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

Beth's maiden name is Butler. The Butlers are the other primary family in the book and movie; Ward, Beth's brother in Houston and his wife Audrey; and Beth's parents Howard and Ellen.

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Goofs

The boat Conrad and Buck are in is obviously stationary and is being rocked rapidly back and forth, inconsistent with the way a vessel that size would behave during a real squall.

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Quotes

Beth Jarrett: [to her mother about the platter she just broke] You know, I think this can be saved. It's a nice clean break.

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Connections

Referenced in House: Holding On (2012)

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Soundtracks

Canon in D major
Composed by Johann Pachelbel
Arranged for mixed voices by Noel Goemanne
Additional arrangement by Jean-François Paillard (as Jean-Francois Paillard)

User Reviews

TIMELESS MASTERPIECE

Powerful film with a very delicate theme treated like a light feather. Ordinary People is the bearer of a strong message that scratches the minds of those who look with a different eye to this type of cinema, all due to the great Alvin Sargent. Film that succeeds both in the spectacular cast where a poignant and deep Timothy Hutton stands out; but also succeeds in the simple but effective direction of Robert Redford to tell an apparent simple story, with an almost disturbing intense psychology. Timeless masterpiece that inspired the cinema of the following generations.

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