Description
Coinciding with the 50th anniversary of The Way We Were, this intriguing and impeccably researched book is the first ever account of the making of the classic film starring Barbara Streisand and Robert Redford, revealing the full story behind its genesis and continued controversies, its many deleted scenes, its much-anticipated but never-filmed sequel, and the real-life romance that inspired this groundbreaking love story
Its one of the greatest movie romances of all time. Fifty years on, the chemistry between Barbra Streisand as Jewish working-class firebrand Katie Worosky and Robert Redford as all-American golden boy Hubbell Gardiner remains potent. Yet the friction and controversy surrounding The Way We Were was so enormous, the movie was nearly never made at all.
Screenwriter Arthur Laurents wrote the role of Katie with Streisand in mind. Casting Hubble was another matter. Redford, already a superstar, was reluctant to play what he perceived as the Ken doll to Streisands lead, and demanded his role be changed and expanded. Laurents resisted, telling director Sydney Pollack, Youll ruin the movie if it ends up being about two people. Its Katies story, not Hubbells. Despite his protests, ten writersamong them Francis Ford Coppolawere brought on to rework the script.
Laurentss fears were well founded, and the first preview was disastrous. Producer Ray Stark and Pollack, with Redfords approval, cut several scenes, upsetting Streisand and Laurents. Yet the edits worked. Such was the movies success that Redford was open to making a sequel, though Laurentss script was never greenlit. Some of those lost scenes are now being restored to the film for its 50th anniversary.
Its also the deep, surprising love story at the heart of The Way They Were that makes it so memorable, and Robert Hofler explores its inspirationthe relationship between Laurents, a Jewish Brooklyn-born college leftist, and his longtime partner, Tom Hatcher. Drawing on a vast trove of Laurentss and Pollacks unpublished writings, as well as interviews with Streisand, Redford, and other key players, this is the definitive account of a film that changed the rules of moviemaking and defined romance ever since.
Author: Robert Hofler
Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Citadel Press
Published: 01/24/2023
Pages: 304
Weight: 1.05lbs
Size: 8.30h x 5.70w x 1.30d
ISBN: 9780806542324
Language: English
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.