4 Minutes
Streisand's memories of a famously tender collaboration
Barbra Streisand has offered a warm, measured tribute to Robert Redford while recalling the creative partnership that produced one of 1970s cinema's most enduring romantic dramas, The Way We Were. In an Instagram message, Streisand described their time on set as equal parts intensity and "pure joy," noting the contrast between their off-screen lives and the way that contrast informed their characters.
Directed by Sydney Pollack and released in 1973, The Way We Were paired Streisand as Katie Morosky, an idealistic political activist, with Redford’s quietly conflicted Hubbell Gardiner, an aspiring writer from a more privileged background. The film's portrait of a volatile relationship — shaped by political differences and personal compromises — helped the picture become a box-office success and a cultural touchstone for American romantic cinema.
On-set chemistry and behind-the-scenes notes
Streisand has long spoken about the push-and-pull of casting Redford; she remembers that he was reluctant at first and that persuading him to take the role shaped the character’s development. Anecdotes from the production have become part of Hollywood lore: Streisand, who once joked about being allergic to horses, and Redford, known for his love of the outdoors and horses, earned affection from colleagues for their off-screen differences and professional commitment. The film also cemented Streisand’s double legacy as performer and songwriter when her theme, "The Way We Were," won the Academy Award for Best Original Song.
How the film fits into 1970s cinema and each artist's career
The Way We Were arrived during a period when American films often blended personal stories with political currents — think other 1970s dramas that foregrounded social change and intimate conflict. For Sydney Pollack, already recognized for his nuanced direction in films like They Shoot Horses, Don't They? and later Out of Africa, this film balanced human drama with mainstream appeal. For Redford, who would go on to found the Sundance Film Institute and become an influential director-producer, the role broadened his screen persona from brooding leading man to a layered, ambivalent romantic lead. Streisand, meanwhile, reinforced her status as a versatile star following movies such as Funny Girl and Hello, Dolly!; her work on the film demonstrated a willingness to engage with politically textured material.
Critics and audiences have debated the film’s portrayal of gender and politics over the decades. Some praise its emotional honesty and the undeniable chemistry between the leads; others note that the film’s resolution reflects the era’s limitations in addressing entrenched ideological conflict within intimate relationships. Fans, however, continue to return to the film for its performances, score, and the unmistakable melody that remains a fixture of classic Hollywood soundtracks.
"The pairing of Streisand and Redford on screen created a dynamic that still resonates," says cinema historian Anna Kovacs. "Their performances captured a particular kind of 1970s sensitivity — earnest, conflicted, and quietly elegant — that modern audiences still find compelling."
Streisand's recent reflections also offer a quieter detail: she recalls a last lunch with Redford where the two discussed art and agreed to exchange early drawings, a small gesture that underlines a lasting mutual respect. As the industry reflects on Redford’s legacy — actor, director, and champion of independent film — moments like these help round out the public memory of his collaborations.
Legacy
The Way We Were endures as a study in opposites attracting and, sometimes, drifting apart. It’s a film remembered not only for its story and awards but for the human chemistry that made it matter. Streisand’s tribute frames that chemistry in modest, appreciative terms: a professional partnership that became part of both artists' cinematic identities.
Source: variety
Comments