stephaniemiller-44904 This movie is such a sad tale of losing a child and family beginning to rip apart. I can watch this film over and over and not get tired. It has a message on how we feel when we lose someone and who it's difficult to come to terms with it.Amazing well done performances by Donald Sutherland and Mary Tyler Moore playing this upper class couple and Timothy Hutton in his supporting role as the guilt strict son. The film marks Robert Redford direct-oral debut after a decade being in the face of the camera going on to win Best Picture at the 1981 Oscars and Tinothy Hutton winning for Supporting Actor in a Role.

Prismark10 Ordinary People is an ironic title. The main players are far from ordinary, suffering a trauma of the death of the eldest child in a sailing accident. They also are what could be termed middle class, even upper middle class but not ordinary.Ordinary People was the directorial debut of superstar actor Robert Redford who makes a small, intimate, unflashy picture with his main strengths being the acting from its cast.Conrad Jarrett (Timothy Hutton) feels guilty about his brother's death because he survived the incident and Buck did not. He attempts to commit suicide which has led to an extended stay in hospital.Returning home he is trying to rebuild his life. His father Cal (Donald Sutherland) is understanding, patient and wants him to continue his recovery by seeing a psychiatrist. His mother Beth (Mary Tyler Moore) loved her eldest son but seems cold and distant when it comes to Conrad. She wants life to carry on as before and for Conrad to get over it. Conrad arranges to see Dr Berger (Judd Hirsch) who helps Conrad and in due course even his father also goes to see Dr Berger as well.At the time the subject matter was not something that was intelligently dealt with in mainstream movies. Now it is a common television of the week subject matter.The film delves into Conrad's psyche. A precocious teenager who is lost. One friend he knew from hospital and who seems to be pulling through later dies. Eventually it is Dr Berger who gets through to him and it is his father's understanding he comes to appreciate.The film also examines Cal and Beth. Parents who have lost a child, nearly lost another and their differing ways in dealing with this. Redford confounds the audience by making the mother brittle and aloof. Tyler-Moore known for comedies pulls out a character that is all too real. She is a strong and determined woman and yet behind it all hiding her pain, putting a brave face to the world and wondering why the others could not do the same. She was nominated for a best actress Oscar.Sutherland failed to be nominated for his perceptive and kind father, he provides the warmth that Conrad needs and he also realises at the end that he and Beth are over.Ordinary People won the Oscar for Best Picture and Best Director for Redford. It beat the more flashy and controversial Raging Bull which came to be regarded as the best film of the 1980s. Timothy Hutton who had the lion's share of the film won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar. A cynical move to shield him from the Best Actor category as the producers knew he would be no match that year from the Robert De Niro avalanche.Ordinary People is an examination of middle class mores and middle class life in crisis in late 1970s/early 1980s America.

Buenas Peliculas This is a film that, in a personal opinion, reflects one of the best periods of U.S. cinema, that I like to call it the "real people films." A genre that was took in the 90's and then added crazy elements like fantastic vacations or animals talking. Don't get me wrong , I like those movies too, but sometimes someone somewhere needs to write something that is related to us (such as feelings, relationships or even social status). Unfortunately if you ask people what are the best movies of the 80s, they're probably going to answer you a fantasy-big budget- pop culture- cult classic(that I also probably enjoyed) but they won't say this kind of marvelous and wonderful pieces, just because they don't know it or don't care(or both). Films like Ordinary people, Terms of Endearment, Kramer vs. Kramer, Heartburn, Moonstruck, etc. are movies with strong characters, beautiful settings and stories that seem simple but are one of the most deep and profound things you are ever going to watch in a movie, because in some ways you can see some of you in it. I'm not saying that "they don't make movies like this anymore". Of course they do (Little Miss Sunshine, The Royal Tenembaums, Boyhood are good examples), but the public doesn't seem to had an impact as big as they did in the 80's or 70's. Not to mention the box office. But, if you find just someone who also enjoy this kind of films, it's gonna be great to debate and talk with him/her.

dominic velarde This film deserves more respect! the comment of worst academy award winner is so fightable:)! Shakespeare in love people!!!!! Ordinary people is a ten all the way down the line. I have noticed that a lot of the very best perfect lil films out there really upset people, especially drama's. Is a film bad cause it's upsetting. The movie itself answers you "let me tell you something about feelings, don't always expect them to tickle." and also when Conrad says "i'm supposed to feel better, right?" and dr. berger answers "not necessarily." Also hated I feel are slice of life films which really this is not, but also most non fantasies are. Slice of life to me feels like when there isn't really much of a script perhaps and the pace is rather slow and it just shows day to day life. This story is powerful well written and scripted and yes scary, you have to climb into the Jarrets pain, which is ultimately left still unresolved, especially for Beth.I love this film it deserved best picture and Timothy Hutton deserved best actor.Timothy's father actor Jim Hutton had recently passed when the young actor took this role, I feel that has to be in there, also it is HUGE that actor Robert Redfords directing helped gets the amazing performances we see on the screen. The 4 main actors despite the heaviness which they tackle so bravely are a total treat to watch. It is my wish that this giant of a film reach at least an 8.1 in the near future. The book and the movie has helped so many people grow and heal. it is very special!