Mr. Redford embodied the ideal of the "noblesse oblige." Our current kakistocracy would not even know the meaning of the phrase, much less embrace it. For these small souls, to whom much has been given, the only obligation is to shameless, unlawful, and corrupt self-enrichment and self-aggrandizement.
The man's talents were legendary. The chemistry between him and his male co-leads (Newman in "Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid" and in "The Sting", and then with Hoffman in "All The President's Men" were a joy to behold. I also enjoyed the often overlooked "Jeremiah Johnson (1972) where he essentially matches it with Clint Eastwood as a loner imbedded in themes of redemption. Perhaps an appropriate epitaph for Redford comes from the closing line in this film: "And some folks say he's up there still."
His films virtually all left indelible memories in my life. Of course it didn’t hurt that he was one of the most gorgeous men I ever saw, but he was so much more than that. Shocking and so very sad to know he’s gone.
So glad to see “All Is Lost” mentioned. Powerful, moving, and it’s literally all Redford, and he’s not even speaking. He and writer-director JC Chandor deserved more viewers, but those of us who saw it will never forget.
“Infatuation is when you think he's as sexy as Robert Redford, as smart as Henry Kissinger, as noble as Ralph Nader, as funny as Woody Allen, and as athletic as Jimmy Conners. Love is when you realize that he's as sexy as Woody Allen, as smart as Jimmy Connors, as funny as Ralph Nader, as athletic as Henry Kissinger and nothing like Robert Redford - but you'll take him anyway.”
Probably 10 years ago, as I was checking out at the grocery store, I pointed to someone on one of the magazines in the nearby rack and said to the cashier, "He reminds me of Robert Redford." A teenager, she looked at me with a blank stare. I said, "Robert Redford? One of the greatest movie stars of all time?" She just shook her head. I said, "You don't know who that is?" and she replied that she didn't. I still can't believe anyone in this country doesn't know who he is - or how old I am.
I hope he and Paul Newman are having a grand ol' time reuniting.
Thanks for that excellent tribute to RR. He is a vanishing breed. I think of George Clooney as his heir apparent and not just because of his chiseled features. Both great actors, writers, directors, boundary breakers. But for now, let us feel gratitude and sadness for the passing of this talented man. Don't forget The Electric Horseman'!
At the University of Iowa, a young woman in the dorm room next to mine was completely bonkers for Robert Redford. She talked about him all of the time. One day Mr. Redford came to our school in Iowa City, and you could get tickets to hear him speak and answer questions in the student center, in a fairly smallish room. He was going to do two sessions. I went with this young woman, a student from very rural farm country, to see Redford because I wanted to see her see Robert Redford. I joined her for the second talk, she had gone to the first one, and thanks to her we got seats in about the second row because she was already there. Our seats were pretty much at face level to Mr. Redford and the moderator, who were both sitting together behind a desk. Mr. Redford looked right at her as he began the second talk and said, "Weren't you here for the first talk", and he gave her the biggest smile. I was so happy for her, that he recognized her and spoke to her. He made her decade. And yes, he is dazzling to the eyes.
As a kid of the 70s Robert Redford was such a huge part of movie stardom for me - I grew up watching Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and The Sting with my dad. His presence seemed preternatural. And it wasn't just his looks or his physical acting, it was his voice. I can instantly recall some of the wonderful lines he narrated to accompany his direction of A River Runs Through It and his fantastic voice is ringing in my head. I'll miss him.
Mr. Redford embodied the ideal of the "noblesse oblige." Our current kakistocracy would not even know the meaning of the phrase, much less embrace it. For these small souls, to whom much has been given, the only obligation is to shameless, unlawful, and corrupt self-enrichment and self-aggrandizement.
Can “The Candidate” or "All the President's Men" be the next Bulwark Movie Club movie?
We already have the next one planned; it’s CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER (still in the news given Vance’s comments today). Maybe next week, though?
The man's talents were legendary. The chemistry between him and his male co-leads (Newman in "Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid" and in "The Sting", and then with Hoffman in "All The President's Men" were a joy to behold. I also enjoyed the often overlooked "Jeremiah Johnson (1972) where he essentially matches it with Clint Eastwood as a loner imbedded in themes of redemption. Perhaps an appropriate epitaph for Redford comes from the closing line in this film: "And some folks say he's up there still."
His films virtually all left indelible memories in my life. Of course it didn’t hurt that he was one of the most gorgeous men I ever saw, but he was so much more than that. Shocking and so very sad to know he’s gone.
So glad to see “All Is Lost” mentioned. Powerful, moving, and it’s literally all Redford, and he’s not even speaking. He and writer-director JC Chandor deserved more viewers, but those of us who saw it will never forget.
I enjoyed his "loser" roles in "The Hot Rock" and in "Sneakers;" smart and capable, but with life always seeming to roll the dice against him.
“and some folks say he’s up there still.”
The Candidate (1972)?
Watching “The Way We Were” right now. One of my favorites of all time. 💔
“Infatuation is when you think he's as sexy as Robert Redford, as smart as Henry Kissinger, as noble as Ralph Nader, as funny as Woody Allen, and as athletic as Jimmy Conners. Love is when you realize that he's as sexy as Woody Allen, as smart as Jimmy Connors, as funny as Ralph Nader, as athletic as Henry Kissinger and nothing like Robert Redford - but you'll take him anyway.”
― Judith Viorst Redbook 1975
Probably 10 years ago, as I was checking out at the grocery store, I pointed to someone on one of the magazines in the nearby rack and said to the cashier, "He reminds me of Robert Redford." A teenager, she looked at me with a blank stare. I said, "Robert Redford? One of the greatest movie stars of all time?" She just shook her head. I said, "You don't know who that is?" and she replied that she didn't. I still can't believe anyone in this country doesn't know who he is - or how old I am.
I hope he and Paul Newman are having a grand ol' time reuniting.
That was my first thought when I heard he had died. Before my barrage of tears.
Thanks for that excellent tribute to RR. He is a vanishing breed. I think of George Clooney as his heir apparent and not just because of his chiseled features. Both great actors, writers, directors, boundary breakers. But for now, let us feel gratitude and sadness for the passing of this talented man. Don't forget The Electric Horseman'!
This is gold. Every word of it.
At the University of Iowa, a young woman in the dorm room next to mine was completely bonkers for Robert Redford. She talked about him all of the time. One day Mr. Redford came to our school in Iowa City, and you could get tickets to hear him speak and answer questions in the student center, in a fairly smallish room. He was going to do two sessions. I went with this young woman, a student from very rural farm country, to see Redford because I wanted to see her see Robert Redford. I joined her for the second talk, she had gone to the first one, and thanks to her we got seats in about the second row because she was already there. Our seats were pretty much at face level to Mr. Redford and the moderator, who were both sitting together behind a desk. Mr. Redford looked right at her as he began the second talk and said, "Weren't you here for the first talk", and he gave her the biggest smile. I was so happy for her, that he recognized her and spoke to her. He made her decade. And yes, he is dazzling to the eyes.
“He made her decade.” Lovely. I am stealing this. :)
Movie Star.
Thanks for sharing this story, Eve.
As a kid of the 70s Robert Redford was such a huge part of movie stardom for me - I grew up watching Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and The Sting with my dad. His presence seemed preternatural. And it wasn't just his looks or his physical acting, it was his voice. I can instantly recall some of the wonderful lines he narrated to accompany his direction of A River Runs Through It and his fantastic voice is ringing in my head. I'll miss him.
Such a beautiful man, inside and out.