The way we remember Robert Redford

If you will analyze it, the movie “The Way We Were” is not really a love story. Released in 1973, when it became the year’s highest grossing film, it is about this strongly opinionated Jewish girl who is an activist for peace and other social causes.

She falls in love, but rather than see herself lapse into the role of a rich, quiet wife in glamorous Hollywood, she returns to the streets and so ends her marriage. Now, now, that is no great plot for a love story.

So then, why is “The Way We Were” known as one of the great romantic movies of all time? It acquired its love story label because of Robert Redford. Anything on the screen will be romantic with Redford in it. Redford was an American actor and director. Born on Aug. 18, 1936, he passed away last Sept. 16 at the age of 89 in his beloved home in Utah.

Redford was a much-loved figure in the entertainment industry credited with many memorable films. As an actor, he starred in “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” “Jeremiah Johnson,” “The Sting,” “All the President’s Men,” “Out of Africa,” “A Bridge Too Far,” “The Electric Horseman,” “Indecent Proposal,” even “The Avengers: Endgame” and many more.

He won the Academy Award for Best Picture and Best Director on his first directorial outing with “Ordinary People.” He followed this up with the likes of “A River Runs Through It,” “Quiz Show,” “The Horse Whisperer,” “The Company You Keep,” plus others.

He founded the Sundance Resort and Film Institute in Utah to support aspiring filmmakers. He put up the annual Sundance Film Festival, which has become an important gathering place for stars, producers and marketers. With Redford’s support, they are sure of getting the right exposure and the best deals for their products.

Redford was a towering figure in the movies. He was a man of extraordinary talents. Through his artistry, through his work, he gave us many memorable moments.

These were all in spite of or despite his extraordinary good looks. Redford was a prince who came to life.

He was daring. That shock realizing that he, as the prince of darkness in “Inside Daisy Clover,” was bisexual. He held his own in action and suspense, “Three Days of the Condor.” He was achingly pathetic reaching for the sky in “The Great Gatsby.” And unforgettable is that heavenly sight of him on the baseball field in “The Natural.”

Now, what I have not heard of is any movie where Redford sang, nor have I seen him performing in some variety shows. He was probably not much for musicals.

Ironically though, it is through “The Way We Were,” the Academy Award-winning song composed by Marvin Hamlisch and Allan and Marilyn Bergman, and sung by Barbra Streisand and the images from the movie of the same title directed by Sidney Pollack that he will always be fondly remembered.

Mem’ries light the corners of my mind/ Misty water colored mem’ries of the way we were… Redford in khaki uniform.

Scattered pictures of the smiles we left behind/ Smiles we gave to one another for the way we were… Redford in naval gala whites.

Can it be that it was all so simple then or has time rewritten every line/ If we had the chance to do it all again/ Tell me, would we, could we… Redford dancing in a tux.

Mem’ries may be beautiful and yet/ What’s too painful to remember we simply choose to forget… Redford in that white knitted turtle neck sweater on the beach at Malibu.

So it’s the laughter we will remember, whenever we remember the way we were.

How would you like to sweep that lock of hair from his forehead with your fingers?

The way we were…

Hmm…. quiet, the prince has gone to sleep.