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
Mary Tyler Moore	...	Beth
Judd Hirsch	...	Berger
Timothy Hutton	...	Conrad
M. Emmet Walsh	...	Swim Coach
Elizabeth McGovern	...	Jeannine
Dinah Manoff	...	Karen
Fredric Lehne	...	Joe
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

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 February 1981 (Italy)

Also Known As:

Gente como uno

Filming Locations:

1199 Lincoln Avenue South, Highland Park, Illinois, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$6,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$54,800,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures, Wildwood Enterprises

Technical Specs

Runtime:

124 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Despite his character being the central protagonist of the story, Timothy Hutton won the Academy Award and the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor for his performance. Oddly enough, Donald Sutherland and Mary Tyler Moore, who had vastly less screen time as his on-screen parents, received Golden Globe nominations for Best Actor and Best Actress respectively. Pundits attribute this to the fact that Hutton was not only an unknown actor at the time but also a young actor (at age 20), while Sutherland and Moore were established stars.

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Goofs

When Karen and Conrad at the restaurant, the straw in Karen hands starts unwrapped, then becomes wrapped, and then suddenly jumps into the Coke.

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Quotes

Dr. Berger: Maybe you were stronger. Did it ever occur to you that you might have been stronger?
Conrad "Con" Jarrett: [realizes the implications of what Dr. Berger just said to him]
Dr. Berger: How long are you going to punish yourself? When are you going to quit?
Conrad "Con" Jarrett: Oh God, I'd like to quit...

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Connections

Referenced in Moonlight Mile (2002)

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Soundtracks

(I Never Promised You A) Rose Garden
(1969) (uncredited)
Written by Joe South
Sung a cappella a bit by Judd Hirsch

User Reviews

One of the finest and most true to life movies ever

I might consider putting this movie in my top 10 list of best movies. It's absolutely amazing that for his directorial debut, Robert Redford created such a masterpiece. Now it was not all due to him, as the story was so well-written and the acting is dead on for all the characters. Part of the reason I love it so much might be because I was a psychotherapist before becoming a school teacher (mid-life crisis, you know). And, having worked with dysfunctional families, this movie gets it right time and time again. Therapy is not a miracle cure that takes effect almost immediately (like in GOOD WILL HUNTING) and the parents BOTH have a strong role in keeping the family sickness alive. Donald Sutherland is the enabler who denies there is a problem--even after one son dies by accident and the other attempts suicide. He also cannot face that the family's dysfunction is mostly controlled and maintained by his very disturbed wife, played wonderfully by Mary Tyler Moore. She is not mentally ill but has a very sick personality, as she is cold as ice emotionally and deals with problems through massive amounts of denial as well as stuffing her anger WAY down deep. Timothy Hutton is, despite his being the patient, the healthiest one in the family, as his suicide attempt is a strong cry for help. Finally, Judd Hirsch plays the therapist--and one of the most realistically portrayed therapists on film. He has no miracle cure but tries his best to get Hutton, and later Sutherland, to work hard at uncovering their dysfunction. Again and again and again, the viewer is rewarded by a brutally honest script that is about people who would be real--not Hollywood's idea of "people". The film is neither manipulative nor condescending--this is the way more films SHOULD be.

In addition, as I have watched the film several times, I keep noticing just how perfect the direction was. How wonderfully framed the shots were, how wonderfully the music fit in and how unflinching the movie dealt with pain. In particular, I love the scene with Sutherland at the psychiatrist's office as he talks about his marriage....and his eyes keep looking away and avoiding the doctor as he says how much he loves her. And the great Christmas photo scene--it just screams out "this is real!!". For this to be Robert Redford's directorial debut is absolutely amazing and he surely earned that Best Director Oscar.

FYI--although this movie is rated R, it is only for language. There are a few REALLY CHOICE WORDS used here and there, but otherwise this is a great movie for teens. If filmed today, this would no doubt be a PG-13 film. I am a very conservative parent, and yet I found this to be totally acceptable for my 15 year-old. It's a great film to watch WITH your kids and discuss what you see.

I cannot recommend a film more highly.