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Donald Sutherland, Mary Tyler Moore, Judd Hirsch, Timothy Hutton, Elizabeth McGovern ... see more see more... , M. Emmet Walsh , Dinah Manoff , Fredric Lehne , James B. Sikking , Basil Hoffman , Quinn K. Redeker , Mariclare Costello , Meg Mundy , Elizabeth Hubbard , Adam Baldwin , Richard Whiting , Jane Alderman , Don Billett , Scott Doebter , Marilyn Rockafellow , Randall Robbins , Allison Caine

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 H... read more read more...utton) 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. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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85% liked it

20,841 ratings

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91% liked it

34 critics

R, 2 hr. 4 min.

Directed by: Robert Redford

Release Date: September 19, 1980

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DVD Release Date: August 14, 2001

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Stats: 1,312 reviews

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Donald Sutherland in Ordinary People Timothy Hutton & Donald Sutherland in Ordinary People Timothy Hutton in Ordinary People Robert Redford & Timothy Hutton - Ordinary People Judd Hirsch in Ordinary People Donald Sutherland and Mary Tyler Moore in Ordinary People Strained Relationship Donald Sutherland Timothy Hutton in Ordinary People Timothy Hutton, Best Supporting Actor Ordinary People (1980) Donald Sutherland in Ordinary People Judd Hirsch in Ordinary People Therapy Session. Judd Hirsch in Ordinary People Timothy Hutton in Ordinary People Mary Tyler Moore & Timothy Hutton in Ordinary People Robert Redford with Oscar
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Flixster Reviews (1,312)

  • spielberg00
    February 24, 2012
    spielberg00
    Of all films that must be seen from the very beginning, ORDINARY PEOPLE is the most crucial example. The film starts out with a simplistic title sequence, with plain white lettering against a black backdrop. Think of a Woody Allen title sequence, except silent, slow, and dramatic... read more. Gradually, the black backdrop begins to fade into a brighter introduction to the setting, a typical neighborhood. We hear Pachelbel's "Canon" as our background music, and we understand the mood immediately without even a hint of plot being yet provided. If those two starting minutes cannot feed you the pure solemnity of this film, nothing else will.

    What is most "extraordinary" about ORDINARY PEOPLE is what an achievement this was. Robert Redford made his directorial debut with this film in 1980, after working as an actor, and he managed to clean up with the Academy Award for Best Achievement in Directing. Timothy Hutton cannot be forgotten either: his performance as the lead teen may have only earned him the statuette for Best Supporting Actor (he really had a main role), but he is what makes this feel like a more dramatic John Hughes flick. His character is foul-mouthed, disrespectful, but given his situation, agreeable. If a performer can carry an entire film as an adult, plus a well-experienced filmmaker, that's one thing. If an actor portraying a teen can portray a film alongside someone who is brand-new behind the camera, that is something thirty times more authentic. A true must-see for anyone and everyone.
  • CloudStrife84
    August 17, 2011
    CloudStrife84
    Deeply involving family drama, wealthy in emotion, honesty and vigor. Every step of the way it successfully grabs your attention, yet never once going too far or undermining its realism. The tears, the tantrums, the frustrations and breakdowns - all of it acted out in a riveting ... read moredisplay of first-rate performances. Everyone in the cast gives it their all, but the real stand-out here is Timothy Hutton. His portrayal of a psychologically distressed teenager, dealing with the loss of his brother and other family-related problems, is beyond fantastic. As can be said for the technical aspects of the film as well. Sublime directing and flawless editing, adds that little extra touch that took this from being a good film, to a great one. Now I can't say I'm much on the overall aestethics, what with all the ghastly 80's perms and questionable fashion style. But considering that's the only thing that bothered me somewhat, shows just what a truly outstanding piece of cinema this really his. A movie about letting go and facing your inner demons, that even after 30 years since its making, still holds incredible emotional value. Truly a must-see, for anyone who has ever suffered through some dark chapters in their life. Because this may very well help your healing process and make you look at things more objectively. At least it did for me, as I could relate to some of its subject matters on a personal level. In that sense, this is not so much a movie, as it is a rare and timeless instrument for moving on and cutting your losses. A larger-than-life motion picture, that gave me so much more than just two hours away from boredom.
  • cosmo313
    July 18, 2011
    cosmo313
    I found this portrait of a family crumbling apart in the wake of tragedy to be meerely really good instead of excellent or classic. Maybe I've just seen this type of thing enough to where it really has to be something to stand out...and this film didn't do that for me. Maybe it'... read mores because I'm still mad it stoel the Oscar from Raging Bull, and film that truly did deserve it without question.

    Regardless of all that, this is a pretty good film, although it's not one I'd want to watch all the time. Maybe it's because the characters seemed to emotionally (and otherwise) detached, and it's hard to really feel for them a much as I should have. I'm no cold hearted bastard, but it was a tad difficult for me to completely care.

    The performances are really what make the film worthwhile though. Even if the characters are cold and distant, and it's hard to root for them, that is to the credit of the people playing them...very nice, warm, and colorful people. Hutton is especially really good, as is Moore, whom really broke type for this movie in a performance that is still probably her most dramatic.

    Any real faults with this movie could be chalked up to it being Redford's directorial debut, although that's not much of an excuse considering the number of years he spent in the business before deciding to direct.

