The world of cinema mourns the loss of Robert Redford, who died at 89. He was a rare breed of movie star: a man whose immense physical appeal was matched, and often surpassed, by a palpable intelligence and depth. This quality made him not just a heartthrob, but the thinking woman’s heartthrob, a star who promised substance along with style.
This unique appeal was crystallized in his role as Hubbell Gardiner in The Way We Were. He was the quintessential golden boy, but one with a conscience and a quiet melancholy. His chemistry with Barbra Streisand’s character was not just about opposites attracting; it was an intellectual and ideological clash that made their love story profound and ultimately tragic. Redford’s understated performance was key to this complexity.
He further cultivated this persona in the epic, Oscar-winning Out of Africa. His Denys Finch Hatton was an adventurer and a philosopher, a man who could command the attention of Meryl Streep’s formidable Karen Blixen. He was ruggedly independent, yet capable of deep connection. Redford embodied a romantic ideal that was about a meeting of minds and spirits, not just a superficial attraction.
True to this on-screen persona, Redford was a man of substance off-screen as well. He resisted being typecast as a mere leading man, choosing roles that challenged his image and stepping behind the camera to become an Oscar-winning director. His most enduring legacy may be the Sundance Institute, which he founded to champion independent voices and stories of substance.
Robert Redford leaves behind more than just a filmography of classic movies. He leaves behind a model of stardom that values intelligence, integrity, and artistry. He captivated audiences for decades because he offered them something more than just a handsome face; he offered them characters and stories with meaning.