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Rated: R
Starring: Donald Sutherland, Mary Tyler Moore, et al.
Director: Robert Redford Review
Robert Redford made his Oscar-winning directorial debut with this highly
acclaimed, poignantly observant drama (based on the novel by Judith Guest)
about a well-to-do family's painful adjustment to tragedy. Mary Tyler
Moore and Donald Sutherland play a seemingly happy couple who lose the
older of their two sons to a boating accident; Timothy Hutton plays the
surviving teenage son, who blames himself for his brother's death and has
attempted suicide to end his pain. They live in a meticulously kept home
in an affluent Chicago suburb, never allowing themselves to speak openly
of the grief that threatens to tear them apart. Only when the son begins
to see a psychiatrist (Judd Hirsch) does the veneer of denial begin to
crack, and Ordinary People thenceforth directly examines the broken family
ties and the complexity of repressed emotions that have festered under the
pretense of coping. Superior performances and an Oscar-winning script by
Alvin Sargent make this one of the most uncompromising dramas ever made
about the psychology of dysfunctional families. There are
moments--particularly related to Mary Tyler Moore's anguished performance
as a woman incapable of expressing her deepest emotions--when this film is
both intensely involving and heartbreakingly real. No matter how happy and
healthy your upbringing was, there's something in this excellent film that
everyone can relate to. --Jeff Shannon
------------ The subtle masterpiece and
Academy Award winner for best picture of 1980, "Ordinary People", is a
heartbreaking, character driven tale that evolves around the lives of an
upper class, suburban family in Chicago. The troubled son, Conrad Jared
(played by Timothy Hutton), must make an awkward and difficult transition
into high school and home life after months in a mental hospital for
attempted suicide, greatly due to the loss of his older brother. He is
still haunted by his past and desperately longs for a connection with his
distant and broken mother, Beth (played by Mary Tyler Moore), as well as a
sense of belonging and normalcy, which he searches for during his weekly
interactions with his psychiatrist (played by Judd Hirsch), who slowly
unlocks the boy's inner pain and mysteries. The concerned father, Calvin
(played by Donald Sutherland) tries frantically to assure his son and
piece the family back together; however the emotional struggles the family
must endure brings out each member's true colors and weaknesses, including
the fathers. "Ordinary People" is carefully crafted,
incredibly honest, and touching. Each character is depicted with great
depth and sincerity. Hutton delivered an intense, thoughtful and true
performance, receiving a well-deserved Oscar for best supporting actor,
although the title, best actor, would have been more suitable... the role
was made for him, and he owned it with such care, often speaking more with
his eyes and body language than words. Another highlight is Mary Tyler
Moore, who tackled her first dramatic role amazingly, surprising audiences
with her profound, Oscar worthy and most memorable portrayal. Hirsh (who
was nominated for an Oscar for the film as well) and Hutton also had great
chemistry together -playing off of each other very naturally - certainly a
plus for fans of "The Sixth Sense", "The Prince of Tides" and "Good Will
Hunting", and Sutherland gave a notable performance as the lost, but
hopeful father - which led him to an Oscar nomination.
The characters of this film are surprisingly real and easy
to relate to, even the adult friends of Beth and Calvin, as well as
Conrad's friends are so believable -making "Ordinary People" one of the
greatest character studies of all time. What I really loved about this
movie is that it gave nothing away - it trusted the audience to figure out
what each character's motives were and what they were thinking, a
refreshing change from the regular, Hollywood movie of today - in fact
another aspect which made the film so refreshing was that unlike other
family dramas it was very unpredictable. Watching "Ordinary People" is a
very inexplicable experience, not relying on anything but truth to get its
message and entertainment across - its almost like looking into a
mirror... bravo to the writers and actors who depicted each character with
such layers and candor, possibly paying more attention to detail then the
creators of "The Sixth Sense" and other acclaimed mysteries. And not only
that, but this movie leaves audiences with a new perspective and a lot to
ponder.
This is Robert Redford's directorial debut and by far his
greatest. The winner of four Oscars, "Ordinary People", is a classic that
cannot be missed, proving once again that the average person is more
interesting than a love triangle or action sequence! It is a breakthrough,
flawless film that is true to reality, yet is well balanced with comedic
relief, suspense and a little romance between Conrad and a girl from his
high school. However, we view this relationship realistically and we feel
the anxiousness and nervousness between the two without the glamour and
lines that could only have been created by a screenwriter or James Bond.
Although the movie may appear to be simple on it's exterior, accompanied
by only one instrumental piece, Pachelbel's "Canon in D", it has many
heavy layers that are thrilling to explore. I feel this film, among other
things, is about humanity; what regular people are capable of doing to
others out of fear. This is a vital movie for every teenager and adult to
see.
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