Ordinary People

1980
R
2h 4m

IMDb RATING

7.7/10

58K

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POPULARITY

Play trailer2:26

Psychological Drama Drama

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.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.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.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.7/10

58K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

4,252

660

See production info at IMDbPro

Won 4 Oscars
- 21 wins & 14 nominations total

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Trailer 2:26

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Clip 1:33

Watch 'Ordinary People' | Anniversary Mashup

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Storyline

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Trivia
Timothy Hutton's father, actor Jim Hutton, died just months prior to filming. However, Hutton stated he did not use his mourning as a basis for Conrad's depression. Also, actress Mary Tyler Moore's only son, Richie Meeker, accidentally shot himself a month after the film's release. Moore was also separated from her husband, producer Grant Tinker, during filming.

Goofs
The golf scene is set on the 18th hole of the golf course but they are seen leaving the practice green (multiple holes in the putting surface are visible).

Quotes
Beth Jarrett: Calvin? Why are you crying? Can I, uh... can I get you something?
Calvin "Cal" Jarrett: I don't...
Beth Jarrett: What did you say? Calvin, what did you say?
[Calvin sighs heavily]
Beth Jarrett: Tell me.
Calvin "Cal" Jarrett: You are beautiful. And you are unpredictable. But you're so cautious. You're determined, Beth, but you know something? You're not strong. And I don't know if you're really giving. Tell me something. Do you love me? Do you really love me?
Beth Jarrett: I feel the way I've always felt about you.
[pause]
Calvin "Cal" Jarrett: We would have been all right if there hadn't been any... mess. But you can't handle mess. You need everything neat and easy. I don't know. Maybe you can't love anybody. It was so much Buck. When Buck died, it was as if you buried all your love with him, and I don't understand that. I just don't know, I don't... maybe it wasn't even Buck. Maybe it was just you. Maybe, finally, it was the best of you that you buried. But whatever it was... I don't know who you are. And I don't know what we've been playing at. So I was crying. Because I don't know if I love you anymore. And I don't know what I'm going to do without that.

Connections
Edited into Give Me Your Answer True (1987)

Soundtracks
Canon in D major
Composed by Johann Pachelbel
Arranged for mixed voices by Noel Goemanne
Additional arrangement by Jean-François Paillard (as Jean-Francois Paillard)

User reviews390

Review

Featured review

10/10

This movie saved my life

I was 16 years old in 1984 when I first saw this movie. I was also clinically depressed and suicidal. I had been on antidepressants for about a year (in the pre-prozac days) and I happened to see this movie on Showtime or HBO - almost by accident. Timothy Hutton perfectly captures what it's like to be depressed as a teenager. And Judd Hirsch and Hutton perfectly capture the patient/therapist relationship. There are also a few perfect little scenes that capture the problems of a family that can't communicate. Especially memorable is the scene where Calvin tells Beth about the shoes he wore to Buck's funeral. This film captures all of the important moments like this that truly demonstrate the problems the family is having. After seeing it, I read the book and I knew that if Conrad could go on, so could I. I watch this movie once every few years. It really means a lot to me.