The Way We Were (1973)

Directed by: Sydney Pollack | 118 minutes | drama, romance, musical | Actors: Barbra Streisand, Robert Redford, Bradford Dillman, Lois Chilis, Patrick O’Neal, Viveca Lindfors, Allyn Ann McLerie, Murray Hamilton, Herb Edelman, Diana Ewing, Sally Kirkland, Marcia Mae Jones, Don Keefer, George Gaynes, Eric Boles Barbara Peterson, Roy Jenson, Brendan Kelly, James Woods, Constance Forslund, Robert Gerringer, Susan Blakely, Edward Power, Susanne Zenor, Dan Seymour

We are raised on fairy tales with the ‘and-they-lived-long-and-happy ending’. You would almost think that every romantically conquered love ends well. You guessed it: in ‘The Way We Were’ it is different. Kate and Hubbell’s infatuation in college is endearing, the freshly baked relationship is enviable, the early years fantastic and the end heartbreaking. And the most horrible thing about the film – it’s all so realistic.

Hubbell and Kate’s relationship goes through all phases. It starts with the love that left-wing, fanatical student Kate feels for the right-wing, athletic Hubbell. It remains an unspoken love. After all, he does not suit her, she has ideals and points of view regarding politics and the approaching Second World War. He just wants to graduate, do some sports and meet up with friends. But his silent glances when his friends ridicule her reveal that he too has deeper feelings.

Years later they meet again. The United States is now also embroiled in the Great War. Hubbell is in the military and she works as a volunteer in New York, where there is a lot of scarcity. They meet again at a dance. And even though Hubbell is drunk when he goes home with Kate, they have a fantastic romance when he’s sober again.

But blood creeps where it can’t go. Kate continues to be a person of strong opinions and she also wants Hubbell to do the utmost to get the most out of life and herself. He doesn’t have to be so pompous and he is happy with his career opportunities in Hollywood. Eventually they grow apart.

Where does the power of ‘The Way We Were’ lie? Robert Redford can turn a character like Hubbell into a believable personality like no other. Played by someone else, he would soon be a weak guy. Barbra Sreisand is a better singer than an actress, but the role of fanatical Kate suits her well.

The American ideal – you can make your dreams come true – is an important one in ‘The Way We Were’. She manages to keep her head above water during her studies by holding various jobs. After the war he managed to sell his stories to magazines and started writing for a large film studio. However, hard work does not save their relationship. Frustrating and painful, especially when they meet again on the street years later. Get the Kleenex ready.