Ordinary People (1980)

The accidental death of the older son of an affluent family deeply strains the relationships among the bitter mother, the good-natured father, and the guilt-ridden younger son.

Director:

Robert Redford

Writers:

Judith Guest (novel), Alvin Sargent (screenplay)

Stars:

Donald Sutherland, Mary Tyler Moore, Judd Hirsch

Won 4 Oscars. Another 15 wins & 14 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Donald Sutherland	...	Calvin Jarrett
Mary Tyler Moore	...	Beth Jarrett
Judd Hirsch	...	Doctor Berger
Timothy Hutton	...	Conrad
M. Emmet Walsh	...	Salan - The Swim Coach
Elizabeth McGovern	...	Jeannine Pratt
Dinah Manoff	...	Karen
Fredric Lehne	...	Joe Lazenby
James Sikking	...	Ray (as James B. Sikking)
Basil Hoffman	...	Sloan
Quinn K. Redeker	...	Ward (as Quinn Redeker)
Mariclare Costello	...	Audrey
Meg Mundy	...	Grandmother
Elizabeth Hubbard	...	Ruth
Adam Baldwin	...	Stillman

Storyline

Beth, Calvin, and their son Conrad are living in the aftermath of the death of the other son. Conrad is overcome by grief and misplaced guilt to the extent of a suicide attempt. He is in therapy. Beth had always preferred his brother and is having difficulty being supportive to Conrad. Calvin is trapped between the two trying to hold the family together.

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Plot Keywords:

psychiatrist | mother son relationship | suicide | boating accident | plea for understanding | 

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Taglines:

Everything is in its proper place... Except the past.

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

Judd Hirsch appeared in Taxi directed by James Burrows. Burrows also directed The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970) and its spin off Rhoda (1974), in which Hirsch also appeared.

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Goofs

The golf scene is set on the 18th hole of the golf course but they are seen leaving the practice green (multiple holes in the putting surface are visible).

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Quotes

Conrad "Con" Jarrett: You woulda visited Buck if he was in the hospital.
Beth Jarrett: Buck would have never been in the hospital!

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Connections

Referenced in House: House Divided (2009)

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Soundtracks

For He's a Jolly Good Fellow
(uncredited)
Traditional
Sung by all at the party

User Reviews

The epitome of the broken family genre.

Ordinary People is an extraordinary motion picture for five reasons. The outstanding direction of Robert Redford, and the brilliant acting of Mary Tyler Moore, Donald Sutherland, Timothy Hutton and Judd Hirsch.

This movie is set in suburban Chicago. The family is an upper-middle class foursome, the parents and their two sons. The eldest son, Buck, is killed in a boating accident. The other son, Conrad, survives but is riddled with guilt. His mother, Beth, who idolized her deceased first born, is cold with her surviving son. She looks at him and is reminded of the pain. Instead of nurturing her surviving child she distances herself from him. Conrad attempts suicide and spends time in a mental hospital. Calvin, the understanding father, is torn between his wife and son.

Dr. Berger, a psychiatrist, is hired by the family to help the troubled young man. The scenes between Hutton and Hirsch are amongst the best in the movie. He helps Conrad understand his mother's pain and shortcomings and to stand on his own. Conrad tries to keep his family together and realizes, almost with relief, that the family's problems are caused by Beth's "burying all her love with Buck".

This is a fascinating motion picture. The direction and the performances are superb. It is an intelligent, moving and honest examination about a family torn by grief and pain. Don't miss it!

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 September 1980 (USA)

Also Known As:

Ordinary People

Filming Locations:

1199 Lincoln Avenue South, Highland Park, Illinois, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$6,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$170,335, 21 September 1980

Gross USA:

$54,766,923

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$54,766,923

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures, Wildwood Enterprises

Technical Specs

Runtime:

124 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1