Review of Ordinary People (1980) by Ms W — 06 Jul 2008

I saw this movie on the big screen when it was released in 1980 - I was just 14 years old. Timothy Hutton was a newcomer, but I had grown up watching, and adoring Mary Tyler-Moore on TV on her show, and reruns of "The Dick Van Dyke Show". It was somewhat startling to see her in this role of the icy-cold Beth Jarrett, but after a few moments on-screen one forgets completely that we're watching "Mare!" and she instantly becomes this character.

I can't say enough about this movie - it has always been one of my top five favorite all-time films.

Robert Redford (who won a Best Director Oscar) did a superb job casting and directing it. Of course, hindsight is 20/20, but can anyone imagine other actors in the roles of "Conrad" (Timothy Hutton - who won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar), "Calvin" (incredibly, heart-breakingly-portrayed by Donald Sutherland)and of course "Beth"? Who other than Judd Hirsch can you imagine bringing such tenderness, caring and compassion to the character of Conrad's psychiatrist, "Dr. Berger"?

As another reviewer stated so succinctly, there are so many layers to this film, you literally can't blink, or you'll miss something. In fact, 23 years later, having watched it maybe fifty times, I still have a new realization in every viewing.

I've also read the book, and while it was a wonderful book, the movie is far and away more emotional.

Be prepared; this is not a "feel-good" movie by any stretch of the imagination. It is thought-provoking, tragic, emotional and gut-wrenching, and it might make you re-evaluate aspects of your life. The subject-content (accidental death, severe depression, suicide) is very serious and can be upsetting or even depressing.

This film also won the Oscar for Best Picture in 1980. I must add that no matter how incredible the entire cast, Timothy Hutton is the STAR of this film, and the Oscar he won, though well-earned, should have been for Best Actor. Whomever thinks that the role of Conrad was a supporting one, needs to re-evaluate that opinion.