Rating: 
Summary: REALISTIC YET HAUNTING WALK THROUGH LOSS AND RECOVERY
Review: You may have seen American Beauty and The Ice Storm as moving chronicles of everyday lives or dysfunctional families, but this could easily be the movie that set the trend. I chanced upon this this film without knowing anything about it, except that it was Robert Redfords directorial debut, and was truly surprised! The narrative is remarkably credible and smooth. The writing is superb, there is not one moment in this film that feels false or "acted." The dialogue is extremely well written, but Redford, like Clint Eastwood or Kunrick, was not afraid to exploit moments of silence as well. I cannot believe that Donald Sutherland wasn't even nominated for a supporting cast role, he leaves a taste of his presence long after the credits have rolled. Mary Tyler Moore was very successful in potraying the odious mother who cannot even feel her own despair after her favorite son's death in a boat accident. But hats off to the pivot of the movie, the younger brother who survived the accident, played flawlessly by Tim Hutton! I guess a performance that is also quite easily overlooked is that of Judd Hirsch, in a seemingly background but very important role of the younger son's psychiatrist. Somewhat atypical of Hollywood, there are no happy endings and chiming bells to "Ordinary People." This is a deep, dark movie that journeys into the worst, most difficult situation a family must ever face, and comes out with a very natural resolution (of sorts.) A must-watch treat!
Rating:
Summary: Extraordinarily flawless film of ordinarily flawed people.
Review: The subtle masterpiece and academy award winner for Best Picture of 1980, "Ordinary People", is Robert Redford's surprising directorial debut. Perhaps it shouldn't be surprising though, when recognizing how Redford's delicacy and quiet appeal on screen greatly reflects and triumphs in "Ordinary People." This heart-wrenching, character-driven film, based on Judith Guest's novel, evolves around the lives of an upper-class suburban family in Chicago. The story centers on the troubled son's perspective, Conrad Jarrett (played astoundingly by Timothy Hutton), who is painfully struggling to assimilate into high school and home life after months in a mental institution for attempted suicide. His transition is awkward and difficult as desperate and agonizing efforts to connect with his heartbreakingly distant and broken mother, Beth, (played by Mary Tyler Moore) seem tragically hopeless. His father, Calvin (Donald Sutherland) tries hastily to assure his son, but is hindered with denial. Conrad's lonely quest is an endless search for belonging and normalcy at school and at home, which appears unachievable in the shadow of his recently dead older brother whom his mother deeply favored and his grave depression and self-conscience recovery. However, his helplessness is lessened as he begins to attend weekly therapy sessions with Dr. Berger, (Judd Hirsch) who slowly unlocks the boy's mysteries and inner torment. "Ordinary People" is carefully crafted and refreshingly raw, yet thoughtful study of an 'ordinary' type of family falling apart at the seams. The plot may appear classic - the troubled upper-middle-class teenager who can't live up his parent's standards, set by another more favored child - and perhaps it is, certainly told more than once - as illustrated in great coming-of-age movies like "Stand By Me." However, this is an absolutely original endeavor - revolutionizing the 'family drama.' For "Ordinary People" is truly about ordinary people, portraying the downward spiral of the Jarrett family with such honesty. Now, when you read the word honesty, you probably imagine people losing control and you probably imagine harsh reality - perhaps you are under the impression that "Ordinary People" is an 'in your face' portrait of rampant emotion. And it is to some extent - except you, the observer, may not pick up on that. And that's what distinguishes this film from its peers. And that's why I'm going to let you, the intelligent viewer, decide what you can get from watching it, instead of pointing out to you what my interpretations are of the various themes. The melancholy and subdued, yet suspenseful and heartrending approach is un-comparable and so well tackled by Redford. He certainly accomplished the task of gradually developing so many layers to each character without unrealistically shoving it down the audience's throats. And the ensemble cast each gave memorable performances, Timothy Hutton at times revealing more through body language than words, Mary Tyler Moore giving an un-characteristic, almost chilling portrayal, and Donald Sutherland and Judd Hirsch also incredibly engaging. So often, we as movie-goers begin to label certain characters on the huge cinema screen as like us, when in fact it is very rare that a film comes along in which the characters are so truly like us that it is almost as if one is experiencing rather than just watching. And fortunately, this is one of those very rare films and I STRONGLY recommend adding this powerful, touching story to your video collection! Because it is art like this that makes you realize that less really can be much, much more! And I will hint to you that the basic plot is only the simple surface of this intriguing story, so I beg you to buy it and discover all its exciting layers.
