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The Way We Were

Play trailer 2:23 Poster for The Way We Were PG 1973 1h 58m Romance Play Trailer Watchlist
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65% Tomatometer 37 Reviews 81% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
Opposites attract when, during their college days, Katie Morosky (Barbra Streisand), a politically active Jew, meets Hubbell Gardiner (Robert Redford), a feckless WASP. Years later, in the wake of World War II, they meet again and, despite their obvious differences, marry. Hubbell wants to be a screenwriter, so the two move to California despite Katie's objections. They prosper there, but as the Hollywood blacklist looms, Katie's activism threatens her husband's reputation.
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The Way We Were

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Critics Consensus

The Way We Were is not politically confrontational enough for its story of ideological opposites falling in love to feel authentic, but Barbra Streisand and Robert Redford's beaming star power gives this melodrama romantic lift.

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Critics Reviews

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Kenneth Robins Sydney Morning Herald Mar 7, 2022
The Way We Were... is not really a valid title, for so few of us were this way. Go to Full Review Pauline Kael The New Yorker Jan 20, 2022
The Way We Were is a fluke -- a torpedoed ship full of gaping holes that comes snugly into port. Go to Full Review Jesse Hassenger AV Club Nov 14, 2018
For a screen romance with huge movie stars, that sentiment feels pretty real. Go to Full Review Josh Larsen LarsenOnFilm Oct 8, 2025
2.5/4
... fascinating as a study of Streisand and Redford's onscreen personas. Go to Full Review Kat Halstead Common Sense Media Nov 9, 2023
3/5
What maintains The Way We Were through its potential cringes is the realism of the romantic arc and the believable chemistry between the two leads -- equal passion and frustration, at times a perfect romance and others a doomed affair. Go to Full Review Allison Rose FlickDirect Oct 16, 2023
4.5/5
Casting Streisand and Redford was brilliant as they are clearly on opposite ends of the spectrum but have an obvious onscreen chemistry that makes the movie work. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Robert P @Superbad Sep 30, 2026 The Way We Were = a *4* star Movie! See more SurvivorAlways 7 @MyLife4Me79 Sep 2, 2026 I’ve seen this movie so many times since I was a teenager and I still cry every single time. Robert Redford and Barbara Streisand are absolutely perfect in this and the song… OMG the song could not be more perfect. I am always a sobbing mess by the end. Watch with a box of tissues and someone you love. See more George W @georgeblaise Aug 19, 2026 One of the worst movies ever made. Some scenes were so bad they were inadvertently laugh out loud funny. See more Rocko P @Baxter666 Aug 19, 2026 Much ado about nothing..TWO HOURS of my life I'll never get back! See more Dana A @DanaQ Aug 7, 2026 Where my crush on Robert Redford truly began. See more Pedro S @Urbanity Jul 27, 2026 This movie was impressive, not wanting to watch it I found myself unable to pull away. Streisand's performance was so strong, so interesting as an insatiable liberal woman with a hunger for perceived righteousness. She falls in love with an artistic jock, a very assured man about things in life which was the complete opposite of Streisand's character. It gives you gut punch as you want happiness for Streisand because you understand her struggles, she's a pleaser, but also a fighter, a softy but a warrior, confident but also insecure, yet, long term happiness is unattainable for her. She loves a man (Redford) who loves her characteristics and uniqueness, but not her "style". Ultimately their relationship is doomed, but neither lost their deep seeded love for each other. Great movie!! See more Read all reviews
The Way We Were

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Cast & Crew

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Sydney Pollack

Director

Barbra Streisand

Katie

Robert Redford

Hubbell

Bradford Dillman

J.J.

Murray Hamilton

Brooks Carpenter

Patrick O'Neal

George Bissinger

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The Way We Were

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The Way We Were

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Movie Info

Synopsis Opposites attract when, during their college days, Katie Morosky (Barbra Streisand), a politically active Jew, meets Hubbell Gardiner (Robert Redford), a feckless WASP. Years later, in the wake of World War II, they meet again and, despite their obvious differences, marry. Hubbell wants to be a screenwriter, so the two move to California despite Katie's objections. They prosper there, but as the Hollywood blacklist looms, Katie's activism threatens her husband's reputation.
Director
Sydney Pollack
Producer
Ray Stark
Screenwriter
Arthur Laurents
Production Co
Columbia Pictures Corporation
Rating
PG
Genre
Romance
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 17, 1973, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 21, 2010
Runtime
1h 58m
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