Review of Ordinary People (1980) by Panos T — 12 Oct 2007
Despite it's controversial Best Picture win over Martin Scorsese's "Raging Bull," this film is a truly moving, powerful, poignant piece of work. Timothy Bottoms stars as a teenager who has had to endure guilt over his brother's death, as well as a suicide attempt.
His father, excellently played by Donald Sutherland, wants to help him but doesn't know how to approach him. His mother however refuses to show him the compassion his father has. Mary Tyler Moore gives a shockingly powerful performance in a role quite the opposite of Laura Petrie.
Bottoms portrays the recovering youth with believabilty and real emotion. Judd Hirsch also provides a great performance as Bottoms's psychiatrist. Should it have beat "Raging Bull?" Probably not, but that does not stop it from taking genre material and turning into a sad, yet uplifting film.
This review of Ordinary People (1980) was written by Panos T on 12 Oct 2007.
Ordinary People has generally received very positive reviews.
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