Ordinary People

After the accidental death of their older son, a family confronts the raw ache of loss. The surviving teenager, Conrad, spirals into guilt and humiliation, even attempting to end his life. He begins therapy, hoping to make sense of his pain. His mother Beth carries her grief but often appears distant, having preferred the brother who died and finding it hard to offer real support. Father Calvin moves between them, trying to steady the household and keep communication alive. As the household faces unsettled loyalties, old resentments surface and the path toward reconciliation remains uncertain. The story also flags how quiet routines can mask deep pain. The film stays focused on the painful process of healing for each character together.

Released in 1980, Robert Redford directs this adaptation of Judith Guest's 1976 novel with screenplay by Alvin Sargent, and a standout ensemble led by Donald Sutherland, Mary Tyler Moore, Judd Hirsch, and Timothy Hutton. The film helped define intimate drama.

The drama earned about $54.8 million worldwide on a $6 million budget, a strong return for a serious character study and a testament to its word of mouth and awards attention from critics and audiences alike globally at the time.

At the 1981 Academy Awards the film won four prizes: Best Picture, Best Director for Redford, Best Supporting Actress for Mary Tyler Moore, and Best Adapted Screenplay for Alvin Sargent, cementing Ordinary People as a landmark American drama and leaving a lasting impression on cinema globally for a new generation.

Critics praised Redford's restrained approach and the strong performances, especially Timothy Hutton as Conrad, for portraying grief and guilt without melodrama. The drama probes how a family grapples with loss, the weight of memory, and the slow work of honest communication. Its restrained tone helped redefine family storytelling in cinema.