The Way We Were [1973]

On the DVD: The DVD re-release includes the usual subtitling facilities, the theatre trailer and a documentary on the film's making, which includes one of the more political scenes deleted for commercial release; it is also possible to watch the film with a detailed commentary from Sydney Pollack about the problems of its making, problems which included writing new scenes so that Redford was not entirely upstaged by Streisand in the audience's sympathies. --Roz Kaveney

In this film, revolving around the class of 1937, Katie Morosky (Barbra Streisand) is a strident, political activist who is way to the left. Working her way through college, Katie is not the most popular figure on campus, but rather, the butt of jokes, often at her expense. She is a young, working class, Jewish woman with an edge and a bit of a chip on her shoulder. Humorless and dour, with her wild fro of hair, she is an individualist who is dedicated to causes that she feels will make the world a better place. She does not hesitate to speak her mind. This stance often finds her on the outside looking in.

Hubbell Gardner (Robert Redford), on the other hand, is the quintessential Wasp, living the American dream. Blessed with All-American, golden boy good looks, charm, and grace, burnished by privilege, Hubbell is a poster boy for the old guard. He is a living icon for Wasp values. He is more than the sum of his parts, however, as he is also an aspiring writer with a way with words. While Katie, undeniably, has a crush on him, she despises his world. Hubbell, ever the gentleman, sees a spark in Katie that somehow draws him to her. Yet, while in college they are never more than passing acquaintances.

Years later, they meet up again. This time, Katie has since improved her appearance, and Hubbell has written his first book. Katie is still sweet on Hubbell, and her energy, intensity, and zest for life attract him.

This is an entertaining film in which romance and love are played out against a backdrop of historical events. Both Katie and Hubbell are caught in a wave of social issues that sweep both them and the nation and provide the background against which the embers of their love initially flame up only to smother and die a painful death .

Robert Redford is terrific as the golden boy whose dreams were not the dreams of the woman that he married. His is a well-nuanced, sensitive performance. The viewer can certainly see why Katie would fall in love with him. Barbra Streisand, on the other hand, is really just playing the same role that she played in all her early films with an added passion that resonates throughout the film. At times, however, I found her performance grating.

The title song of this film adds to its bittersweet quality and went on to win an Academy Award in 1973 for Best Song. Sung by Ms. Streisand, it became a chart topping hit.


a must for every Streisand fan   November 8, 2000
leonard.member1@freeler.nl (Netherlands)
8 out of 12 found this review helpful

This is the way all Streisand films should be seen - on DVD! Pristine digital transfer, widescreen and Dolby Digital sound! This is one of the DVD's that make the most of this format - Theatrical trailers of WWW, Theatrical trailers of 3 Streisand films, Director commentary from Sydney Pollack, and New Making of Documentary (with interviews from Arthur Laurents, Sydney Pollack and Barbra Streisand). Here Streisand talks about deleted scenes - and you get to see them!! This is one of the most romantic films from the 70's and one of Streisand's best! Go buy it!


OPPOSITES ATTRACT...   March 31, 2003
Lawyeraau (Balmoral Castle)
8 out of 11 found this review helpful

This film, starring Barbra Streisand and Robert Redford, helped propel Redford to superstardom. While Barbra Streisand was already a superstar, with the release of both The Sting and The Way We Were in 1973, Robert Redford's future in the film industry was assured.

In this film, revolving around the class of 1937, Katie Morosky (Barbra Streisand) is a strident, political activist who is way to the left. Working her way through college, Katie is not the most popular figure on campus, but rather, the butt of jokes, often at her expense. She is a young, working class, Jewish woman with an edge and a bit of a chip on her shoulder. Humorless and dour, with her wild fro of hair, she is an individualist who is dedicated to causes that she feels will make the world a better place. She does not hesitate to speak her mind. This stance often finds her on the outside looking in.

Hubbell Gardner (Robert Redford), on the other hand, is the quintessential Wasp, living the American dream. Blessed with All-American, golden boy good looks, charm, and grace, burnished by privilege, Hubbell is a poster boy for the old guard. He is a living icon for Wasp values. He is more than the sum of his parts, however, as he is also an aspiring writer with a way with words. While Katie, undeniably, has a crush on him, she despises his world. Hubbell, ever the gentleman, sees a spark in Katie that somehow draws him to her. Yet, while in college they are never more than passing acquaintances.

Years later, they meet up again. This time, Katie has since improved her appearance, and Hubbell has written his first book. Katie is still sweet on Hubbell, and her energy, intensity, and zest for life attract him. They fall in love, but their relationship is never a comfortable fit, as their values are too different. Still, they marry and limp along for years, each growing more disillusioned with the other, as they each stay true to their own ideologically divergent natures. The very qualities that make them unique and attractive to each other, however, will be the ones that will signal the beginning of the end of their bittersweet relationship.

This is an entertaining film in which romance and love are played out against a backdrop of historical events. Both Katie and Hubbell are caught in a wave of social issues that sweep both them and the nation and provide the background against which the embers of their love initially flame up only to smother and die a painful death .

Robert Redford is terrific as the golden boy whose dreams were not the dreams of the woman that he married. His is a well-nuanced, sensitive performance. The viewer can certainly see why Katie would fall in love with him. Barbra Streisand, on the other hand, is really just playing the same role that she played in all her early films with an added passion that resonates throughout the film. At times, however, I found her performance grating.

The title song of this film adds to its bittersweet quality and went on to win an Academy Award in 1973 for Best Song. Sung by Ms. Streisand, it became a chart topping hit.


A Classic Love Story!   January 25, 2003
4 out of 5 found this review helpful

This I feel is one of the best performances Streisand has ever given, it is a real heart warming experience to watch. It comes as no suprise that it was awarded an Oscar for its amazing soundtrack that includes the song 'The way we were' sung by Streisand herself, Staring opposite Streisand is none other than the golden boy of Hollywood himself 'Robert Redford'. Set in war time America, with Katie Morosky 'Streisand' and Hubbell Gardiner 'Redford' as college students battling many a political issue and fighting to overcome many boundaries, this film shows how opposites really do attract. This is a must buy movie for any 'Streisand' and 'Redford' fans alike!


Fab!!!   May 24, 2006
Gabzie32 (London, England)
2 out of 3 found this review helpful

I loved this movie! nicely acted and love the stor behind it. Streisand once again pulls at the heart strings with a great perfomance, winning her an Oscar nomination for best actress. Streisand also provides the famous song, which is beautifully sung! You should watch this movie, an all time personall favourite! Brilliant classic, watch it!