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Movie Description Devastated by the loss of their older son, well-to-do suburban couple Calvin (Donald Sutherland) and Beth (Mary Tyler Moore) are trying to rebuild their lives after their younger son, Conrad (Timothy Hutton), attempts suicide. While Beth, who always favored the elder son, retreats into an icy, emotionless shell, Calvin tries to draw Conrad back into the family and into life as a teenager. Conrad sings in the choir and returns to the swim team, but both his brother's death and his own experiences traumatize him. Conrad reluctantly begins therapy sessions with Berger (Judd Hirsch), which allow him some respite from the unbearable grief and guilt he carries with him. As Conrad makes strides, Calvin realizes that he no longer knows his wife and is both saddened and angered by how seemingly emotionless she has become. A classic portrait of family life in the face of tragedy, Robert Redford's award-winning directorial debut is moving and thought provoking. Based on the novel by Judith Guest, the film features the debuts of Timothy Hutton and Elizabeth McGovern as well as breakthrough performances from Mary Tyler Moore and Donald Sutherland.
Synopsis With the pain from the death of their older son still fresh, Calvin and Beth try to help their remaining son, Conrad, recover from a suicide attempt. Overcome with guilt and grief related to his brother's death, Conrad tries to return to the life of a normal high school student but finds it difficult, with memories of his brother surrounding him and the coldness his mother exhibits almost unbearable.
Film Notes DVD Features:
Region 1 Keep Case - Sensormatic Anamorphic Widescreen - 1.85 Single Side - Dual Layer Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1 - English Dolby Digital Mono - English Dolby Digital Mono - French Additional Release Material: Trailers - 1. Original Theatrical Trailer Interactive Features: Interactive Menus Scene Selection
ORDINARY PEOPLE marked the film debuts of actors Timothy Hutton and Elizabeth McGovern.
This film marked Robert Redford's film-directing debut. Redford bought Judith Guest's first, unpublished novel for this film.
Mary Tyler Moore's son committed suicide a month after the film's release.
Patrick Markey (now a producer) was location manager.
Industry Reviews Included in the New York Times "10 BEST FILMS OF 1980" New York Times - p.II:15 - Vincent Canby (12/28/1980)
"...A moving, intelligent and funny film....Moore is remarkably fine..." New York Times - Vincent Canby (09/19/1980)
"...It's still a fine movie..." USA Today - Mike Clark (08/17/2001)
"...The actor's first -- and best -- film behind the camera won Best Picture and netted him a directing Oscar..." Entertainment Weekly - Entertainment Weekly Staff (01/11/2002)
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