Ordinary People

1980 • 124 minutes

About this movie

An extraordinary motion picture, Ordinary People is an intense examination of a family being torn apart by tension and tragedy. Donald Sutherland and Mary Tyler Moore star as the upper-middle-class couple whose "ordinary" existence is irrevocably shattered by the death of their oldest son in a boating accident. Timothy Hutton is the younger son, struggling against suicide and guilt left by the drowning. Judd Hirsch is the empathetic psychiatrist who provides his lifeline to survival. Mary Tyler Moore gives a riveting portrayal of the inexplicably aloof mother. Robert Redford's achievement as director, after more than twenty years as a superstar in front of the camera, earned him an Oscar® Superb performances and masterful direction complement the award-winning screenplay, based upon the novel by Judith Guest.

Ratings and reviews

Robert Redford's directorial debut was amazing. With great care, Redford got amazing performances from Donald Sutherland, Mary Tyler Moore and young Timothy Hutton, one of his best performances ever. The subject matter is well written and on target, given that the young son attempted suicide after the death of his big brother. How the parents handle this is the key, in particular the mother. And Judd Hirsch as the boy's psychiatrist is terrific. This movie always makes me cry. Very moving and so real.

A brilliant portrayal of a family struggling with the death of a child. The successful dialogue of the devil's advocate here, Judd Hirsch, was particularly well done. Although I disagree with the above description of the mother as "inexplicably aloof" (a once-vibrant woman, reeling too deep even in her own realm and keeping her head above water by maintaining her status quo) we are left, still, with the pain death causes for everyone. And how death propels life.

Anything but ordinary it's extraordinary ! every frame of this emotionally riviting film hand polished to perfection. No wonder it was awarded best picture and director.