Friday Spotlight: Redford & Newman

I’ve said it over and over—chemistry is a vital component to film. It propels the plot forward, breathing energy into the story and engaging the audience. It’s something that can’t be manufactured and more importantly, it doesn’t just apply between men and women. After all, one of my favorite onscreen duos is two men—two legends—Robert Redford and Paul Newman.

Not quite as idealized as Butch and Sundance, Redford and Newman have a captivating camaraderie that makes it hard for me to choose which of their two films together is my favorite. They made outlaws lovable in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) and made con men convincingly attractive in The Sting (1973).

How many films can you say that about?

Newman’s innate likeability and comedic timing plays off Redford’s effortless charisma and one-liner comebacks flawlessly. Their work together is as smooth as the memorable Oscar-winning melodies in their films.

So what is it exactly that make them so fantastic together? It goes beyond their devastatingly handsome good looks.

First, they are both undeniable talents who can give one hell of a performance on their own. You have to be great on your own to be great with someone else. Second, they each had a consummate sense of craft understanding the deeper meaning of film. This translated to effortless performances on screen. Third, and probably most importantly, they just had that spark together naturally. Having never met before their first day on the set of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, they clicked right away behind the camera and became lifelong friends.

Although they only made two films together, the impact of their dynamic has lasted through time as an inspiration and emulation hard to live up to for all the buddy films that followed.

#robertredford #paulnewman #chemistry #classicfilm #butchcassidyandthesundancekid #thesting