Redford On Boomer Regrets

Robert Redford's latest movie, The Company You Keep, is a film for boomers who are going to the cinemas in full force to support this film. As a poster boy in the 60s and 70s, Redford has transformed himself from just a pretty face on the big screen to one of the most respected filmmakers, philanthropists and environmentalists in the 21st century.

Redford is always more talented as a director than an actor. Among the nine films directed by him since 1980, I like Ordinary People (won him the Best Director Award at the Oscars in 1981), The Horse Whisperer, The Conspirator and now The Company You Keep. They are always subtle and non-traditional. In the last 30 years, Redford has also never made a movie with the box office in mind. Perhaps, now he can afford to do so just for the art alone.

Baby boomers often reminisce about we have done in our youth. Perhaps some of us even regret about our past follies. The Company You Keep is about how a group of former activists under the umbrella name of Weather Underground all resurface again to confront their own demons. It is about doing what's right for the younger generation. The thriller keeps you on the edge of your seats but the plot is never that complex. When you've watched about two-thirds of the movie, you can sort of guess where the plot is going. The film was beautifully shot in Vancouver and is a very classy, intelligen and concise thriller that only Redford can make.

What's most delightful about the film is the gang of boomer actors who were all superstars in their gloriest days - Susan Sarandon, Julie Christie, Chirs Cooper, Stanley Tucci, Brenda Gleeson, Nick Nolte and Sam Elliott. The only two young actors in the film - Shia LaBeouf and Brit Marling - carry their own weights in front of the veteran actors. A talented actor like Terrence Howard does not need to play the role of the FBI chief in this film, but I guess if Robert Redford calls, you just don't say no! I read about Julie Christie initially refusing her role, but Redford went to Canadian director Sarah Polley, who directed Christie in Away From Her, for advice. Christie finally accepted the invitation and gave a brilliant performance as the irresistible Mimi.

I have to admit, however, that it's scary to watch how Redford has been aging over the years. At 76, he's still cool as a cucumber, but his face on the big screen looks like plastic surgery gone awry. There's also a scene where a jogging Redford could easily be mistaken for an old woman running in the park. Perhaps it's time for Redford to consider just staying behind the camera instead of still appearing in front of it?