Robert Redford is often cited as one of the industry's greatest movie stars, directors, and icons of all-time. Redford’s work as an actor alone would be reason enough to establish him as a legend, but he’s been equally successful as a director. In fact, Redford is one of the few filmmakers in history to win the Academy Awards for both Best Picture and Best Director for their directorial debut, which he did with his 1980 film Ordinary People. While Ordinary People’s victory over Raging Bull remains a controversial one in the history of the Oscars, the love for Martin Scorsese’s sports movie masterpiece shouldn’t detract from Redford’s equally deserving work.
Redford’s offscreen work went on to dominate his legacy in the 21st Century; while he was no less of a compelling actor to watch on screen, it was clear that Redford was making changes that would benefit the industry’s future. His role in establishing the Sundance Film Festival has allowed generations of young filmmakers to find an audience and distribute their work theatrically; Sundance has become one of the most important movements in an industry that so often relies on previously established intellectual property. Redford also remains one of the most politically outspoken figures in Hollywood through his support of the civil rights movement, LGBTQ+ rights, environmentalism, and animal rights.
When thinking about Redford’s best work, it’s often that film fans will cite his work in the 20th Century, as The Candidate, All The President’s Men, Downhill Racer, Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid, Jeremiah Johnson, The Sting, Three Days of the Condor, and Out of Africa are all classics. Younger viewers may know him as Alexander Pierce from Captain America: The Winter Soldier, but that’s only an imitation of the work he’s done in great espionage films of the past! Here are the best Robert Redford movies of the 21st Century.
7 Our Souls At Night
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Our Souls at Nightfelt like a somewhat odd film for Redford when it came to its distribution; who would have expected that the icon of the independent film movement would be starring in a film made for a streaming service? That being said, this Netflix elderly romantic fable allowed Redford to share the screen with Jane Fonda for the first time in decades. Our Souls at Night looks at the realities of an aging romance, and features some of the most delightful work that either Redford or Fonda has done in years.
6 A Walk in the Woods
A Walk in the Woodsfeels like a perfect tribute to Redford’s lifelong support of environmentalism and protecting the natural world. This buddy comedy stars Redford and Nick Nolte as lifelong friends who make the decision to take an extended trip together for the first time. Both men are reflecting on the changes they need to make as they mature, even though they haven’t reconnected in years. It’s a cheesy film at times, but the chemistry between Redford and Nolte makes it a completely worthwhile watch.
5 Truth
Who better to represent an icon of truth, patriotism, and good journalism than Redford? Truth cast him as the legendary journalist Dan Rather during the scandal that threatened to derail his career during the height of the consequential administration of President George W. Bush. The timely message about holding both elected officials and journalists accountable for telling the truth makes this underrated drama worth revisiting, as it continues to feel even more relevant to today’s news cycle.
4 Spy Game
Spy Gamefeels like a pseudo-sequel to Three Days of the Condor; Redford returned to the espionage genre, except this time he was an older mentor character and no longer the young heartthrob he was in the 1970s. While it’s hard to find anyone that could match his level of charisma, Brad Pitt had essentially become the “Redford of his generation” with his continued run of excellent performances. The chemistry between the two makes Spy Game one of the better espionage films of the 21st Century, and one of the best projects that the late great Tony Scott ever worked on.
3 All Is Lost
It takes a truly great actor to justify the audience’s investment if they’re the only one on screen for the entire runtime. All Is Loststarred Redford as a reflective sailor who is stranded in the middle of the ocean and fights for his survival. This was the second film from director J.C. Chandor, and it's nice to see Redford support young filmmakers, which isn’t surprising considering his work at Sundance supporting young artists. Chandor seemed to really benefit from his work with Redford, as he continues to move upwards in the industry; his next project is the Sony Marvel spinoff film Kraven the Hunter, which will star Aaron Taylor-Johnson as the legendary Spider-Man villain.
All is Lost is deeply allegorical and contains many references to Ernest Hemmingway’s The Old Man and the Sea, and Redford speaks barely a word of dialogue. That doesn’t make it any less compelling on an emotional level, and it’s impressive that Redford was able to commit to the physically demanding nature of the role. Perhaps Redford enjoys making “spiritual sequels” to his classics, as All is Lost has a lot in common with his work in the classic survival thriller Jeremiah Johnson.
2 The Company You Keep
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The Company You Keepreturned Redford to the director’s chair for another “spiritual sequel,” as he stars as a former political activist who must once again go on the run. It was an excuse for Redford to reunite with many of his former co-stars, as the incredible ensemble includes Nolte, Shia Labeouf, Susan Surandon, Steven Root, Julie Christie, Sam Elliot, Chris Cooper, and Richard Jenkins among others.
1 The Old Man & The Gun
The Old Man & The Gunis a delightful heist thriller about an older, reflective bank robber who rediscovers his passion for adventure and love as he reflects on his mortality. Even though Redford would subsequently make a cameo appearance in Avengers: Endgame, The Old Man & The Gun feels like the perfect final film of his career.
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