Rating:
Summary: An outstanding film
Review: This is a classic in film. Strong cast, intense emotional content as the characters go through their various journeys, well done cinematography, good dialog, and a very moving story. Sutherland is great as the father (as always), Hutton is great as the traumatized surviving son, Mary Tyler Moore delivers an incredible (and personally significant) performance as the mother, and Hirsch is outstanding as the therapist who is helping Hutton's character put his life back together after a suicide attempt in the wake (no pun intended) of a boating accident that claimed the life of his older, much adored, brother. The film shows the progression of emotional conflicts, trials and triblulations as these three people try and make sense of life afer an untimely death. The story is primarily told through Hutton's character. It is a highly cathartic and moving film, particularly if you have ever lost a loved one to an accident. The scenes with Hutton and Hirsch are especially intense, as is the scene where Moore finally loses her extreme self control. Mary Tyler Moore is just amazing in that scene. Robert Redford's directing debut, I believe, and a darned fine one at that. I consider this to be one of the greatest films of all time, and watch it about once a year to experience the emotional release. Highly recommended. My copy is VHS, so I can't comment on the DVD version differences.
Rating: 
Summary: NOTHING ORDINARY ABOUT THESE PEOPLE!
Review: Based on the novel by Judith Guest, "Ordinary People" is the story of Conrad (Timothy Hutton), a young man who, after witnessing the drowning of his older brother and attempting suicide himself, finds it difficult to exist in the shadow of his brother's memory. His mother, Beth (Mary Tyler-Moore) doesn't help matters with her aloof ignorance and unwillingness to accept Conrad for who he is. When Conrad's dad (Donald Sutherland) recommends that he see a shrink (Judd Hirsch)Conrad is forced to come to terms with his own guilt and sadness. Robert Redford won the Best Director Oscar his first time out, creating a rich family drama with textured performances and mood. The entire cast is outstanding. Mary Tyler Moore really shys away from her squeaky clean television image and is perfectly cast.
Paramount Home Video has given us the movie in anamorphic widescreen. There is some pixelization, shimmering of fine details and edge enhancement present throughout. Nothing terribly distracting. Colors are balanced but slightly faded. Fine details are lost and film grain is present throughout. The audio is distorted somewhat and not very engaging. Still, the performances shine through, particularly Timothy Huttons.
After much debate, no audio commentary track by Redford was included. NO EXTRAS PERIOD! Come on! Get it together at Paramount and deliver the goods! We're waiting!
Rating:
Summary: Possibly the best film of my generation.
Review: This is a mini review of one of my all time top 10 favorite films Robert Redford's directorial debut is a wonderful adaptation of Judith Guest's novel about a suburban Chicago family in crisis. Redford's direction elicits breakout performances from Tim Hutton, Judd Hirsch, Mary Tyler Moore, and Donald Sutherland. This drama unfolds in the aftermafth of Conrad Jarrett's (Hutton) attemmpted suicide. The movie chronicles how the entire Jarrett family deal (or don't deal) with the tragic death of Conrad's brother Buck in a boating accident. The film evenly deals with such difficult family trauma's but does so in a way that at once realistic and hopeful.
Rating:
Summary: An amazing film
Review: (... This movie) won a Best Picture Oscar, so I figured it would be good. I had no idea. Ordinary People is an astonishing movie where nothing is as it seems. The title itself is ironic, because although the Jared family seems like your typical American family, they are by no means so. Mary Tyler Moore plays Beth, the emotionally retentive mother who would rather not face the unseen demons that are rapidly tearing their family apart. Her performance captures the inner coldness and turmoil that is necessary to the character. Donald Sutherland is also excellent as Calvin, the sociable father who feels somewhat responsible for the problems of the family and wants healing. The regret and sadness of his character shine through, what an excellent job. Judd Hirsch is Dr. Berger, the psychiatrist who helps the family try to heal. But the movie is stolen by Timothy Hutton, who plays the young son Conrad, who had previously attempted suicide. His portrayal of the anguished, emotionally dead Conrad is a virtuoso performance. Eventually, through the help of Dr. Berger, Conrad is able to stop blaming himself for the death of his brother and move on with his life. Perhaps the most tension-filled scene in the movie for me was when Conrad found out that his friend had committed suicide and he goes into the bathroom and turns on the warm water and we see the scars on his wrists, and we can only wait to see if he is going to try it again. Another thing, brilliant direction by Robert Redford. Instead of using indulgent film shots or camera tricks, he just allows the camera to focus on the action, the right approach, even though he might have been tempted to try that kind of thing to prove himself in his first film. This is a great movie, one of the best ever made. Make it the next one you see. However, the DVD version is a little plain (...).
