Review of Ordinary People (1980) by Leighton T — 23 Jul 2010

A prestige drama no doubt, this is an actor's film, but Redford's austere direction is able to keep the film lively enough visually. Some images do feel rigid, but its emotional core is so resonant that the writing and acting overcome anything it may lack visually.

To see these actors play out this story of depth of loss is engrossingSutherland and Moore deliver wraught performances as the parents of a lost child and another who deals with the guilt of that death.

Moore is particuarly good showing off a darker side to her acting. We can feel the emotional distance from her from the very beginning; she's a monster in her own way. Sutherland is an overcaring dad, but loves his son dearly and the struggle of balancing his son's needs and his wife's wants is impressively handled psychologically by Sutherland.

His character could have most easily been the most stereotypical, but put in his hands, it's an impressive performance. Hirsch as the balls-out psychiatrist plays him hard-nosed, but caring, and as the catalyst towards Hutton's character's recovery, really helps keep the film grounded.

As well, Alvin Sargent's script is terrific, asking the most out of each actor, while keeping the film on the darker side of emotions and the psyche and not allowing it to run over into some ham-fisted drama or sentimentality.

Finally, it is Timothy Hutton who gives the film it's soul. Without this layered performance of such dark depths, of struggle, pain, and hope, I do not think the film would have won Best Picture. Though virtually a leading role, Hutton deservedly won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for a role that was quite demanding for someone so young.

He makes his pain our pain and we get to know his innerworkings and what he is struggling with and trying to overcome, all through this myriad of versilimitude. It is impressive to watch.You can tell though, with its feel, it hasn't aged well.