Movies of the 80s: 'Ordinary People' The Best Movie of 1980

"Ordinary People" - A Cinematic Triumph Directed by Robert Redford

Directed by the acclaimed Robert Redford and penned by the talented Alvin Sargent, "Ordinary People" is a profound narrative of familial strife and personal torment. Released on September 19, 1980, the film stars Timothy Hutton, Donald Sutherland, Mary Tyler Moore, and Judd Hirsch in pivotal roles.

The story delves into the life of Conrad Jarrett (played by Timothy Hutton), a teenager grappling with intense guilt following the tragic death of his older brother, Buck, in a sailing accident. After surviving a suicide attempt, Conrad returns from a psychiatric hospital, only to confront the emotional turmoil within his own family. He finds himself alienated from his mother, Beth (portrayed by Mary Tyler Moore), who becomes increasingly distant and embittered, while his father, Calvin (played by Donald Sutherland), struggles with his own emotional wounds. Throughout his journey, Conrad seeks the assistance of his psychiatrist, Dr. Berger (Judd Hirsch), in navigating his complex feelings and mending familial ties.

Behind the Scenes

The role of Calvin, eventually portrayed by Donald Sutherland, was initially intended for Gene Hackman. However, Hackman withdrew from the project due to contractual disagreements regarding remuneration.

Actor Michael J. Fox shares an anecdote in his autobiography about his unsuccessful audition for "Ordinary People," which was one of his first auditions after relocating from Canada to Los Angeles. He recounts a moment of disinterest from Robert Redford during his audition, highlighting the professional challenges actors often face.

"Ordinary People" is also marked by the real-life tragedies surrounding its cast. Timothy Hutton had lost his father, actor Jim Hutton, just before filming commenced. In a most unfortunate coincidence, shortly after the film's release, Mary Tyler Moore's son, Richie Meeker, tragically took his own life.

The film was produced on a modest budget of $6.4 million and achieved remarkable success, grossing $94 million at the global box office.

Judith Guest, the author of the novel on which the film is based, was initially hesitant to grant film rights to Robert Redford, fearing a simplistic Hollywood rendition of her work. A comprehensive discussion with Redford reassured her, although it took an additional 18 months of negotiations before she agreed to the adaptation. Guest played a significant role in pre-production, particularly in advising screenwriter Alvin Sargent and assisting in casting decisions.

Despite the success of the film and the option in Guest's contract for sequels and television adaptations, Paramount, quite surprisingly, chose not to pursue further projects based on the Jarrett family narrative.

Critical Reception

Upon its release, "Ordinary People" received extensive critical acclaim. Bill Cosford of Knight Newswire hailed it as "an extraordinary movie," while Connie Wilson of the Moline Dispatch-Argus praised Robert Redford's directorial debut as "bravura." Critic Stephen Farber from Los Angeles offered a dissenting view, describing the film’s emotional depth as "banal." However, other critics like Renee Kientz of the San Angelo Standard and Dale Stevens of the Cincinnati Post lauded the film for its powerful portrayal and insightful narrative.

Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert, noted film critics in print and on television, praised the performances and the depth of character development in the film, respectively.

Awards and Recognitions

"Ordinary People" was honored with four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director for Robert Redford. Timothy Hutton received the award for Best Supporting Actor, and Alvin Sargent won for Best Adapted Screenplay. The film also secured victories at the Golden Globe Awards and the New York Film Critics Circle Award, among others.

Ratings

The film currently holds a 90 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 7.7 out of 10 on IMDb, reflective of its enduring appeal and critical appreciation.

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