Excellent adaptation of a wonderful novel by Judith Guest.

An all-American family called the Jarretts are falling apart. The two sons were in a boating accident--one died and the other Conrad (Timothy Hutton) survives. But he feels guilt over surviving and tries to commit suicide. He's institutionalized and the movie starts when he returns home from the hospital. His mother (Mary Tyler Moore) is cold, distant and unemotional. His father (Donald Sutherland) tries to act like everything is cheerful and fine. Conrad goes to see a psychiatrist (Judd Hirsch) to find out how--and if--he can deal with this.

A multi-Oscar winner (Best Picture, Director, Supporting Actor) this is a very quiet but emotional film. Director Robert Redford (his first film as a director) doesn't push things in your face or hit you over the head with screaming or yelling--he quietly lets the dialogue and acting explain the characters and situations.

All the actors are in top-notch form--Moore is superb as Beth, the mother. Before this she was just known for doing comedy and being perky. Here she plays a repressed, emotionally unavailable woman--you can see her holding back and feel her breaking--just great. She was nominated for Best Actress and should have won. Sutherland is stunning as the father struggling to deal with his son and wife. Hutton is perfection--you can see the anger and guilt in his character. I was never too crazy about Hirsch in this movie--he comes across as way too cold and critical--still his scenes with Hutton are among the best in the movie. Also Elizabeth McGovern (in her film debut) is sweet and appealing as Conrad's girlfriend.

Beautifully shot, exceptionally well-acted...a truly great movie. And don't miss the gorgeous opening montage of Lake Forest IL. A 10 all the way.

I saw Ordinary People when I was very young and had a very difficult time with the storyline.However, even then I think I knew I was watching something simply remarkable. Even after all these years, it's impact has not lessened, which I guess is a mark of an incredible movie. The movie is among the most disturbing I've ever viewed and the performances, at least to me, are among the best. I can't imagine viewing this movie without feeling absolutely drained afterwards and I think I may have been a bit to young to fully appreciate it, but I can't imagine giving this anything but a 10, it was absolutely flawless in it's storytelling.

I do think though, that a certain element of maturity is needed to view this, there are few I know who have not been touched or upset by the story and if one is to young or just not in the right mood to handle the heaviness(as I wasn't at the time),they may not be able to fully appreciate it. I still know people who cannot sit through this and I understand why but I hope this movie will be viewed by many who can handle it, it's impact is fierce, all the performances are incredible and Mary Tyler Moore's performance is among the best of any female lead ever.

1980 saw the release of what I consider three masterpieces, Raging Bull, The Elephant Man and this film. Ordinary People I have seen people trash as the movie that beat Raging Bull, though not as vehemently as that of Shakespeare in Love vs. Saving Private Ryan(disagree with the hate),The English Patient vs Fargo(also disagree) and Crash vs. Brokeback Mountain(disliked the former, adore the latter, so I agree). Okay, Raging Bull is a wonderful movie, but so is Ordinary People.

Why do I love Ordinary People? Well it is a very moving film. It deals very diligently and intelligently with its subject matter, and when I saw it with my parents first time none of us were dry-eyed at the film's end. It is stunningly filmed, is beautifully scripted and Robert Redford in his directorial debut directs very promisingly. The story is always interesting and believable, and while the film is quite leisurely because of the impact, how the characters are written and how good the acting is I never find it dull.

The characters are engaging and I do care for them. Mary Tyler Moore's character is more highly strung than a piano wire and she is a bit of a bitch too, but Moore's performance is so exceptional here you do empathise with her too. Both Donald Sutherland(as the character I personally sympathise with most) and Timothy Hutton are perfect in their roles as well. In conclusion, moving and acted to perfection, while not my immediate Best Picture winner that year perhaps it is a deserving one in my opinion. 10/10 Bethany Cox