ORDINARY PEOPLE distributed by PARAMOUNT pictures (1980). It was the directorial debut of Robert Redford. It starred Donald Sutherland, Mary Tyler Moore and Timothy Hutton. The drama is based on the popular novel by Judith Guest.
The production budget was a mere $6.2 million and became a box office hit with $90 million. (Movie Ticket Price $2.89).
The story surrounds a middle class family whose lives are changed after a boat accident that killed the oldest son Buck. The second son Conrad (Timothy Hutton) blames himself for Buck's death and tries to commit suicide. The father Calvin (Donald Sutherland) struggles to keep the family together. The mother Beth (Mary Tyler Moore) blames Conrad for Buck dying whom she had favored. Beth is very "cold" and wants her family to go back to what it once was..., "perfect."
The film received critical praise especially for Mary Tyler Moore. She had been on two popular TV sitcoms as a funny comedian. Robert Redford claimed that Mary was his first choice to play Beth. The studio auditioned over hundreds of actresses. Moore claimed that Beth was a lot like her own parents. Beth is cold, unfeeling and brittle who expects everyone around her to be "perfect" too.
This movie touched a "nerve" with American filmgoers. Their families are exactly like the Jarrett family in "Ordinary People." A lot of people claim that their mom is exactly like Beth.
The film received 6 Oscar nominations which won 4 awards. Best Picture, Best Director (Robert Redford), Best Supporting Actor (Hutton) and Best Adapted Screenplay (Alvin Sargent). Mary Tyler Moore was nominated as Best Actress but lost to Sissy Spacek (Coal Miners Daughter).
"Ordinary People" is now on Blu-Ray with a 4K Restoration (2022). Check it out. You will not be disappointed.
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