The Way We Were

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2:23

The Way We Were

PG

1973

1h 58m

Romance

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

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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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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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.

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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.

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Jesse Hassenger

AV Club

Nov 14, 2018

For a screen romance with huge movie stars, that sentiment feels pretty real.

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Josh Larsen

LarsenOnFilm

Oct 8, 2025

2.5/4

... fascinating as a study of Streisand and Redford's onscreen personas.

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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.

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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.

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Robert P

@Superbad Sep 30, 2026

The Way We Were = a *4* star Movie!

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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.

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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.

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Rocko P

@Baxter666 Aug 19, 2026

Much ado about nothing..TWO HOURS of my life I'll never get back!

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Dana A

@DanaQ Aug 7, 2026

Where my crush on Robert Redford truly began.

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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!!

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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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77%

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Know Your Critic: Max Weiss, Editor-in-Chief at Baltimore Magazine

The Way We Were: Trailer 1

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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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