In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

Blistering performances.

I re-watched the Way We Were last night and came away with these thoughts. It is visually a very well made movie and Redford and Streisand are both very good and have great on screen chemistry. It is at the end of the day a good love story. However the story is very uneven. I felt the second half of the movie was not nearly as good as the first. Some of the motivations for Katie and Hubell didn't always make sense and seem to be over done. Hubell no really wanting to see his baby or have anything to do with it at the end painted him to be a little bit of a jerk which is not the best way to end it.

The Way We Were (1973): Dir: Sydney Pollack / Cast: Barbra Streisand, Robert Redford, Bradford Dillman, Lois Chiles, Patrick O'Neal: An opposites attract romance where the male cannot commit himself yet he can sleep with the woman in question. Romance reflecting upon nicer times that grow into loveless empty worlds. Barbra Streisand plays a political activist and Robert Redford plays a Hollywood screenwriter whom she knew long ago. They get reacquainted and romance blooms but they share different views on political issues. Directed with insight by Sydney Pollack who previously made Jeremiah Johnson and They Shoot Horses Don't They? While his talent brings out the theme, the screenplay blemishes the theme with its formula driven romantic drivel. Streisand plays her role with zest and intelligence but when she becomes pregnant Redford is unable to be there thus concluding upon bypassed responsibility. Redford is a fine actor but here he plays a guy who is unlikable and unsympathetic. Supporting roles are also flat with Bradford Dillman and Lois Chiles among others basically filling space. This film isn't very romantic by any means but it does feature the inspiring vocals of Streisand within the film's signature song. Although its romantic themes diminish it does reflect upon missed opportunities and moving on with hidden regret. Score: 5 ½ / 10

It's been many years since I saw 'The Way We Were" I finally found a copy on DVD and watched it again in it's entirety. This is a real film makers movie based on the two most important things in film - script and character. It is very cleverly written. Full of emotion. While the two main characters are totally opposite, they attract each other for some strange reason, which of course does happen in real life. But the reality of real life does intervene and in the end, they realize they just can't continue. It's a bitter sweet ending. The final scene is one of the most well known, poignant scenes in film history. The theme song says it all, "would we, could we." It's a real slice of life, although a little more dramatic than most of us really ever go through. A must for any film buff's collection.

I was relatively young when this film first came out. I, like many others, thought it was great, and loved Streisand and Redford and the theme song. I recently saw TWWW again, nearly 40 years later, and my opinion has changed dramatically. I cannot deny that Redford and Streisand definitely seem to have some kind of chemistry. And, as I felt the first time, Barbra represented every ugly duckling, gay or straight, who somehow manages to capture the prize. Via Barbra's performance, we can easily imagine what it must have been like to lie down with a prince. This, I think, may be one reason why the film had a certain level of success. Barbra also had moments where she "spoke the truth" with passion and intensity. I think people related to this outspokenness, this gutsiness, this willingness to take chances and not apologize for one's opinions. Barbra was also the "outsider" -- she was the smart Jewish girl who knew she had to work harder, study more, and fight for what she wanted, because nothing would come to her easily. It is for these reasons why I think the movie resonated. But the reality is: The movie is not about anything, not really. What, exactly, is the plot? They meet in school, they meet years later, they fall in love, they get married, he has an affair, they divorce, they meet again... okay, so what? Barbra, who does have tons of talent, but in this film looked like she was performing her graduate project for Acting 101, spends a lot of time arguing and getting upset about things. But whatever those things are seem to be only tangentially connected/related to the rest of the story (if you can call it that). Bob, yes, stunning to look at, coasts through the film with little to do or say. He didn't want to do the film, and I can see why. Yeah, he looks great, but what is the emotional arc of his character? A lot was cut from this film and as a result, it seems disjointed. There is an inordinate amount of time spent on Bob's career as a screenwriter in Hollywood while a pregnant Barbra tends to their little beach house. And yet everyone seems miserable and unhappy. Voices were raised, but nothing really happens. Near the end when Barbra has apparently given birth to their child (after it's clear that their relationship is over), Bob shows up at the hospital. Barbra is perfectly coiffed and made-up as if she's just come back from a spa. He stands there, emotionless, ready to abandon her and their newborn child. We're supposed to like him? I couldn't stand him. In fact, James Wood, who we meet early on in the film, who seems to be Barbra's quasi-boyfriend in college and who seems to support everything she was trying to do, is clearly a better man for her--but he wasn't as handsome. Life is cruel, isn't it? Finally, the theme song: Yes, it is a beautiful song for what it is and Barbra sings it beautifully. Who knew that it would become an iconic song and help define her career? She didn't even want to sing the song--she felt it was too simple. She had to be talked into it. So, finally, in the end, what are we left with? A unique opportunity to see Barbra and Bob dressing in period costumes, lots of bad, bad lighting, a plot-less rambling "story" that does not stay any one place long enough for us to care about much of anything, lots of intense arguing and challenging others from Barbra, and lots of stoic looks from Bob. And yet, it was a big hit. Like I said at the beginning, it was Barbra's "ugly duckling" status and "landing the prince" that I think resonated with a large part of the audience. At least it did with me... back then. At this point in time, I just kind of stared at it in amazement and said, "What exactly is this all about?"