Streisand references Kimmel controversy in tribute to The Way We Were and Robert Redford

Barbra Streisand has issued a thinly veiled reference to the Jimmy Kimmel controversy in a social-media post honoring The Way We Were and her late co-star Robert Redford, who died last week.

Her note comes as Kimmel Live! was indefinitely suspended last Wednesday after a host comment about a killer tied to a political movement sparked a public probe from the FCC; the show was later announced to return on Tuesday night.

Streisand drew a parallel between the current political atmosphere and the Hollywood blacklist era depicted in The Way We Were, noting that the film’s 50th anniversary re-release in 2023 included the restoration of two political scenes that had been cut from the original release. She described the restored material as essential to the film’s exploration of political pressure and personal risk during that period.

The restored scenes revolve around Katie, a fiery political activist portrayed by Streisand, and her husband Hubbell, a writer played by Redford. One sequence shows Katie being identified as a former communist to the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC), and Hubbell’s difficult choice as the couple navigates loyalty and love under scrutiny. In a pivotal moment, Hubbell contends with the idea of keeping the marriage intact, while Katie implies that separating their lives would remove the threat to him. A second scene follows Katie’s return to activist life and her guilt over stepping back from the cause while Hubbell pursues his career.

Streisand has argued that the political focus in those scenes was central to the film’s soul and to its antiheroic examination of how politics infiltrates personal relationships. She has also referenced director Sydney Pollack’s broader comments on the film’s reception, noting that the political material was essential to understanding Katie’s character and the era’s pressures, even as some in the production believed lighter fare would find a wider audience.

Beyond the archival reflections on The Way We Were, Streisand paid tribute to Redford after his death, praising him as charismatic, intelligent, and one of the finest actors of his generation. The two stars had a long collaboration, with The Way We Were remaining a defining pairing in Hollywood history as both mourned and celebrated Redford’s impact on cinema.

Redford died last Tuesday at the age of 89 in his sleep at his home in Sundance, Utah, with public notices announcing the passing and prompting a wave of tributes from colleagues and fans alike. Streisand’s messages of admiration for Redford underscore the enduring connection between the film and its era, even as contemporary political debates echo themes the movie explored decades ago.

The events surrounding Kimmel’s suspension and the public conversation about The Way We Were intersect at a moment when entertainment, politics, and media accountability are increasingly intertwined in public discourse. As Hollywood reflects on its past and its present, Streisand’s comments place the film’s political contours once again at the center of cultural conversation, highlighting how art can mirror ongoing social tensions without losing its place as a touchstone of cinematic history.