Ordinary People
Seen it?1980 | 124 min | Drama
Friday Night FlickWhy it’s a Friday Night Flick
Critics loved it (89% on Rotten Tomatoes), it won 4 Oscars, people are still talking about it and audiences rate it highly (7.5 out of 10). Make plans for this one.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who loves a strong drama. If you loved Dolores Claiborne, start here.
- The mood
- Emotional (bring tissues).
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 4 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: meant for adults.
Beth, Calvin, and their son Conrad are living in the aftermath of the death of the other son. Conrad is overcome by grief and misplaced guilt to the extent of a suicide attempt. He is in therapy. Beth had always preferred his brother and is having difficulty being supportive to Conrad. Calvin is trapped between the two trying to hold the family together.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
89% on Rotten Tomatoes, 86 on Metacritic
- AudiencesStrong
7.5 out of 10
- AwardsVery strong
Won 4 Oscars: Academy Awards: Best Picture, Academy Awards: Best Director, Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actor, Academy Awards: Best Adapted Screenplay. Won 5 Golden Globes: Golden Globe Awards: Best Motion Picture – Drama, Golden Globe Awards: Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama, Golden Globe Awards: Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture, Golden Globe Awards: Best Director – Motion Picture and 1 more. Won 1 DGA Award: Directors Guild of America Awards: Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures. Won 1 WGA Award: Writers Guild of America Awards: Best Drama Adapted from Another Medium. Also nominated for 1 more Oscar, 3 more Golden Globes and 1 BAFTA. Plus 7 other awards.
- Box office & staying powerStrong
$55 million worldwide on a $6 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactVery strong
About 386K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Robert Redford
- Donald SutherlandCalvin Jarrett
- Mary Tyler MooreBeth Jarrett
- Judd HirschDr. Berger
- Timothy HuttonConrad Jarrett
- M. Emmet WalshSwim Coach
- Elizabeth McGovernJeannine Pratt
- Dinah ManoffKaren
- Fredric LehneLazenby
- James B. SikkingRay Hanley
- Basil HoffmanSloan