The Way We Were (1973)

Introduction

The Way We Were is a film that pulses with nostalgia, regret, and yearning—an earnest, bittersweet exploration of love that could not withstand the weight of time and ideology. Directed by Sydney Pollack and released in 1973, it pairs two major stars at the peak of their magnetism: Barbra Streisand, with her fiercely intelligent presence, and Robert Redford, at his most golden and effortlessly charismatic. Together, they anchor a story of mismatched lovers whose political and personal differences mirror America’s own turbulent mid-century contradictions.

Though often remembered today for its iconic theme song and final, aching scene, The Way We Were is more than a sentimental romance—it is a chronicle of post war American idealism and disillusionment. With a screenplay by Arthur Laurents and music by Marvin Hamlisch, the film captures the loss not only of a relationship, but of a certain kind of idealism that once seemed worth fighting for.

Plot Summary

The story unfolds in a nonlinear fashion, beginning with a chance meeting between former lovers Katie Morosky (Barbra Streisand) and Hubbell Gardiner (Robert Redford) in the 1950s. As they reminisce, the film flashes back to their college days in the 1930s. Katie is a passionate, politically active Marxist and Jewish intellectual—sharp-tongued, uncompromising, and socially awkward. Hubbell is the opposite: a WASP golden boy, effortlessly talented, charming, and apolitical, a gifted writer coasting on privilege and looks.

Their worlds collide more than once, and despite (or perhaps because of) their differences, a romantic relationship eventually develops. During World War II, they reconnect in New York and marry. But even as they build a life together, the cracks in their foundation become harder to ignore. Katie’s commitment to justice and political activism clashes with Hubbell’s desire for a quieter, less complicated existence. As McCarthyism spreads and the entertainment industry comes under scrutiny, their opposing values lead to a painful and inevitable parting.

Performances

Barbra Streisand delivers one of her finest performances as Katie—a role that plays to her strengths as both an actress and a symbol. Streisand makes Katie intellectually formidable, emotionally vulnerable, and politically sincere. Her performance is deeply lived-in, and she transcends stereotype by making Katie’s passion admirable even when it becomes overbearing. This was Streisand at her dramatic peak: fiery, specific, and heartbreakingly human.

Robert Redford, in contrast, is the embodiment of restrained allure. As Hubbell, Redford walks the fine line between likability and passive complicity. His character may frustrate viewers—he often retreats from conflict and shirks moral responsibility—but Redford ensures that Hubbell’s quiet despair and self-loathing are always just beneath the surface. The chemistry between Redford and Streisand is palpable and essential; their opposing energies create both the film’s dramatic tension and its romantic electricity.

Direction and Style

Sydney Pollack, known for his intelligent handling of character-driven drama, brings a subtle, observant touch to the film. He allows the romance to unfold organically while never losing sight of the larger historical forces at play. Pollack’s direction is understated but confident—he wisely avoids melodrama, letting the performances and dialogue carry emotional weight.

The cinematography by Harry Stradling Jr. is lush and handsome, bathing the characters in golden light and emphasizing both the glamour and hollowness of their shared world. The film captures the changing eras with elegance, from Depression-era college campuses to post war Manhattan and 1950s Hollywood.

Music and Score

Few film songs are as synonymous with a film as “The Way We Were,” composed by Marvin Hamlisch with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman. The song not only underscores the film’s mood but distils its essence: a yearning for something beautiful and painful that can never quite be reclaimed. Hamlisch’s score—soft, melancholic, but never intrusive—perfectly complements the film’s reflective tone.

The song won the Academy Award for Best Original Song, and Hamlisch also won Best Original Score, making music a central emotional driver of the film’s success.

Themes

Love vs. Ideology: At its heart, the film asks whether love can survive fundamental philosophical differences. Katie and Hubbell care deeply for each other, but they cannot reconcile who they are at their core.

Nostalgia and Regret: The film is framed as a remembrance, tinged with melancholy. It suggests that even the most passionate relationships can become “too complicated” to last—and that some partings are less about failure than the inevitability of divergence.

Class, Privilege, and Politics: Katie’s Jewish working-class background and activism contrast sharply with Hubbell’s upper-class ease. These disparities are not only personal but emblematic of larger American social divisions in the mid-20th century.

The Compromise of Ambition: Hubbell’s writing talent, left largely unexplored due to fear and complacency, becomes a metaphor for the compromises people make to fit in. Katie, by contrast, refuses to compromise—perhaps to a fault.

Cultural Context and Reception

The Way We Were was a box office success upon its release and earned six Academy Award nominations, winning two. It was particularly resonant for audiences emerging from the Vietnam era, civil rights struggles, and political disillusionment. Katie’s passionate activism and ultimate isolation echoed the experience of many Americans who had once believed deeply in a cause, only to feel alienated as the country moved on.

Though some critics found the film uneven or overly sentimental, its emotional honesty and star chemistry earned it a lasting place in the American cinematic canon. It is now regarded as a classic romantic drama and a cultural touchstone for its generation.

Final Verdict

The Way We Were is a poignant, intelligent, and beautifully acted romantic drama that captures the fragility of love in the face of personal conviction and historical upheaval. Streisand and Redford bring their characters to life with nuance and grace, and Sydney Pollack directs with emotional clarity. It is a film of quiet devastations—of mismatched souls, impossible love, and the way memory both comforts and wounds.

An unforgettable romance wrapped in political consciousness, rich in emotion and cultural resonance.