Ordinary People
Drama
Paramount Pictures  (1980) 124 mins R

7.8 (13,452 votes)
An extraordinary motion picture, Ordinary People is an intense examination of a family being torn apart by tension and tragedy. Donald Sutherland and Mary Tyler Moore star as the upper-middle-class couple whose "ordinary" existence is irrevocably shattered by the death of their oldest son in a boating accident. Timothy Hutton is the younger son, struggling against suicide and guilt left by the drowning. Judd Hirsch is the empathetic psychiatrist who provides his lifeline to survival. Mary Tyler Moore gives a riveting portrayal of the inexplicably aloof mother. Robert Redford's achievement as director after more than twenty years as a superstar in front of the camera, earned him and Oscar®. Superb performances and masterful direction complement the award-winning screenplay, based upon the novel by Judith Guest....

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Cast and Crew
Timothy Hutton  ......  Conrad Jarrett
Mary Tyler Moore  ......  Beth Jarrett
Donald Sutherland  ......  Calvin Jarrett
Judd Hirsch  ......  Dr. Tyrone C. Berger
M. Emmet Walsh  ......  Coach Salan
Elizabeth McGovern  ......  Jeannine Pratt
Director  .....  Robert Redford
Producer  .....  Ronald L. Schwary
Writer  .....  Alvin Sargent; Judith Guest
Notes
Goofs:
Factual errors: Conrad and Karen eat at the Walker Brother's pancake house and order Cokes. At the time, Walker Brother's did not serve carbonated beverages. (more)

Trivia:
Timothy Hutton's father, actor Jim Hutton, passed away prior to filming. Timothy Hutton has said that he did not use his mourning as a basis for Conrad's depression. (more)

Filming Locations:
Apple Valley, California, USA (more)

Quotes:
Conrad "Con" Jarrett: Anyway.
Jeannine: Hm, what?
Conrad "Con" Jarrett: Oh just anyway. It's a conversation starter.
Jeannine: Hm, catchy.
Conrad "Con" Jarrett: I knew you'd like it, I've been working on it all day.
(more)

Awards:
Won 4 Oscars. Another 14 wins & 8 nominations (more)