The Way We Were and the Fight for Social Justice

Sydney Pollack's film The Way We Were uses similar elements of social justice as films by Sidney Lumet. This justice can also be seen as particularly Jewish. Although coated with more gloss than Lumet's best films, The Way We Were manages to deal with political and social issues effectively. The political activism of the Old Left and communism is significant for Katie (Barbra Streisand). Ideas of guilt become apparent in both Katie's and Hubbell's (Robert Redford) politics and relationship. Also, repressing individual beliefs and conforming into the acceptable role plagues the love between the two main characters. Mixed with this social concern are prevalent tropes that appear in numerous films by Jewish writers and directors such as New York, show business, and mixed marriage. These blend together and allow Sydney Pollack's movie to be studied along with Lumet's and other major Jewish directorial work. They also cause strain on the main relationship and cause its downfall.