Ordinary People Movie Review 1980

Powerful, well-acted story of a family's struggle to deal with one son's accidental death and the other's subsequent guilt-ridden suicide attempt. Features strong performances by all, but Moore is especially believable as the cold and rigid mother. McGovern's film debut as well as Redford's directorial debut. Based on the novel by Judith Guest.

Distribution

Baker & Taylor Inc., 2709 Water Ridge Pkwy., Ste. 500, Charlotte, NC 28217, Phone: (704)357-3500, Toll-free: 800-775-1800, Email: btinfo@btol.com, URL: http://www.btol.com

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 124 minutes.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Family Drama, Suicide

Screenplay

Alvin Sargent

Cast

Mary Tyler Moore, Donald Sutherland, Timothy Hutton, Judd Hirsch, M. Emmet Walsh, Elizabeth McGovern, Adam Baldwin, Dinah Manoff, James B. Sikking, Frederic Lehne

Cinematography

John Bailey

Director

Robert Redford

Music

Marvin Hamlisch

Producer

Wildwood Enterprises, Paramount Pictures

Awards

Oscars 1980: Adapt. Screenplay, Director (Redford), Picture, Support. Actor (Hutton); Directors Guild 1980: Director (Redford); Golden Globes 1981: Actress--Drama (Moore), Director (Redford), Film--Drama, Support. Actor (Hutton); L.A. Film Critics 1980: Support. Actor (Hutton); Natl. Bd. of Review 1980: Director (Redford); N.Y. Film Critics 1980: Film; Writers Guild 1980: Adapt. Screenplay.