11.25.2007

Guilty Pleasure #6: Old Robert Redford Flicks

My Thanksgiving respite was full of divine food, lots of rest (think I'm coming down with something), a work-out by my favorite personal trainer (thanks, sister), and... an oldie, but a goodie, flick:

The Way We Were stars Barbra Streisand and Redford in a (a-hem) love story about two passionate souls whose convictions related to politics and dreams ultimately... Actually, I will not say, for I do not want to spoil it for YOU. But, I will say:

I love this movie.

I've caught it on television a handful of times, but I always missed the beginning. Not this time. I, thankfully, got to see it in its entirety.

The beginning of the movie shows Katie (Streisand) and Hubble (Redford) as students both caught up in entirely different worlds. (He's a star-athlete; she's an activist.) And yet... years later, they reunite and their relationship flourishes.

Plus... Redford is at his dreamy best. (And the funny thing is, I never fall for blondes. But, young-Redford definitely is one of my Hollywood crushes. Don't worry, Jeff knows.)

And! Katie definitely wins style points.

But, ultimately, it's the love story that makes this movie one of my favorites. Thank heavens it's not the usual "Hollywood ending..." but, it is quite the ending. Directed by Sydney Pollack in 1973, it was a very unconventional movie for that time. Topics include arguing against War, Hitler, even Communism. But it's Katie's passion about these topics that could ultimately drive Hubbel away. (How's that for a synopsis...?)

Favorite quote:

Katie: "Wouldn't it be wonderful if we were old? Then we could say we survived all this. Everything would be uncomplicated, the way it was when we were young?" Hubbel: "Katie, it was never uncomplicated."

Or, for a longer intro, here's a clip (from the beginning of the movie):

Other favorite Redford flicks:

Out of Africa, The Sting, Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid, and The Natural. (Okay. Okay, The Horse Whisperer, too.)

But, I'll admit, this is my absolute favorite Redford flick...

5 comments:

jen said...

I also adore this movie. And Robert Redford is absolutely dreamy. I catch it on WE all the time and usually stay up late to finish watching it for the umpteenth time. I like that they couldn't make it work. A love story that's realistic.

Kim said...

Never seen it but you have definitely peaked my interest!

Robin said...

I saw this for the first time a few months ago and I loved it. It broke my heart a little...

Mostly I wanted to see it because they kept mentioning it on Gilmore Girls so many times and I had to see what they were talking about.

ali said...

Robin's comment cracks me up. I've never seen this, either, but I HAVE seen Robert Redfort. Soft on the eyes, even for a blonde. :)

Stephanie said...

I agree, this is my favorite Redford flick as well. The acting is incredible and the storyline is very real life. I appreciate how they depict a romantic relationship in its raw form. I am not a weepy person but this one had me going through the Kleenex. Sigh....