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Ordinary People (1980)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
27 February 1981 (Australia)
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Tagline:
some films you watch, others you feel. more
Plot:
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. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
Won 4 Oscars.
Another 14 wins
&
8 nominations
more
NewsDesk:
(40 articles)
Movies I Saw as a Kid (That I Shouldn't Have)
(From Momlogic. 17 November 2009, 2:00 AM, PST)
NBC Adds Another Urban Comedy Project To Their New Season!
(From The Humor Mill. 27 October 2009, 1:57 AM, PDT)
(From Momlogic. 17 November 2009, 2:00 AM, PST)
NBC Adds Another Urban Comedy Project To Their New Season!
(From The Humor Mill. 27 October 2009, 1:57 AM, PDT)
User Comments:
Quiet, moving and exceptional
more (234 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only) | Donald Sutherland | ... | Calvin Jarrett |
 | Mary Tyler Moore | ... | Beth Jarrett |
 | Judd Hirsch | ... | Dr. Tyrone C. Berger |
 | Timothy Hutton | ... | Conrad Jarrett |
 | M. Emmet Walsh | ... | Coach Salan |
 | Elizabeth McGovern | ... | Jeannine Pratt |
 | Dinah Manoff | ... | Karen |
 | Fredric Lehne | ... | Lazenby |
| James Sikking | ... | Ray Hanley (as James B. Sikking) |
 | Basil Hoffman | ... | Sloan |
| Scott Doebler | ... | Jordan 'Buck' Jarrett |
| Quinn K. Redeker | ... | Ward (as Quinn Redeker) |
| Mariclare Costello | ... | Audrey |
| Meg Mundy | ... | Grandmother |
| Elizabeth Hubbard | ... | Ruth |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
124 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Australia:M |
Iceland:L |
Portugal:M/12 |
South Korea:12 |
Argentina:16 |
Chile:14 |
Finland:K-12 |
UK:15 |
USA:R |
West Germany:12 |
Singapore:PG |
Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) |
France:U
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
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.
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Goofs:
Continuity: When the car full of boys passes Jeannine making comments, they are traveling much faster than a person walks, but shown as being alongside her for much longer than a car at that speed would be beside a walking person.
more
Quotes:
Jeannine:
Hey, you stand behind me in the choir, you sing well, you have a lot of energy.
Conrad "Con" Jarrett: Oh you do, I mean, I do?
Jeannine: I mean that's a good thing. I'm Jeannine Pratt.
Chris: And you're Conrad Jarrett, remember?
Conrad "Con" Jarrett: Yeah, right!
Jeannine: Well I'll see you around.
Conrad "Con" Jarrett: Bye.
Lazenby: [mocking Jeannine] You have a lot of energy!
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Conrad "Con" Jarrett: Oh you do, I mean, I do?
Jeannine: I mean that's a good thing. I'm Jeannine Pratt.
Chris: And you're Conrad Jarrett, remember?
Conrad "Con" Jarrett: Yeah, right!
Jeannine: Well I'll see you around.
Conrad "Con" Jarrett: Bye.
Lazenby: [mocking Jeannine] You have a lot of energy!
more
Soundtrack:
Canon in D major
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FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (234 total)
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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.