    Ok, I'm rambling. Enough of that. You should see this. It offers a decent portrait of a family who are not as ordinary as they try to be, even if it hasn't totally held up overall.
  • jamers2011
    May 15, 2011
    jamers2011
    Excellent! I haven't seen Raging Bull yet, but I think this film may have deserved Best Picture. I had never heard anything about this film other than that fact it "stole" Best Picture from Raging Bull, but I'm so glad I finally watched it. It's a timeless classic, that is among ... read moremy favorite films of all time!

    The title "Ordinary People" alludes to one the strongest elements of the film, the reality in it. The film basically follows a family after the tragic death of a son, and the attemped suicide of another son. The emotions, attitudes, and overall conflicts were so real. I truly felt like the film could have been about any ordinary person.

    This film is perfectly acted! Timothy Hutton gives an absolutely phenomenal performance for which he received an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. His performance is one of the reasons this film is among my favorites. Mary Tyler Moore gives a completely missunderstood performance as the mother. It's probably a career best for her and she definitely deserved the Oscar nomination. Also, excellent performances by supporting actors Donald Sutherland and Judd Hirsch. All around, perfect main cast with a strong supporting cast as well.

    Bravo, Robert Redford!

    Winner of 4 Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Supporting Actor. Memorable performances, brilliant direction, touching, emotional...this is a powerhouse drama film that everyone needs to see. I completely recommend this masterpiece!
  • jennifxu
    April 28, 2011
    jennifxu
    Watching this was like trying to go to sleep but not being able to. You're sort of tired but you're still up, but the experience is pure agony.
  • imrealgod
    April 17, 2011
    imrealgod
    So over-dramatic and full of cliches that it got on my nerves. Nah, this ain't ordinary unless we're to redefine 'ordinary'.
  • hobster1
    February 11, 2011
    hobster1
    How tragedy can destroy what was once a seemingly perfect family is exquisitely realized in this heartbreaking drama. As the story begins, we are placed in the middle of a family in the affluent surroundings of Lake Forest, Illinois. They're struggling to come to terms with the d... read moreeath of their oldest son in a boating accident roughly a year after the fact. Flawless ensemble piece is a stunning achievement of acting. Timothy Hutton, in his film debut, won the Academy Award as the guilt ridden younger son who cannot absolve himself from the responsibility he feels over the incident. Donald Sutherland matches him as the passive father unable to keep his family from unraveling right before our eyes. But the most startling performance of all was that of Mary Tyler Moore as Beth Jarrett who seems more concerned with keeping the facade of a stable family life than dealing with the inner demons of her younger son. It is a shocking cast against type to anyone familiar with the personality on her TV shows. The somber mood is most affecting because the raw emotion of these characters is brutally real. We share an intimacy with these people. Rarely has the aftermath of a child's death been dealt with such honesty.
  • ajv2688
    January 10, 2011
    ajv2688
    A great drama with great actors and a great realistic story. I love it, it's one of the best drama films of the 80s, I highly recommend it.
  • FrizzDrop
    September 27, 2010
    FrizzDrop
    It was a tad drab. I know, suicide, accidental deaths, chilly relations within a family blah blah blah. Half my class said they fell asleep while watching. Not to say the message isn't important, or that the actual acting and storyline aren't phenomenal. Still snooze alert.
  • smith44
    April 7, 2010
    smith44
    Crushingly powerful film. Acted to perfection by cast.

View All Ordinary People Reviews

Critic Reviews

James Berardinelli
April 30, 2009
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

What Redford accomplishes is to provide an excellent portrait of how well families can hide their inner turmoil from the prying eyes of outsiders. Full Review

Richard Schickel
February 20, 2009
Richard Schickel, TIME Magazine

An austere and delicate examination of the ways in which a likable family falters under pressure and struggles, with ambiguous results, to renew itself. Full Review

Todd McCarthy
February 20, 2008
Todd McCarthy, Variety

A powerfully intimate domestic drama. Full Review

Dave Kehr
December 13, 2006
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

The film looks austere and serious, rather as if it had been shot inside a Frigidaire, and the oppressiveness of the images tends to strangle laughter, even at the most absurd excesses of Alvin Sargen... Full Review

Roger Ebert
October 23, 2004
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

An intelligent, perceptive, and deeply moving film. Full Review

Vincent Canby
May 20, 2003
Vincent Canby, New York Times

A moving, intelligent and funny film about disasters that are commonplace to everyone except the people who experience them. Full Review

Tim Brayton
March 13, 2011
Tim Brayton, Antagony & Ecstasy

Better than forever being dismissed with a huffy "I can't believe that beat Raging Bull". Full Review

Nell Minow
December 26, 2010
Nell Minow, Common Sense Media

Story of emotional honesty is best for older kids. Full Review

Dennis Schwartz
February 23, 2008
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Only reaching Chekhovian heights in its dreams. Full Review

February 20, 2008
Empire Magazine

Fully deserving of its many accolades. Full Review

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Ordinary People Trivia

  • In what year did the following events occur? The films "The Shining" and "Ordinary People" were released, "The Facts Of Life" was ending it's first season on television, Alfred Hitchcock, Mae West, and Steve McQueen all died, and Macaulay Culkin and Christina Ricci were both born.  Answer »
  • What film has the tag line : On September 11th one of our darkest days in our history. Forty ordinary people sat down as strangers and stood up as one ?  Answer »
  • Robert Redford won an Oscar for Best Director of what movie?  Answer »
  • What 1980 film won four Academy awards and was the directorial debut for a famous Hollywood actor?  Answer »
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