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Ordinary People

1980
Drama
2h 4m
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. (imdb)
Directed by:
Robert Redford Robert Redford
Written by:
Alvin Sargent Alvin Sargent Judith Guest Nancy Dowd
+2 more
Starring:
Donald Sutherland Donald Sutherland Judd Hirsch Judd Hirsch M. Emmet Walsh M. Emmet Walsh Elizabeth McGovern Elizabeth McGovern Timothy Hutton Timothy Hutton Mary Tyler Moore Mary Tyler Moore Adam Baldwin Adam Baldwin James Sikking James Sikking Fredric Lehne Basil Hoffman Basil Hoffman
More
Genre:
Drama
Country:
USA
Language:
English
imdb More information at IMDb
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Ordinary People

1980
Drama
2h 4m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 65.19% from 1292 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

(1292)
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tripwyreTripwyre
Rated 18 Aug 2009
87
88th
The recipient of a lot of undue hate for having the gall to best Raging Bull at the Oscars. If that boils your blood, blame the voters, not this film. Though Redford's use of music is a touch too manipulative, the performances he draws from all his actors hit a level of honesty seldom seen in cinema. Hutton and Hirsch are particularly brilliant but the acting on the whole is just damn excellent. Its portrait of a broken family feigning social happiness remains relevant thirty years later.
Rated 18 Aug 2009
jstryjstry
Rated 18 Oct 2009
93
96th
Loved it. There are some absolutely heartbreaking scenes to be found in this one -- one of which for me was simply a defeat-stricken expression on Sutherland's face. I found myself completely wrapped up in this family's drama, rooting for them every step of the way.
Rated 18 Oct 2009
davidkahaneDavidKahane
Rated 25 May 2009
95
92nd
Redford finds a shrewdly plainspoken approach to the material, letting the potency of the emotions infecting the familial relations carry the film without undue cinematic prompting. As might be expected, Redford is especially effective with the actors, coaching Timothy Hutton to that Oscar win that led him to become the official Hollywood definition of of unfulfilled promise and getting performances out of the likes of Judd Hirsch and Mary Tyler Moore that were previously inconceivable.
Rated 25 May 2009
wetwillieswetwillies
Rated 17 Jun 2011
100
98th
Wonderfully acted. Timothy Hutton perfectly nails that confused, depressed teenager vibe. EDIT: Revisiting it, I was surprised by some the beauty of this film, its best scenes being harsh and uncomfortable, but most of all, rooted in reality. A gem of a film. (two times)
Rated 17 Jun 2011
hellsditchhellsditch
Rated 17 Oct 2009
94
98th
The story of a "normal", upper-middle class family dealing with the effects of losing one of their own. Sutherland never seems to give a bad performance, and he is great here as the affable peacemaker of the family. Moore plays way against type as the ice queen beholden to social mores and uninterested in expressing how she really feels about her remaining family. Hutton is outstanding as the guilt-ridden brother who has lost his way in the world. The Christmas tree scene is as real as it gets.
Rated 17 Oct 2009
gtown1479gtown1479
Rated 31 Jan 2010
84
81st
I thought that the main three (Sutherland, Moore and Hutton) all had great performances in this film which really helped me buy into the story, and in turn have some emotions for the characters. It was weird seeing Moore play the exact opposite of her fun loving TV role, but she did a stellar job. Suther;and was great at trying to play a confused and helpless mediator. The scene near the end when he came to his conclusions about Moore, were heart-wrenching.
Rated 31 Jan 2010
addisondewitAddisondeWit
Rated 14 Aug 2007
95
97th
A great, powerful drama who should have been the one for which Sutherland got finally a Oscar nomination. The job made by the cast is amazing, makes my personal top 10 for ensemble cast. Sadly, this masterpiece is remembered as that damn film that robbed Raging Bull's Oscar. Timothy Hutton got the Oscar fairly but Mary Tyler Moore is awesome.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
tonytheponyTonythePony
Rated 27 Apr 2008
85
84th
Intimate family drama that perfectly captures the silence, numbness and disconnection of grief. Redfords direction is simple and efficient allowing you to focus on the powerful performances of Sutherland, Hutton and Tyler Moore. The emotionally cathartic scenes payoff nicely for the restrained intensity present throughout.
