The Way We Were

This movie is terribly relevant. Not just because when I see Robert Redford riding in his car with Barbara Streisand I have to remind myself that I'm not watching The Great Gatsby. (I must digress just a bit--considering writing some sort of research on cheesy Redford films in the 70's--but I have to admit that he's much better in The Way We Were. I'll sit down and watch both movies sometime and let you know. Future blog post already planned!)

We see the characters struggle through World War II and the Red Scare, which is basically parallel to our struggles today in America. In the 2000's, people were quick to call anyone against the war in Iraq unpatriotic, even though questioning war is perhaps one of the most patriotic (and humane) things we can do. We see a pure hatred of anything related to President Obama which I'm not sure has happened to the same degree in America to date. We struggle with balancing our worship of capitalism and our Puritanical roots which have nothing to do with capitalism. We struggle with desiring freedom but also accepting the consequences of freedom (Newtown, CT most recently). When we are confronted with the startling reality of our own humanity, we cling to our ideals. When our ideals fall short, we cling to our humanity. It's more of a symbiotic relationship than a paradox.

I particularly love the scene when Hubble and Katie are arguing after the confrontation scene with the policemen and Hubble says there are no ideals, just people. I think that 10-15 years ago, I would have vehemently disagreed with him and been on Katie's side without a doubt. But age brings experience, and I totally understand Hubble's point.

He says that nothing will ever change, and that standing up for what you believe in, if that requires extreme actions and may cost you much, is a waste. The pendulum will inevitably swing the other way, and in a matter of time that minority which was fought for will become the majority and bring its own flaws. A new majority in name only, same spirit of oppression and physical might. We see history in a series of cycles with no victors, only new pawns.

I think reading that sentence by itself is sort of startling, particularly for me who dedicates an entire 9 weeks of study in AP Language to the writings of Dr. King, Thoreau, and Lincoln. In fact, it would appear as nothing less than unpatriotic not to believe the exact opposite of what Hubble argues.

But he's not wrong. What we decide is worth fighting for could cost us in ways we never imagined. And quite often those things can never be undone.

We see this unfold through the fictional characters in this movie, this push and pull of wanting to rise above ourselves and yet at the same time not being able to give up our human ties that make it all worth it.

And to personalize the abstract settings and context, the two characters struggle between their ideals and humanity. At some point, you just want Katie to shut the hell up and realize what a love she has with Hubble. But then you can understand that she can't just sit by while all of the injustices of the world continue on, people like Hubble complicit in perpetuating them. You want Hubble to finish the damn novel and quit churning out what will turn into the 2000's reality TV shows. But then it's so much easier to just sit around, have a drink and a smoke, and tell witty jokes to your sophisticated friends.

What's an American to do? The movie suggests that you part ways, mourn the loss of the price you pay for marrying yourself to your ideals, and see that protesting against the atomic bomb really will do nothing. But at least you can say you put forth some effort. However, if the protest has no realistic outcome, as Hubble predicted, did Katie owe it to herself to stay with a person she loved and, as it turns out, couldn't replicate? Is doing the right thing, even if nothing comes of it, a better, more moral choice, than siding with your own humanity? Your girl is lovely, Hubble, but I've got to go protest against injustice.