Ordinary People
Ordinary People

Ordinary People

1980Movie124 minEnglish

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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Insights

IMDb7.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes88%
Metacritic82/100
Google Users91%
Director: Robert RedfordGenres: Drama

Plot Summary

A wealthy family struggles to cope with the aftermath of a tragic boating accident that resulted in the death of one son and left the other, Conrad, in a suicide attempt. Conrad returns home from a psychiatric hospital and must navigate his strained relationships with his emotionally distant mother and guilt-ridden father, while confronting his own trauma and guilt. The film chronicles his difficult journey towards healing and reconciliation within his fractured family.

Critical Reception

Ordinary People was a critical and commercial success, earning widespread acclaim for its sensitive portrayal of grief, family dynamics, and mental health. It is widely regarded as a powerful and moving drama that resonated deeply with audiences and critics alike.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its realistic and empathetic depiction of a family in crisis.
  • Lauded for the strong performances, particularly from Mary Tyler Moore and Timothy Hutton.
  • Celebrated Robert Redford's assured directorial debut.

Google audience: Audiences found 'Ordinary People' to be a profoundly moving and well-acted film that realistically captures the pain and complexity of family relationships and grief. Many appreciated its emotional depth and the powerful performances of the cast.

Awards & Accolades

Won the Academy Award for Best Picture, Best Director (Robert Redford), and Best Supporting Actor (Timothy Hutton). Nominated for Best Actor (Jack Lemmon), Best Actress (Mary Tyler Moore), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Film Editing, and Best Original Score.

Fun Fact

Robert Redford's directorial debut, 'Ordinary People,' surprisingly beat out 'Raging Bull' for the Academy Award for Best Picture, a decision that shocked many at the time.

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TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
Wuchak

Wuchak

_**Potent drama with Hutton, Sutherland, Moore and Hirsch**_ A family in an affluent neighborhood north of Chicago tries to recover after a tragedy. Timothy Hutton plays the troubled son who gets help from a therapist (Judd Hirsch) while...