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IMDbPro

Ordinary People

  • 19801980
  • RR
  • 2h 4m
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
53K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,539
1,241
Timothy Hutton, Donald Sutherland, and Mary Tyler Moore in Ordinary People (1980)
Watch Official Trailer
Play trailer2:26
3 Videos
99+ Photos
Drama
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.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.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.
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
53K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,539
1,241
    • Robert Redford
    • Judith Guest(novel)
    • Alvin Sargent(screenplay)
    • Nancy Dowd(uncredited)
  • Stars
    • Donald Sutherland
    • Mary Tyler Moore
    • Judd Hirsch
    • Robert Redford
    • Judith Guest(novel)
    • Alvin Sargent(screenplay)
    • Nancy Dowd(uncredited)
  • Stars
    • Donald Sutherland
    • Mary Tyler Moore
    • Judd Hirsch
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 362User reviews
    • 79Critic reviews
    • 86Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 4 Oscars

    Videos3

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:26
    Watch Official Trailer
    'Ordinary People' | Anniversary Mashup
    Clip 1:33
    Watch 'Ordinary People' | Anniversary Mashup
    Sneak Previews Season 3 Episode 1
    Video 28:57
    Watch Sneak Previews Season 3 Episode 1

    Photos239

    Donald Sutherland and Mary Tyler Moore in Ordinary People (1980)
    Timothy Hutton and Mary Tyler Moore in Ordinary People (1980)
    Donald Sutherland in Ordinary People (1980)
    Timothy Hutton and Judd Hirsch in Ordinary People (1980)
    Judd Hirsch in Ordinary People (1980)
    Robert Redford and Mary Tyler Moore at an event for Ordinary People (1980)
    Timothy Hutton, Donald Sutherland, and Mary Tyler Moore in Ordinary People (1980)
    Ordinary People (1980)
    Timothy Hutton, Donald Sutherland, and Mary Tyler Moore in Ordinary People (1980)
    Timothy Hutton, Donald Sutherland, and Mary Tyler Moore in Ordinary People (1980)
    Timothy Hutton, Donald Sutherland, and Mary Tyler Moore in Ordinary People (1980)
    Timothy Hutton, Donald Sutherland, and Mary Tyler Moore in Ordinary People (1980)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Donald Sutherland
    Donald Sutherland
    • Calvin Jarrett
    Mary Tyler Moore
    Mary Tyler Moore
    • Beth Jarrett
    Judd Hirsch
    Judd Hirsch
    • Doctor Berger
    Timothy Hutton
    Timothy Hutton
    • Conrad
    M. Emmet Walsh
    M. Emmet Walsh
    • Salan - The Swim Coach
    Elizabeth McGovern
    Elizabeth McGovern
    • Jeannine Pratt
    Dinah Manoff
    Dinah Manoff
    • Karen
    Fredric Lehne
    Fredric Lehne
    • Joe Lazenby
    James Sikking
    James Sikking
    • Ray
    • (as James B. Sikking)
    Basil Hoffman
    Basil Hoffman
    • Sloan
    Quinn K. Redeker
    Quinn K. Redeker
    • Ward
    • (as Quinn Redeker)
    Mariclare Costello
    Mariclare Costello
    • Audrey
    Meg Mundy
    Meg Mundy
    • Grandmother
    Elizabeth Hubbard
    • Ruth
    Adam Baldwin
    Adam Baldwin
    • Stillman
    Richard Whiting
    • Grandfather
    Scott Doebler
    • Buck
    Carl DiTomasso
    • Van Buren
      • Robert Redford
      • Judith Guest(novel)
      • Alvin Sargent(screenplay)
      • Nancy Dowd(uncredited)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Timothy Hutton's father, actor Jim Hutton, died prior to filming. However, Hutton stated he did not use his mourning as a basis for Conrad's depression. Also, actress Mary Tyler Moore's only son, Richie Meeker, accidentally shot himself a month after the film's release. Moore was also separated from her husband, producer Grant Tinker, during filming.
    • 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).
    • Quotes

      Beth Jarrett: Calvin? Why are you crying? Can I, uh... can I get you something?

      Calvin "Cal" Jarrett: I don't...

      Beth Jarrett: What did you say? Calvin, what did you say? Tell me!

      Calvin "Cal" Jarrett: You are beautiful. And you are unpredictable. But you're so cautious. You're determined, Beth; but you know something? You're not strong. And I don't know if you're really giving. Tell me something. Do you love me? You really love me?

      Beth Jarrett: I feel the way I've always felt about you.

      Calvin "Cal" Jarrett: We would have been alright, if there hadn't been any mess. But you can't handle mess. You need everything neat and easy. I don't know. Maybe you can't love anybody. It was so much Buck. When Buck died, it was as if you buried all your love with him, and I don't understand that, I just don't know, I don't... maybe it wasn't even Buck; maybe it was just you. Maybe, finally, it was the best of you that you buried. But, whatever it was... I don't know who you are. And I don't know what we've been playing at. So I was crying. Because I don't know if I love you anymore. And I don't know what I'm going to do without that.

    • Connections
      Edited into Give Me Your Answer True (1987)
    • 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 reviews362

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    10/10
    Unforgettable
    I saw Ordinary People when I was very young and had a very difficult time with the storyline.However, even then I think I knew I was watching something simply remarkable. Even after all these years, it's impact has not lessened, which I guess is a mark of an incredible movie. The movie is among the most disturbing I've ever viewed and the performances, at least to me, are among the best. I can't imagine viewing this movie without feeling absolutely drained afterwards and I think I may have been a bit to young to fully appreciate it, but I can't imagine giving this anything but a 10, it was absolutely flawless in it's storytelling.

    I do think though, that a certain element of maturity is needed to view this, there are few I know who have not been touched or upset by the story and if one is to young or just not in the right mood to handle the heaviness(as I wasn't at the time),they may not be able to fully appreciate it. I still know people who cannot sit through this and I understand why but I hope this movie will be viewed by many who can handle it, it's impact is fierce, all the performances are incredible and Mary Tyler Moore's performance is among the best of any female lead ever.
    helpful•118
    21
    • triple8
    • Dec 12, 2004

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 19, 1980 (United States)
      • United States
      • English
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • Lake Forest High School - 1285 N. McKinley Road, Lake Forest, Illinois, USA
    • Production companies
      • Paramount Pictures
      • Wildwood Enterprises
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • 2 hours 4 minutes
      • Color
      • Mono

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