Rated 27 Apr 2008
sproostsproost
Rated 07 Mar 2023
90
96th
Amazing standout performances by Hutton and especially Sutherland who is just laughably good. By the end i felt i had had therapy myself.
Rated 07 Mar 2023
meerkatmeerkat
Rated 11 Nov 2007
100
96th
Robert Redford's directorial debut and one of the most solemnly moving films made in its decade. A very stark view of a family that is seething with tension and anger while trying to present a perfect face to the world. An amazing film.
Rated 11 Nov 2007
groovysoulsGroovy_Souls
Rated 05 Jun 2015
85
82nd
Like others say, this isn't one of the best movie ever made, but it is still quite fantastic. Sutherland, Baldwin, Hutton, and Moore deliver mind-blowing performances while Robert Redford does magic behind the camera. Though some of the twists are predictable, it really does a good job with the psychology and sociology of it all. Really fantastic film.
Rated 05 Jun 2015
ocelotOcelot
Rated 29 Dec 2013
75
81st
Three fantastic performances and one decent one (Moore) make it very watchable, especially the therapy sessions. That said, the technical elements are shockingly bad. The direction is clumsy, and the editing in particular is abysmal. I can understand the Best Picture win, but the Best Director award is as baffling as what happened in 2010. Yeesh.
Rated 29 Dec 2013
twincinematwincinema
Rated 07 Dec 2020
85
85th
I watched Philadelphia last week, so I guess I was in the mood for more heavy dramas. Not sure I understand how Hutton was nominated as a Best Supporting Actor. What does it take to become nominated as Best Actor? My hottest take? This deserved Best Picture over Raging Bull.
Rated 07 Dec 2020
rthornhillrthornhill
Rated 23 Oct 2009
94
89th
Extraordinary!
Rated 23 Oct 2009
filliganFilligan
Rated 11 Aug 2012
94
90th
According to IMDb, one of this film's tag lines is "Some films you watch, others you feel." I'd have called that a pretentious tag line before I actually saw the film, but I like it; it's surprisingly fitting. This is mostly thanks to Hutton's powerful performance. The others around him do terrific work too, and it's clear thanks to Redford's restrained direction, but Hutton is the heart and center of the film, and when he finally experiences catharsis it really packs a punch.
Rated 11 Aug 2012
jeffvjeff_v
Rated 07 Mar 2010
78
89th
"Ordinary fucking people, I hate 'em."
Rated 07 Mar 2010
sirstuckeySirStuckey
Rated 20 May 2016
95
97th
One of the things I hate about many movies about mental illness is that the endings are generally too happy. Either the mental illness is cured by finding love or some other random bullshit or the person realizes the problem is within themselves and just gets over it in some abrupt way like it isn't a struggle after making the revelation. This movie does not have that. Not that the ending is sad, it's just not unrealistically happy. It's hopeful. The acting was also great.
Rated 20 May 2016
martintellerMartinTeller
Rated 14 Aug 2007
97
99th
Wonderful casting, every actor does an absolutely outstanding job. Sure, the film is kind of sappy (the overuse of Pachebel's "Canon in D" is especially responsible for this) and the psychology is a bit oversimplified (it comes off at times like a promotion for psychotherapy), but it's so emotionally intense and cathartic.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
treyatwoodTreyAtwood
Rated 30 Jun 2013
70
44th
There's a stupid mise-en-scene going on in here, but damn, great story. I would like the film to have gone in a much more cold approach to it's subjects, but won't hold that against it.
Rated 30 Jun 2013
djfntstquedjfntstque
Rated 14 Aug 2007
79
69th
Earnest and believable. Still shouldn't have beaten Raging Bull for Best Picture though.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
doyler29doyler29
Rated 05 Feb 2020
90
87th
Redford gets beautiful performances out of his entire cast, particularly Mary Tyler Moore who is a revelation (although Sutherland is so good here he nearly dominates the film). The film's reserved, autumnal look creates an atmosphere of severe repression and forced perfection that embodies the feeling of the story. It's a quiet, thoughtful film for adults ... a very rare thing to encounter these days.
Rated 05 Feb 2020
sellissellis
Rated 12 Nov 2009
66
30th
Rewatch as many have suggested a screenplay I wrote bears resemblance. I really hope not. Despite a few scenes of emotionally honest dialogue, any progression in character leads to an over-the-top outburst and melodrama in place of authentic human insight. It’s a tough sell to me from the onset when we have a bunch of rich white characters feeling sorry for themselves. Perhaps this isn’t as noticeable if not for the forced flashbacks portraying the tragedy. Not a fan.
