Review of The Way We Were (1973) by Mark P — 29 Sep 2017

A movie that defined a moment in time for the decade. Anyone that didn't live to see this first release couldn't really comprehend it. That leaves out most RT folk sad to say.

James Woods plays a part in this to great effect.

When you have serious disagreements politically, philosophically or in any other way with your new found girl/guy friend.... brother now you know its time to bail out! ...... And sooner rather than later.

In this film the characters find that prescription all too late. Their differences are immense: she is a stridently vocal Marxist Jew with strong anti-war opinions, and he is a carefree WASP with no particular political bent.

She is drawn to him because of his boyish good looks and his natural writing skill, which she finds captivating, although he doesn't work very hard at it. He is intrigued by her conviction and her determination to persuade others to take up social causes.

But the charm of the plot is that they come to realize that their best years and affection came despite all that difference. They were attracted to each other for the same reasons men and woman have been getting together for centuries.... they like each other.

I found this story to be touching and remarkably realistic. I want to watch it again after 30 some odd years of not seeing it. Sappy as it once seemed to be, this tear jerker is as up to date as any out there, with legendary actors to boot.

First class cinematography too. Streisand had a big hit with the soundtrack theme song which she sings wonderfully.

NOTES about the film:

1 The Way We Were is a 1973 American romantic dramatic film, starring Barbra Streisand and Robert Redford, and directed by Sydney Pollack.

2 The screenplay by Arthur Laurents was based on his college days at Cornell University and his experiences with the House Un-American Activities Committee.

3 A box office success, the film was nominated for several awards and won the Academy Award for Best Original Dramatic Score and Best Original Song for "The Way We Were". The soundtrack recording charted for 23 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 and eventually sold in excess of one million copies.

Cast.

Barbra Streisand ..... Katie Morosky.

Robert Redford ..... Hubbell Gardiner.

Patrick O'Neal ..... George Bissinger.

Sally Kirkland ..... Pony Dunbar.

James Woods ..... Frankie McVeigh.

Susan Blakely ..... Judianne.

Bradford Dillman ..... J.J.

Lois Chiles ..... Carol Ann.

Viveca Lindfors ..... Paula Reisner.

Allyn Ann McLerie ..... Rhea Edwards.

Murray Hamilton ..... Brooks Carpenter.

Herb Edelman ..... Bill Verso.

Directed by Sydney Pollack.

Produced by Ray Stark.

Written by Arthur Laurents.

Music by Marvin Hamlisch.

Cinematography Harry Stradling, Jr.

Editing by John F. Burnett.

Margaret Booth (supervising).

Studio Rastar.

Distributed by Columbia Pictures.

Release date(s) October 19, 1973.

Running time 118 minutes.

Language English.

Budget $15 million.

Box office $49,919,870.