Rating: 
Summary: Powerful Family Drama, Stunning in its Realism
Review: A family has lost their oldest son in a boating accident, and the remaining son (Timothy Hutton) blames himself and attempts suicide. The parents, Donald Sutherland and Mary Tyler Moore, are trying to hold themselves and their family together, but the main way they are doing it is by hiding and repressing their pain, instead of facing the almost-unfaceable. Things get really stirred up when Timothy Hutton goes to see a therapist, played by Judd Hirsch. Everyone begins to face the horror and all the grief comes pouring out.Oscars: This movie should have swept the Oscars. The look of the film, the directing, the soundtrack, and all of the acting represent film-making at its absolute finest. Timothy Hutton was so good that it's mind-boggling that he did not go on to become one of our best actors. Donald Sutherland is obviously in pain but trying to do what he thinks fathers are supposed to do: be strong for everyone else, no matter what the cost to himself. Mary Tyler Moore is astonishing as a woman driven to not feel the terrible pain that always lurks one step behind her. Judd Hirsch is superb as the friendly but quietly relentless therapist who will not let these people stay protectively numb. Caution: This film is extremely realistic in its portrayal of family interactions, repressed emotion, and grief. The impact is very powerful and intense. Few people will be able to watch this film without sharing some of that pain. My brother died in 2002, and I saw some of this film coming to life in my home and in my brother's home.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Movie - beginning of trasfere flawed
Review: This is a great film and I couldn't wait to own the DVD version.
Most of the film is fine. Unhappily, after trying two different discs, it is clear that the first few minutes of the DVD version is flawed by a noticeable horizontal oscillation of text and picture. This will likely drive purist to distraction.
Rating:
Summary: Great Film, Fine Transfer, But Disappointing Lack of Extras
Review: Nearly 21 years after its release, "Ordinary People" remains an absorbing and deeply moving story of an upper middle class WASP family coping with tragedy. The three lead performances couldn't be better. And what inspired casting---Mary Tyler Moore shedding her Mary Richards persona to play a brittle, aloof mother, and Donald Sutherland---in a rare non-eccentric role---as the father grappling with the tensions between his wife and son (brilliantly played by Timothy Hutton). "Ordinary People" has been criticized in some quarters as the undeserving winner of the Best Picture Oscar in 1980 over "Raging Bull." I disagree---Redford's film may not demonstrate Scorcese's technical and stylistic bravura, but I have always found "Ordinary People" to be a much more affecting and memorable experience than the brilliant but cold "Raging Bull." I viewed the DVD of "Ordinary People" several days ago and while the video transfer is fine (the film has never looked better on video), the lack of extras is disappointing, especially considering the importance of the film in Paramount's library (and the [price] for a bare bones DVD is another problem). The DVD release was delayed for nearly 6 months to give Redford the time to record an audio commentary, but those plans apparently fell through. It would have been fascinating to hear how Redford or any of the lead actors approached the challenges of making the film: Redford's first as director, for which he won an Oscar; Moore and Sutherland playing very much against type; and Hutton in his breakthrough and Oscar-winning role. A lost opportunity.
Rating:
Summary: This movie should be required viewing for everyone!
Review: A wonderful story, perfectly cast and portrayed. The message and the messengers of this story are so significant that I believe it should be required viewing for everyone.
Rating: 
Summary: And the Oscar should have gone to...Raging Bull
Review: Orindary People was a pretty good book and a pretty dull movie. Not even in the same league as Raging Bull, which it beat for best picture in 1980. Talk about superior performances, De Niro and Sorcasse at their best, it doesn't get any better than that. But look what happened in the end, Raging bull is the 20 in AFi top 100 films and Orinday People is far behind.
Rating:
Summary: My Favorite Drama Of All Time
Review: I felt it was an exeptional movie, because that's the kind of relationship I had with my mother at his age. I can really relate to it, because it was the way I felt as a kid. Family life can really be difficult, and that's is the way it really is in some families, reguardless of income.