Rated 12 Nov 2009
damildamil
Rated 24 Jan 2012
75
81st
I liked this movie a lot. It got a little bit 'Hollywood' at points, but it had enough truth and heart behind it to make it credible. I liked that it didn't really reveal the true plot of the film until at least 15 minutes in. Robert Redford's direction was great. The performances were all good too. Overall, I thought the film tackled the subject of death and grief really well. I might've preferred it to be a little more raw, but that's just me.
Rated 24 Jan 2012
tashatTashaT
Rated 02 Jan 2014
0
15th
Criticker keeps telling me I'll like this movie, but I've tried to watch it 3 times now and fall asleep every time.
Rated 02 Jan 2014
karlsonkarlson
Rated 09 Mar 2023
90
95th
Not only a masterclass in acting, but what an empathic and believable story and development! No false 'breakthroughs' as you get to swallow so often in movies. Or all-knowing psychiatrists, or, even worse, only-being-intellectual psychiatrists. No, life in it's core: we all move forward struggling and in trying you may move up a notch - and sometimes you get stuck in a hole and you can't move. Because of this hartfelt aspect, this is and will always be a timeless movie.
Rated 09 Mar 2023
stuie299stuie299
Rated 19 Nov 2023
80
60th
Ordinary people is just a very solid contemplation on death and mental illness. The performances from the main trio are all strong. While I wouldn't call it dated I just think watching it for the first time in 2023 sort of blunts its impact. It falls into that category of movies that were so influential when they came out that they themselves are no longer as special. I've seen this sort of thing done before in Manchester by the Sea, or Good Will Hunting, even if Ordinary People did it first.
Rated 19 Nov 2023
johnsandwichJohnSandwich
Rated 06 Mar 2013
80
84th
Great performances, sutherland is just a terrific actor
Rated 06 Mar 2013
neonmanNeonman
Rated 10 Aug 2016
80
63rd
A rather well produced film with each main character very memorably drawn out, though it's a shame that two of the young women characters on the side don't add a whole lot (and perhaps could've been combined into one). Nothing too profound, but rather emotional and resonating, especially the Sutherland character. Not a film that I think is overall really amazing, but has some very powerful scenes that will sit with me for a while.
Rated 10 Aug 2016
peaceanarchyPeaceAnarchy
Rated 17 Jun 2010
75
44th
Solid writing, solid direction, solid acting, but the characters lacked enough depth for me to care emotionally rather than just intellectually.
Rated 17 Jun 2010
lethiaslethias
Rated 25 Oct 2018
89
82nd
This was not a light movie. Fortunately great acting and great, intimate script make it very watchable. It is very intense and some scenes strike home so much it's hard not to shed tears...
Rated 25 Oct 2018
hellboy76hellboy76
Rated 17 Oct 2010
79
94th
I loved every performances in this. Not the best movie ever made but captivating by sheer screen presence.
Rated 17 Oct 2010
movie_opMovie-Op
Rated 22 Jun 2015
7
56th
The Jarrett family is well-realized and Redford's direction is solid, but the script is overlong and its side characters are more like caricatures.
Rated 22 Jun 2015
kavuKavu
Rated 16 Nov 2019
90
94th
Excellent writing and directing about a hard subject. Lifelike characters, well acted.
Rated 16 Nov 2019
nepetaNepeta
Rated 09 Jan 2013
70
44th
In spite of myself I rather enjoyed this. Yes its a bit simplistic, it nears being Oscar-bait at times and I can understand people's complaints about it being sappy (though my only complaint in this regard is that Pachelbel's Canon was used so damn much), but I was surprised that the film still managed to have some thorns to it, and I found the film to be for the most part both emotionally engaging and cathartic.
Rated 09 Jan 2013
tedted
Rated 09 Jul 2009
76
60th
Outstanding acting all around. I especially loved Donald Sutherland. It's not very enjoyable to watch. Timothy Hutton is so good that his jumpy character makes the viewer antsy. And it's impossible not to dislike Mary Tyler Moore's character. Somewhat slow moving. I kinda want to watch it again though.
