me think about these two characters well after the film has ended.

Nominated for the 1974 Best Lead Actress Oscar in one of her first dramatic roles, Streisand gives one of the greatest performances of her career as Katie Morosky. We caught a glimpse of her dramatic acting in Funny Girl, but this role is a true testament to not only her intuitive acting talent, but also her versatility between genres.

As one of the first openly Jewish actresses in Hollywood, Streisand was born to play this part. She inherently connects to the character’s background and cares about her passions. Katie could easily become strident at times, but Streisand brings softness and vulnerability to her fiery persona that makes you enjoy her.

Redford actually turned down the role of Hubbell Gardner several times. Afraid of being typecast into the same pretty boy stereotype, he was hesitant to accept the part. But, thank goodness he did, or we would never have been able to witness this beautiful onscreen romance.

Hubbell marked Redford’s first dramatic romantic lead role in a film and he does not disappoint. Charming, naturally magnetic and devastatingly handsome, Redford brings dimension and depth to Hubbell with an innate honesty and an easygoing nature that complements Katie’s more serious demeanor.

I don’t think Streisand or Redford has ever reached such great heights of chemistry onscreen with other co-stars. Some have come close but don’t achieve the magic these two have together. In an interview about the film, Streisand explained that she and Redford are naturally opposites and neither one of them wanted to learn too much about each other before the film started, so the mystery would play out on the screen.

Katie and Hubbell beautifully illustrate the attraction of opposites. They are physically opposite, a blonde and a brunette, emotionally opposite, highly emotional and stoic and politically opposite, she takes a strong stance on politics, whereas he doesn’t want to get too involved. Although they have different worldviews, they are both passionate people. The tension of their differences and deep love for one another creates an energy that transcends the screen.

Their story unfolds over three decades, starting when they meet during college. Living in two different worlds, there is an instant connection between Katie, the Jewish, liberal outcast and Hubbell, the preppy jock to whom everything comes easy. He is drawn to her passion, while she is captivated by his literary gift and charm.

The romance begins years later in NYC, where Katie reveals she has one of the few published copies of Hubbell’s book. She believes in his talent and really pushes him to be his best. This brings to the surface again the attraction of opposites. Opposites bring out the best in each other since each has what the other is lacking. Since Hubbell is unsure of his abilities, he is inspired by Katie’s belief in him.

If I would have to choose one word to describe Katie, it would be “committed.” She is devoted to helping Hubbell achieve his greatness. I think people subconsciously or maybe consciously fall in love with their teachers or people who bring out the best in them. Streisand brings a mentoring quality to Katie that motivates Hubbell, which he craves.

When Hubbell’s screen writing career takes them to California amidst the chaos of the Hollywood blacklist period, Katie’s political activism heats up, complicating their relationship and his career. The tension of opposites comes to the surface again with the clash of their contrasting ideologies, resulting in an erratic relationship will keep you on the edge of you seat.

Through the ups and downs of their love affair, you never once question how Hubbell feels about Katie because of Streisand and Redford’s undeniable chemistry. Hubbell never tells Katie the words “I love you,” but you intuitively know he does. Redford does a remarkable job of emotionally conveying his love for Katie through his exquisite reflective acting.

But is love enough sometimes? I don’t know, but you’ll be fighting for them to make it as their relationship deteriorates before your eyes.

They brilliantly encapsulate the emotional struggle between opposites in several highly passionate scenes, but most memorably in the final scene. Still one of the most famed moments in movie history, Katie and Hubbell embrace in front of the Plaza Hotel in NYC. In the silence of their embrace, the amount of yearning between the two characters is palpable due to Streisand’s impeccable emotional execution and Redford’s subtle anguish that, quite honestly, chokes me up. Every single time.

I have seen this movie countless times and it always makes me think. When the credits start to roll, I start to question, “Can’t love be enough”? How can two people who had such passion for each other not overcome their differences and be together? Should passion for a belief come before passion for another person?

With two towering performances at its core, The Way We Were is a film that will stimulate you and move you at the same time. And, isn’t that the point of film, to touch the audience? After you watch it, you’ll be wondering about these characters, wanting more Streisand and Redford together.

#robertredford #barbrastreisand #sydneypollack #thewaywewere