Watch Ordinary People

Ordinary People is a 1980 drama film directed by Robert Redford. It features Donald Sutherland, Mary Tyler Moore, and Judd Hirsch in lead roles. The story revolves around the Jarrett family, who are struggling with the aftermath of a tragic incident. Conrad Jarrett (Timothy Hutton) is a teenager who has attempted suicide and has been released from a psychiatric hospital. He finds it difficult to cope with his feelings of guilt and the loss of his older brother Buck, who died in a sailing accident. While Conrad's father Calvin (Sutherland) is sympathetic and tries to connect with his son, his mother Beth (Moore) is cold and distant towards both Conrad and Calvin. Beth is focused on maintaining their affluent lifestyle and social status, which puts a strain on her relationships with her husband and son.

Conrad begins seeing a therapist, Dr. Berger (Hirsch), to deal with his depression and trauma. He also begins to establish a romantic relationship with a classmate, Jeannine Pratt (Elizabeth McGovern). However, his progress towards recovery is hindered by Beth's emotional detachment and Calvin's inability to confront his wife's toxic behavior.

The film examines themes of loss, grief, and the importance of communication within a family. It explores the dynamics of a seemingly perfect family that is struggling to keep it together in the face of adversity. The performances of the lead actors are exceptional, with Hutton winning an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor and Moore receiving a nomination for Best Actress.

Ordinary People was adapted from a novel of the same name by Judith Guest. It received critical acclaim and was a commercial success, grossing $54 million on a $6 million budget. It won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actor.

The cinematography by John Bailey is notable for its use of natural lighting and muted colors, which emphasize the somber mood of the film. The musical score by Marvin Hamlisch is also subtle and effective in setting the tone.

In conclusion, Ordinary People is a poignant and heartbreaking drama that delves into the complexities of family relationships, mental health, and loss. It is a must-watch for fans of character-driven stories and powerful performances.

Ordinary People is a 1980 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 4 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.7 and a MetaScore of 86.