Review of Ordinary People (1980) by Tony P — 12 Nov 2009

A smart examination of a family's deconstruction. Redford directs with, caution, quiet, and subtlety, successfully navigating away from melodrama. One of the most impressive elements to me, something I don't find myself observing and criticizing very often, was the blocking.

It's very stage-like without feeling theatrical. It's honest and organic in the geography of the film. The geography is actually another unique fascet; the Jarrett house quickly becomes a familiar landscape, placing you in the household as an observer to experience the same uncomfortable mundanity as the characters.

Timothy Hutton's performance is (sorry for the cliche) a tour de force. I was captivated by the panic in his eyes that seemed ready to explode from the suburban rigidity of his environment. Mary Tyler Moore was equally excellent as I despised her manipulative personality from the very beginning.

I felt the climax was a tad overacted and, despite my prior comment, awkwardly blocked. Nonetheless, it's a strong film, very well written and captained by an actor's director.