When Up Close and Personal (1996) hit theaters, it seemed destined to be a glossy Hollywood romance—Robert Redford and Michelle Pfeiffer headlining a story of ambition, mentorship, and love. Directed by Jon Avnet, the film was loosely inspired by the life of TV anchor Jessica Savitch, though what emerged was more romantic melodrama than hard-edged biography. Still, it carried the hallmarks of a 1990s studio drama: star power, sweeping emotions, and a theme song (“Because You Loved Me” by Celine Dion) that became far more famous than the film itself.

Redford played veteran news director Warren Justice, a man with a sharp eye for talent who discovers Pfeiffer’s character, Tally Atwater, an ambitious young woman with dreams of becoming a broadcast journalist. Their professional relationship quickly becomes personal, evolving into a romance marked by passion, conflict, and tragedy. Pfeiffer’s performance captured Tally’s transformation from inexperienced newcomer to confident anchor, while Redford brought a quiet gravitas to the role of a man both teacher and partner, shaping her career while falling in love with her.

Behind the scenes, the project underwent major rewrites, shifting away from its original, more hard-hitting script to something softer and more romantic. Critics at the time were divided—some praised the chemistry between the leads, while others felt the story was diluted, caught between journalism drama and love story. What no one disputed, however, was the power of its soundtrack. Dion’s ballad soared to number one and earned an Academy Award nomination, cementing itself as one of the decade’s most enduring love songs.

Though the film itself received mixed reviews, Up Close and Personal found a life beyond its box office run. For many, it became synonymous with its theme of love sustaining ambition and loss. It may not have redefined the genre, but it left behind moments of tenderness, star performances, and a song that continues to outshine the film.