Ordinary People (1980) Reviews

Starring:
Donald Sutherland, Mary Tyler Moore, (more)
Director(s):
Robert Redford
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R
Category:
Drama
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Member Reviews

Martin M.

The film deals with an issue that every parent fears more then anything in the world, and the struggles and hardships to recover or try to get past it. Robert Redford does a fabulous job with his ...
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The film deals with an issue that every parent fears more then anything in the world, and the struggles and hardships to recover or try to get past it. Robert Redford does a fabulous job with his directorial debut, while Alvin Sargent delivers a screenplay so moving, well-written and powerfully realistic that it's no wonder he picked up a much deserved Oscar for 'Best Adapted Screenplay'.Donald Sutherland gives such an incendiary and heart-wrenching performance that it's an absolute abomination he didn't receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Leading Actor. Mary Tyler Moore is magnificent in her startling turn as the unloving and emotionally scarred mother, while Judd Hirsch is perfectly cast in the role of the caring psychiatrist. However, the best aspect of the entire feature is definitely the astonishing and utterly amazing powerhouse of a performance of young Timothy Hutton (who rightfully received an Oscar for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role).Film Grade: A-
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David C.

No car chases, no choppy MTV style camera work, no hip music score. This is what my 13-year-old son would call "too old school". I saw this movie 6 times when it first came out a few years after my ...
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No car chases, no choppy MTV style camera work, no hip music score. This is what my 13-year-old son would call "too old school". I saw this movie 6 times when it first came out a few years after my older brother had committed suicide, so I may be biased. But it is one of the most powerful, emotional movies I've ever seen that deals with a family trying to hold it together after a tragic accident. A little dated - clothes, cars, etc., but the message still plows through after all these years. 5 stars.
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Greg H.

I was 16 when this movie came out (and I first saw it). The performances were (and remain) extraordinary. There are so many scenes that moved me because of their complete realism. For example, the ...
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I was 16 when this movie came out (and I first saw it). The performances were (and remain) extraordinary. There are so many scenes that moved me because of their complete realism. For example, the feeling of Conrad's (Hutton) parents not being able to reach him because of the guilt that he feels over his brother Buck's death, and consequently, his own survival is very moving. However, the scene in the kitchen between Sutherland and Moore at the end of the movie tore me to pieces. In short: A masterpiece!
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Michael R.

Chases? no Thought provoking? Yes! This movie is old school and should be studied without interruptions. Seeing the "perfect" family disintegrating before your eyes is uncomfortable to say the ...
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Chases? no Thought provoking? Yes! This movie is old school and should be studied without interruptions. Seeing the "perfect" family disintegrating before your eyes is uncomfortable to say the least. Not really entertainment, but worth watching
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Marla B.

Wow. My first date movie. This one brings back a lot of memories. Such an emotional, thought provoking, movie. Great performances by all the main characters! A really good movie.

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Amy J.

I enjoyed the acting in this movie. Close to real life and easy to associate with the characters. Timothy Hutton is a cutie!

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TJ S.

Ordinary People is a well casted film that is heartfelt and meaningful, yet heartless and meaningless.

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Connie C.

I wound rate this movie slow and depressing. The actors were good but the movie itself was depressing and sad.

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Kevin A.

A very slow movie. It was also hard to piece it together.

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Joe A.

One of the worst movies ever made. Slow, boring and bad performances by everyone in the cast. A sure cure for a sleepless night.

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