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful movie about ordinary people
Review: This movie was based on the incredible book by Judith Guest, but if I had to chose, I'd say that I liked the movie better, and not only because Timothy Hutton is pretty cute in it. The movie centers around a regular old American family, living in rural Illinois. The story starts as though it's in the middle of something, and basically it is. The family has just suffered a major loss, their older son Buck died in a boating accident, and their other son Conrad survived. When Conrad feels he can't take it anymore, he attempts suicide. The movie starts off just after he has returned from the ward he attended for four months. And throughout the rest of the movie, the family has to come to grips with their anger and their shame and their pain. And you feel everything with them. With outstanding performances from Judd Hirsch (from Taxi! Ahhh!) as Conrad's pshychiatrist, Timothy Hutton as Conrad, the troubled son, and Mary Tyler Moore as Beth, the confused and angry mother. And although I enjoy Donald Sutherland's acting, it seemed like his character was more passive than it was in the book. This movie made me laugh (Conrad still keeps a sense of humor at times) and it made me cry, but it also made me watch these people's live and problems, and it mirrored it back into my own. It made me think about things. If you've read the book, or even if you haven't, this movie is one that is not to be missed. See it!
Rating:
Summary: healing with counseling
Review: I first saw the movie & then read Judith Guest's book. Both made a deep impression on me. The movie is passionately & beautifully made & all the acting superb. What most impressed me, however, was that it addresses a vital process -- the psychology of dysfunctional families & of getting counseling through recovery from trauma -- Judd Hirsch intensely plays the psychiatrist. Almost everyone, in the books I review, could do with a dose of counseling, although it is the rare author who takes this process seriously or considers it worth writing about, & I know from personal experience: counseling does heal, if you use it with that intention. A Rebeccasreads First Rate Recommendation, certainly a movie which will get you talking afterwards.
Rating:
Summary: One of those rare gems
Review: "Ordinary People" is one of those films you can watch again and again and still get something new from it. I watched it again the other night (after finally purchasing it on DVD). The performances from Tyler Moore, Sutherland and Hutton are so exceptional that they all deserved oscars. How does a family deal with the loss of a well-loved son from an accident? Some will shut out their emotions like Tyler-Moore's character, while the son needs to show his emotions, and needs his mother more than ever. However, she is cold towards him, almost blaming him for the death of his brother. Sutherland is the husband and father caught in the middle of it all, who is also trying to deal with his own emotions over the death of his eldest son. Ordinary People was made in 1980 and directed by Robert Redford. I have seen it at least 5 times now, and consider it a DVD definitely worth owning. Dont hesitate if you are looking for a special movie.
Rating:
Summary: Impeccable acting, writing, and directing
Review: I recently watched this movie for the first time, and I was emotionally on edge for the entire two hours. Rarely does a film surface that so brilliantly tackles repressed human emotion and family tension. The film is very character-driven, especially the roles of Timothy Hutton and Mary Tyler Moore. Hutton plays Conrad, the tormented, suicidal younger son who survived the boating accident that killed his older brother, Buck. Moore is Beth, the icy, anguished mother who cannot forgive her younger son for surviving when Buck, her favorite, perished. Donald Sutherland is Calvin, the father who desperately tries to reconcile his wife and son and promote healing in the family. Judd Hirsch plays Dr. Berger, the psychiatrist who helps Conrad come to terms with his parents, himself, and his dead brother. Most of the movie is viewed through Hutton's eyes, but we see each character try to cope with Buck's untimely and tragic death. I liked the fact that we discover the details about the accident in flashback pieces throughout the movie; it adds an element of suspense to the psychological study of the characters. Several scenes are especially moving and are permanently affixed to my memory: the photo-taking scene with the grandparents; the restaurant scene with Conrad and Karen; Conrad's first session with Dr. Berger; Conrad's breakthrough session with Dr. Berger; the scene where Conrad catches his mother reminiscing in Buck's room, and the two can't even carry on a conversation together; the scene when Moore finally loses her rigid self-control; and of course the final scene. Watch each of these scenes and you actually FEEL what each character feels. It's incredible; a testament to brilliant acting, writing, and directing. I believe that each of us can identify with some element of the tragic, dysfunctional family presented here, and perhaps that makes this film so timeless and exceptional. This movie isn't over-the-top (even though the social class of the Jarretts isn't exactly "ordinary"). The film is impeccable. And here is what allows us to identify with this film, whether we've tragically lost a close family member or not: we all wish we were "ordinary people," but like these characters, we all have deeper emotions and tragedies that threaten to break us.
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