Rating:
Summary: "Ordinary People" - EXTRAordinary classic
Review: The subtle masterpiece and Academy Award winner for best picture of 1980, "Ordinary People", is a heartbreaking, character driven tale that evolves around the lives of an upper class, suburban family in Chicago. The troubled son, Conrad Jared (played by Timothy Hutton), must make an awkward and difficult transition into high school and home life after months in a mental hospital for attempted suicide, greatly due to the loss of his older brother. He is still haunted by his past and desperately longs for a connection with his distant and broken mother, Beth (played by Mary Tyler Moore), as well as a sense of belonging and normalcy, which he searches for during his weekly interactions with his psychiatrist (played by Judd Hirsch), who slowly unlocks the boy's inner pain and mysteries. The concerned father, Calvin (played by Donald Sutherland) tries frantically to assure his son and piece the family back together; however the emotional struggles the family must endure brings out each member's true colors and weaknesses, including the fathers. "Ordinary People" is carefully crafted, incredibly honest, and touching. Each character is depicted with great depth and sincerity. Hutton delivered an intense, thoughtful and true performance, receiving a well-deserved Oscar for best supporting actor, although the title, best actor, would have been more suitable... the role was made for him, and he owned it with such care, often speaking more with his eyes and body language than words. Another highlight is Mary Tyler Moore, who tackled her first dramatic role amazingly, surprising audiences with her profound, Oscar worthy and most memorable portrayal. Hirsh (who was nominated for an Oscar for the film as well) and Hutton also had great chemistry together -playing off of each other very naturally - certainly a plus for fans of "The Sixth Sense", "The Prince of Tides" and "Good Will Hunting", and Sutherland gave a notable performance as the lost, but hopeful father - which led him to an Oscar nomination. The characters of this film are surprisingly real and easy to relate to, even the adult friends of Beth and Calvin, as well as Conrad's friends are so believable -making "Ordinary People" one of the greatest character studies of all time. What I really loved about this movie is that it gave nothing away - it trusted the audience to figure out what each character's motives were and what they were thinking, a refreshing change from the regular, Hollywood movie of today - in fact another aspect which made the film so refreshing was that unlike other family dramas it was very unpredictable. Watching "Ordinary People" is a very inexplicable experience, not relying on anything but truth to get its message and entertainment across - its almost like looking into a mirror... bravo to the writers and actors who depicted each character with such layers and candor, possibly paying more attention to detail then the creators of "The Sixth Sense" and other acclaimed mysteries. And not only that, but this movie leaves audiences with a new perspective and a lot to ponder. This is Robert Redford's directorial debut and by far his greatest. The winner of four Oscars, "Ordinary People", is a classic that cannot be missed, proving once again that the average person is more interesting than a love triangle or action sequence! It is a breakthrough, flawless film that is true to reality, yet is well balanced with comedic relief, suspense and a little romance between Conrad and a girl from his high school. However, we view this relationship realistically and we feel the anxiousness and nervousness between the two without the glamour and lines that could only have been created by a screenwriter or James Bond. Although the movie may appear to be simple on it's exterior, accompanied by only one instrumental piece, Pachelbel's "Canon in D", it has many heavy layers that are thrilling to explore. I feel this film, among other things, is about humanity; what regular people are capable of doing to others out of fear. This is a vital movie for every teenager and adult to see.
Rating:
Summary: Extraordinary Drama
Review: Ordinary People is a movie that people can actually relate to. Maybe the situation and the events are not exactly as our the lives of us ordinary people. However, this powerful, encapturing drama of a family that goes through pain and hell to recover from the death of their first born son. From the rising action to the denoument, the movie is highly original and well-acted as well as well-directed.
Rating:
Summary: Extraordinary Film--Superb Actors
Review: Story of a family dealing with the loss of a son shows that such a cercumstance is an ordeal for all surviving loved ones. Mary Tyler Moore, playing the mother, has the most difficulty going on with life, unable to cope with the fact that her "favorite" is gone, growing ever colder toward her "other" son, who in turn suffers from the mother's lack of affection towards him. Timothy Hutton (in the role of the surviving son) won an Oscar for his portrayal of a sensitive teenager caught in the middle of family frictions. Donald Sutherland also gives a memorable performance as the father who eventually saves his family from the emotionally destructive forces stemming from the grieving mother. -- This is a powerful account of a circumstance affecting more people than we may think. When someone dies (especially if it was a sudden, untimely death), a big part within the loved ones dies as well. There is a strong advocacy for grief counseling, urging people not to go it alone. There is nothing ordinary about "Ordinary People"! The DVD version is due for release in August 2001.
Rating:
Summary: Perfect Movie
Review: This is a must see movie for the depressed, the psychology student, and everyone else. Who knew that Donald Sutherland could be such a sweet man. This movie is so well put together, its amazing.
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