Robert Redford passed away a couple of months ago and within weeks the Turner Classic Movie channel marathoned his best known movies.Yay!
I’d seen most of them during my young adult years, yet recorded them for posterity and personal delight.
I watched them, one-by-one, beginning with Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid with its famous jump scene. I reveled at the irreverent spirit of The Sting, pairing Redford once again with his movie and reallife pal, Paul Newman. Their relationship reminded me of George Clooney and Brad Pitt and their Ocean heist movie franchise: same get-even plots punctuated with smart ass remarks. Jeremiah Johanson, Three Days of the Condor, and Out of Africa weren’t shown.
I savored watching – and re-watching – The Way We Were, reminded that Redford’s character, Hubbell Gardner, was a writer.
The movie’s star-crossed romance was enthralling, and, despite my certain knowledge that all would not be well for Katie and Hubbell, I watched with a hopeful heart. Each character saw the best in the other and a compelling sense of promise propelled me through the scenes. Perhaps I identified with the idealistic Katie who failed at the art of compromise, never at ease with herself and never getting the popular guy. Perhaps I’m just shallow, riveted to the screen by Redford’s good looks, self-assurance, and poise.
Robert Redford, one for the ages, embodied Hubbell Gardner, my favorite writer.
Hi,
He was a great actor. Rest in peace, Robert Redford.
Shalom shalom
Thanks for your acknowledgement, Pat. He mattered to me and I’m grateful that, in his movies, he lives on.
He was a great actor indeed. I think one of my favorite movies with him was Sneakers.
I haven’t seen that movie, so now I’m on the hunt, Mr. Movie Buff!
Oh so definitely handsome, PJ! I saw all of Robert Redford’s movies, and more than once. Have a wonderful Christmas and a very happy 2026!
Thanks for the holiday wishes – I hope yours are terrific as well. Interestingly, my most dreaded task is writing Christmas cards… Baking and decorating our home are prized.