I re-watched the movie The Way We Were – a 1973 romantic movie. It is one of a few movies I have watched many times. It is a romantic story between two young people, Hubbell and Katie, who were seemingly polar opposites of each other in every way; He was strikingly handsome, easy-going, and gifted in writing, whereas she was homely, quick-tempered, and passionate about politics. Yet they were attracted to each other and fell head over heels in love despite their differences. But their views on politics, writing, and life clashed violently and could not be reconciled, and on top of that, Hubbell had an affair with his former girlfriend, which was the last straw that broke their marriage.
In the movie, Katie seems to be a crazy one, a misfit, and a trouble maker, and Hubbell was a smooth and go-with-flow sort of guy. But in the end, it is Katie who really lived her life and stood up for what she believed in; whereas Hubbell always took the easy way out and lived for others’ expectations.
Nevertheless, when something ends, the memory stays. Hubbell and Katie shared an unforgettable memory – a memory of cherishable love and youth. The movie stirred up my own memories – those “misty watercolor memories”. The movie’s theme song, sang by Barbara Streisand, is such a hauntingly beautiful song that after the song ended, its melody lingered in my mind for a long, long time.
The Way We Were Lyrics
Memories,
Like the corners of my mind
Misty water-colored memories
Of the way we were
Scattered pictures,
Of the smiles we left behind
Smiles we gave to one another
For the way we were
Can it be that it was all so simple then?
Or has time re-written every line?
If we had the chance to do it all again
Tell me, would we? could we?
Memories, may be beautiful and yet
What's too painful to remember
We simply choose to forget
So it's the laughter
We will remember
Whenever we remember...
The way we were...
The way we were...
