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Ordinary People

  • 1980
  • R
  • 2h 4m
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
54K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,629
91
Timothy Hutton, Donald Sutherland, and Mary Tyler Moore in Ordinary People (1980)
Watch Official Trailer
Play trailer2:26
3 Videos
99+ Photos
Drama

The accidental death of the older son of an affluent family deeply strains the relationships among the bitter mother, the good-natured father and the guilt-ridden younger son.The accidental death of the older son of an affluent family deeply strains the relationships among the bitter mother, the good-natured father and the guilt-ridden younger son.The accidental death of the older son of an affluent family deeply strains the relationships among the bitter mother, the good-natured father and the guilt-ridden younger son.

  • Director
    • Robert Redford
  • Writers
    • Judith Guest
    • Alvin Sargent
    • Nancy Dowd
  • Stars
    • Donald Sutherland
    • Mary Tyler Moore
    • Judd Hirsch
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    7.7/10
    54K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    2,629
    91
    • Director
      • Robert Redford
    • Writers
      • Judith Guest
      • Alvin Sargent
      • Nancy Dowd
    • Stars
      • Donald Sutherland
      • Mary Tyler Moore
      • Judd Hirsch
    • 366User reviews
    • 80Critic reviews
    • 86Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 4 Oscars
      • 20 wins & 14 nominations total

    Videos3

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:26
    Watch Official Trailer
    'Ordinary People' | Anniversary Mashup
    Clip 1:33
    Watch 'Ordinary People' | Anniversary Mashup
    Sneak Previews Season 3 Episode 1
    Video 28:57
    Watch Sneak Previews Season 3 Episode 1

    Photos240

    Donald Sutherland and Mary Tyler Moore in Ordinary People (1980)
    Timothy Hutton and Mary Tyler Moore in Ordinary People (1980)
    Donald Sutherland in Ordinary People (1980)
    Timothy Hutton and Judd Hirsch in Ordinary People (1980)
    Judd Hirsch in Ordinary People (1980)
    Robert Redford and Mary Tyler Moore at an event for Ordinary People (1980)
    Timothy Hutton, Donald Sutherland, and Mary Tyler Moore in Ordinary People (1980)
    Ordinary People (1980)
    Timothy Hutton, Donald Sutherland, and Mary Tyler Moore in Ordinary People (1980)
    Timothy Hutton, Donald Sutherland, and Mary Tyler Moore in Ordinary People (1980)
    Timothy Hutton, Donald Sutherland, and Mary Tyler Moore in Ordinary People (1980)
    Timothy Hutton, Donald Sutherland, and Mary Tyler Moore in Ordinary People (1980)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Donald Sutherland
    Donald Sutherland
    • Calvin Jarrett
    Mary Tyler Moore
    Mary Tyler Moore
    • Beth Jarrett
    Judd Hirsch
    Judd Hirsch
    • Doctor Berger
    Timothy Hutton
    Timothy Hutton
    • Conrad
    M. Emmet Walsh
    M. Emmet Walsh
    • Salan - The Swim Coach
    Elizabeth McGovern
    Elizabeth McGovern
    • Jeannine Pratt
    Dinah Manoff
    Dinah Manoff
    • Karen
    Fredric Lehne
    Fredric Lehne
    • Joe Lazenby
    James Sikking
    James Sikking
    • Ray
    • (as James B. Sikking)
    Basil Hoffman
    Basil Hoffman
    • Sloan
    Quinn K. Redeker
    Quinn K. Redeker
    • Ward
    • (as Quinn Redeker)
    Mariclare Costello
    Mariclare Costello
    • Audrey
    Meg Mundy
    Meg Mundy
    • Grandmother
    Elizabeth Hubbard
    Elizabeth Hubbard
    • Ruth
    Adam Baldwin
    Adam Baldwin
    • Stillman
    Richard Whiting
    • Grandfather
    Scott Doebler
    • Buck
    Carl DiTomasso
    • Van Buren
    • Director
      • Robert Redford
    • Writers
      • Judith Guest
      • Alvin Sargent
      • Nancy Dowd(uncredited)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Timothy Hutton's father, actor Jim Hutton, died prior to filming. However, Hutton stated he did not use his mourning as a basis for Conrad's depression. Also, actress Mary Tyler Moore's only son, Richie Meeker, accidentally shot himself a month after the film's release. Moore was also separated from her husband, producer Grant Tinker, during filming.
    • Goofs
      The golf scene is set on the 18th hole of the golf course but they are seen leaving the practice green (multiple holes in the putting surface are visible).
    • Quotes

      Beth Jarrett: Calvin? Why are you crying? Can I, uh... can I get you something?

      Calvin "Cal" Jarrett: I don't...

      Beth Jarrett: What did you say? Calvin, what did you say? Tell me!

      Calvin "Cal" Jarrett: You are beautiful. And you are unpredictable. But you're so cautious. You're determined, Beth; but you know something? You're not strong. And I don't know if you're really giving. Tell me something. Do you love me? You really love me?

      Beth Jarrett: I feel the way I've always felt about you.

      Calvin "Cal" Jarrett: We would have been alright, if there hadn't been any mess. But you can't handle mess. You need everything neat and easy. I don't know. Maybe you can't love anybody. It was so much Buck. When Buck died, it was as if you buried all your love with him, and I don't understand that, I just don't know, I don't... maybe it wasn't even Buck; maybe it was just you. Maybe, finally, it was the best of you that you buried. But, whatever it was... I don't know who you are. And I don't know what we've been playing at. So I was crying. Because I don't know if I love you anymore. And I don't know what I'm going to do without that.

    • Connections
      Edited into Give Me Your Answer True (1987)
    • Soundtracks
      Canon in D major
      Composed by Johann Pachelbel

      Arranged for mixed voices by Noel Goemanne

      Additional arrangement by Jean-François Paillard (as Jean-Francois Paillard)

    User reviews366

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    10/10
    The epitome of the broken family genre.
    Ordinary People is an extraordinary motion picture for five reasons. The outstanding direction of Robert Redford, and the brilliant acting of Mary Tyler Moore, Donald Sutherland, Timothy Hutton and Judd Hirsch.

    This movie is set in suburban Chicago. The family is an upper-middle class foursome, the parents and their two sons. The eldest son, Buck, is killed in a boating accident. The other son, Conrad, survives but is riddled with guilt. His mother, Beth, who idolized her deceased first born, is cold with her surviving son. She looks at him and is reminded of the pain. Instead of nurturing her surviving child she distances herself from him. Conrad attempts suicide and spends time in a mental hospital. Calvin, the understanding father, is torn between his wife and son.

    Dr. Berger, a psychiatrist, is hired by the family to help the troubled young man. The scenes between Hutton and Hirsch are amongst the best in the movie. He helps Conrad understand his mother's pain and shortcomings and to stand on his own. Conrad tries to keep his family together and realizes, almost with relief, that the family's problems are caused by Beth's "burying all her love with Buck".

    This is a fascinating motion picture. The direction and the performances are superb. It is an intelligent, moving and honest examination about a family torn by grief and pain. Don't miss it!
    helpful•65
    7
    • longislandjoe
    • May 26, 2006

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 19, 1980 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Eine ganz normale Familie
    • Filming locations
      • Lake Forest High School - 1285 N. McKinley Road, Lake Forest, Illinois, USA
    • Production companies
      • Paramount Pictures
      • Wildwood Enterprises
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $6,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $54,766,923
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $170,335
      • Sep 21, 1980
    • Gross worldwide
      • $54,766,923
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 4 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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