Rated 09 Jul 2009
teddedonTedDedon
Rated 20 Mar 2007
74
48th
Ordinary People is a good movie that does not quite stand the test of time and surely does not deserve the best picture Oscar it has. It's a family drama that profiles a young boy who is emotionally distressed over the death of his older brother. It basically, the whole way through, is about the tension he has with his mother, but it always seems unrealistic and rather sappy.
Rated 20 Mar 2007
billkerwinbillkerwin
Rated 09 Feb 2010
76
31st
Good Mary Tyler Moore performance, but the whole thing is a little too earnest and careful to be completely successful.
Rated 09 Feb 2010
calabriaCalabria
Rated 08 May 2012
85
84th
In the same vein as American Beauty with its glimpse behind the scenes of the (not-so) "ordinary" family
Rated 08 May 2012
mjvmoviemanMJVmovieMan
Rated 31 Jan 2008
82
83rd
Very well made, well-acted drama.
Rated 31 Jan 2008
siphus007siphus007
Rated 19 Mar 2020
85
87th
An uncomfortably realistic take on how difficult and important a process it is to develop emotional intelligence and maturity. The acting is often uneasy in the most fitting way, and the script, even in its melodrama, feels authentic, and develops at a believable pace. For an emotional person, this is entirely immersive, but may be too slow and meandering for some who don't understand what the movie is trying to explore.
Rated 19 Mar 2020
ceekay19Ceekay19
Rated 14 May 2019
70
53rd
Dr. Berger: "Feelings are scary. And sometimes they're painful. And if you can't feel pain, then you're not going to feel anything else, either. You know what I'm saying?"
Rated 14 May 2019
nilooravaeinilooravaei
Rated 24 Dec 2013
86
77th
i definitely appreciate this film more upon a second viewing. i remember i wasn't entirely satisfied with the ending the first time i watched it, but this time, having a better understanding of the characters, it made perfect sense to me. really enjoyed the development of mary tyler moore's character as a three-dimensional antagonist. the film did great work on character and embedding the theme within those characters. resulted in some moving moments.
Rated 24 Dec 2013
phantom_nookPhantom Nook
Rated 15 Dec 2016
73
49th
It spends about an hour establishing the drama and conflict, which is about how long it takes for the drama and conflict to become interesting.
Rated 15 Dec 2016
3drevelation3dRevelation
Rated 10 Mar 2012
75
62nd
It was decent, but I don't know about Best Picture decent. The performances are great and are the best part of the film, but the story is kind of simple. Hutton was excellent, but Moore and Sutherland are good. A decent debut from Redford. I'd say it is about equal to In the Bedroom as these two films seem very similar.
Rated 10 Mar 2012
jhmclellanjhmclellan
Rated 14 Aug 2007
95
96th
A great character movie, and who would think of Mary Tyler Moore as an evil bitch?
Rated 14 Aug 2007
vengefulkbmVengefulKBM
Rated 11 Feb 2015
90
92nd
An absolute master class in acting. Mary Tyler Moore is brilliant playing against type.
Rated 11 Feb 2015
war_machineWar Machine
Rated 02 Oct 2018
70
53rd
Catcherintherye+goodfightwithmom+ilovedhisdatetilsheeasilylaughedaftersuicidetalkwithhim+hishospitalfriendkilledherself+psychehelpshimnotsuicideetcbreakthroughs+makesupwithdated+dadfightwithmomtonothateson-almostgetsthroughtoher-fightagainsheleaves
Rated 02 Oct 2018
glm01glm01
Rated 22 Oct 2013
85
83rd
84.500
Rated 22 Oct 2013
lookinglandLookingLand
Rated 16 Nov 2007
60
69th
somewhat dated drama, but great performances.
Rated 16 Nov 2007
cinemaveriteCinemaVerite
Rated 07 Mar 2008
75
72nd
A solid film with oscar-worthy performances by Hutton and Moore that nonetheless seems a bit too easy and less than truthful
Rated 07 Mar 2008
spikycactusSpikyCactus
Rated 09 Jun 2012
70
46th
Top badass moment? In a depressing film about depressing things, what could be more badass than a scene where the most depressing (and best) book in the world is discussed? Thomas Hardy's "Jude of Obscure". Thomas Hardy, the original emo; (and incidentally the best author in the history of the universe, ever). It's simply badass. 0 cats and 0 decapitations.
