Directed by:
Robert RedfordCinematography:
John BaileyComposer:
Marvin HamlischCast:
Donald Sutherland, Mary Tyler Moore, Judd Hirsch, Timothy Hutton, M. Emmet Walsh, Elizabeth McGovern, Dinah Manoff, Adam Baldwin, Fredric Lehne (more)VOD (1)
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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, basedupon the novel by Judith Guest. (Shock Entertainment)
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Reviews (4)
An excellent psychological drama, the power of which is most appreciated by people who have been through something similar themselves. Although I don't have a completely identical personal experience, there's a reason in my past that I can empathize with a given situation like few others, and I admit that this film tore my insides apart. In his directorial debut, Robert Redford had already confirmed that he will one day be one of the leading figures in world cinema. The acting of all the main protagonists speaks for itself. (100%)
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A famous Oscar-winning film about the crisis of an American middle-class family, the inability to communicate, and a painful secret that is revealed after therapy with one of the family members and their psychiatrist. Unfortunately, in this case, I have to say that in my eyes, another film legend has fallen because Ordinary People is surpassed by American Beauty on one hand, and any of the chapters of In Treatment on the other. This film is drawn-out and therefore boring for me. I only finished it out of obligation. Overall impression: 40%.
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A beautiful example of what it means, or does not mean, to have a happy family. Yes, it's about people having to cope with disaster, but it's equally about not being able to cope. People can function based on what they've experienced, they have certain stereotypes, and they operate based on them. When you try to disrupt that, they clam up. And if you break that cocoon, you can destroy it and thus destroy everything.
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Just today I saw a video on YouTube, according to which, the Oscar triumph of Ordinary People is the second biggest mistake in the history of the golden statuettes. I don’t quite think so. It's true that Scorsese went to great lengths with Raging Bull and created one of the most impressive sports dramas ever, but this wonderful story also boasts unprecedented direction for a first film, handling a difficult subject in a masterful and heartfelt way. And even though I was a bit bored in some moments, the great performances and, especially, the natural and open (ordinary?) ending significantly improved the overall impression...
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