The Way We Were – 1973
Director
Sydney Pollack

Writer
Arthur Laurents

Cast
Barbra Streisand
Robert Redford
Bradford Dillman

Review by Wayne Malin

Mixed feelings,
Love story mixed with politics. Radical Barbra Streisand falls for all-American boy Robert Redford. It chronicles their relationship from the 1930s to the 1950s. They love each other but her political commitment bothers him–can their relationship survive?

On one hand I love this movie–the title song is wonderful (of course); Streisand and Redford do have chemistry between them; the script is sharp and intelligent; the film looks absolutely beautiful with particular care and attention given to the clothes and settings; it doesn’t downplay the politics; the romance never becomes too mushy–but this movie left me kind of cold.

I never really believed Redford and Streisand were lovers–they DO have chemistry and she gives out a great performance–but Redford is so stone-faced I didn’t know how to take him. Also there was severe cutting in the last reel leaving some serious plot holes. So Redford’s non-acting and the plot loopholes seriously damage the film.

Still it’s worth seeing for all the other actors–all of whom are excellent (especially a very young James Woods and Lois Chiles) and some truly romantic love scenes. And, again, the beautiful title song.