Rated 09 Jun 2012
frankhowleyFrankHowley
Rated 05 Jan 2011
55
19th
more like Ordinary movie!!!! b000ring ZzZzZzZ
Rated 05 Jan 2011
alex_watkinsAlex Watkins
Rated 06 Jun 2009
3
38th
Known as That Movie That Beat Raging Bell for Best Picture (What the Fuck), but it's a pretty good movie in its own right. The acting is damn good, especially Moore, who is thoroughly convincing as the loveless mother. The material is a bit simplistic, but the intensity and earnestness of the film overcomes this for the most part.
Rated 06 Jun 2009
caprimodecaprimode
Rated 01 May 2013
90
88th
Mary Tyler Moore is the stand-out in this family drama, though the entire cast is great. Moore plays the non-affectionate mother in the family that recently had one of their two sons die, and the other one attempt suicide. It is a good family drama that analyzes all of their problems effectively, even if the son (Hutton's Oscar winning role) is the primary focus. A bit melodramatic, though that doesn't bother me.
Rated 01 May 2013
comepeliculacomepelicula
Rated 03 Oct 2017
70
72nd
This is an ambitious movie that takes on difficult subjects as depression, suicide and death, it manages to be very emotional and takes on a good angle, but it somehow comes short in some story lines and characters, but is a good movie.
Rated 03 Oct 2017
bratingsbratings
Rated 20 Nov 2016
90
78th
Robert Redford's character-driven Ordinary People is an emotionally heavy experience, but it's also a rewarding one, and benefits tremendously from the performances of Timothy Hutton, Donald Sutherland, Mary Tyler Moore, and Judd Hirsch.
Rated 20 Nov 2016
kasperlKasperL
Rated 19 Jan 2008
85
94th
Top-tier melodrama.
Rated 19 Jan 2008
boomdiddlyboomdiddly
Rated 19 Oct 2015
95
97th
Hutton is fantastic and the story is both engaging and subtle, using without abusing flashbacks. This is one year the Academy got right.
Rated 19 Oct 2015
pickpocketPickpocket
Rated 20 Jul 2009
0
4th
Sappy, predictable and just all around bad. Gives A Beautiful Mind a run for worst best picture winner ever. I know this is cliched but how did this beat Raging Bull? Pathetic. I didn't care about any of the idiotic characters and they never give you a reason to. Sutherland is solid though and all the scenes with him are pretty legit, except the ending. Gayest ending ever.
Rated 20 Jul 2009
parcalihamparcaliham
Rated 28 Mar 2007
85
77th
Þubat 07
Rated 28 Mar 2007
thedicemanTheDiceman
Rated 19 Mar 2007
70
82nd
Pretty good.
Rated 19 Mar 2007
aaautinAAAutin
Rated 06 Jul 2011
41
30th
Enough with the Pachelbel already! I expected a wedding to break out around every corner...
Rated 06 Jul 2011
thatyoungmthatyoungm
Rated 26 Dec 2022
87
45th
A quiet and often poignant drama that rests on the power of its performances. The entire cast is stunning here and the film finds its emotion in the quieter moments that often lead to more explosive ones.
Rated 26 Dec 2022
leonardisLeonardis
Rated 16 Jun 2012
93
75th
It's pretty sorrowful, but without Robert Redford's directing and the lead performance from the young Timothy Hutton, Ordinary people wouldn't be the same film it still is, an Oscar-worthy drama. The other leads are excellent too.
Rated 16 Jun 2012
moribunnyMoribunny
Rated 14 Aug 2007
68
70th
Very nice.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
theyshoot10theyshoot10
Rated 15 Jan 2010
63
26th
748
Rated 15 Jan 2010
theyshoot11theyshoot11
Rated 02 Dec 2011
60
20th
#799
Rated 02 Dec 2011
dorkovskyDorkovsky
Rated 03 Aug 2008
10
99th
There are a lot of different themes going on here, and they all come together perfectly. I do understand the Oscar backlash though, this is certainly no Raging Bull.
Rated 03 Aug 2008
nperezNPerez
Rated 01 May 2008
80
37th
Far above average, far below great. I liked the main character, but when the movie focused on the family it just felt off, and a little stereotypical. This is from 1980 though, so I guess these cliches were just being born.
Rated 01 May 2008

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