Ordinary People
Directed by:
Robert RedfordCinematography:
John BaileyComposer:
Marvin HamlischCast:
Donald Sutherland, Mary Tyler Moore, Judd Hirsch, Timothy Hutton, M. Emmet Walsh, Elizabeth McGovern, Dinah Manoff, Adam Baldwin, Fredric Lehne (more)Plots(1)
Robert Redford's directorial debut ended up the 1980 Oscar winner for Best Picture. It is a simple but painfully emotional story of the disintegration of a "perfect" family. Teenager Conrad (Timothy Hutton) lives under a cloud of guilt after his brother drowns after their boat capsizes in Lake Michigan. Despite intensive therapy sessions with his psychiatrist (Judd Hirsch), Conrad can't shake the belief that he should have died instead of his brother; nor do his preoccupied parents (Donald Sutherland and Mary Tyler Moore) offer much in the way of solace. The boy is brought out of his doldrums through his romance with Jeannine (Elizabeth McGovern). A winner in every respect, Ordinary People (adapted from the novel by Judith Guest) scores highest in the scenes with Mary Tyler Moore, who superbly and perceptively portrays a blinkered, ever-smiling suburban wife and mother for whom outward appearance is all that matters. The film won altogether 4 Oscar awards. (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Reviews (4)
A famous Oscar-winning film about the crisis of an American middle-class family, the inability to communicate, and a painful secret that is revealed after therapy with one of the family members and their psychiatrist. Unfortunately, in this case, I have to say that in my eyes, another film legend has fallen because Ordinary People is surpassed by American Beauty on one hand, and any of the chapters of In Treatment on the other. This film is drawn-out and therefore boring for me. I only finished it out of obligation. Overall impression: 40%.
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Just today I saw a video on YouTube, according to which, the Oscar triumph of Ordinary People is the second biggest mistake in the history of the golden statuettes. I don’t quite think so. It's true that Scorsese went to great lengths with Raging Bull and created one of the most impressive sports dramas ever, but this wonderful story also boasts unprecedented direction for a first film, handling a difficult subject in a masterful and heartfelt way. And even though I was a bit bored in some moments, the great performances and, especially, the natural and open (ordinary?) ending significantly improved the overall impression...
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A beautiful example of what it means, or rather doesn't mean, a happy family. Yes, it's about people having to deal with a disaster, but it's also about them not being able to cope with it. People can function based on what they are used to, they have a certain stereotype and they operate on that basis. When you try to disrupt it, they retreat into their shell. And if you break that cocoon for them, you can destroy it and destroy everything in the process.
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An excellent psychological drama, the power of which is most appreciated by people who have been through something similar themselves. Although I don't have a completely identical personal experience, there's a reason in my past that I can empathize with a given situation like few others, and I admit that this film tore my insides apart. In his directorial debut, Robert Redford had already confirmed that he will one day be one of the leading figures in world cinema. The acting of all the main protagonists speaks for itself. (100%)
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