The directorial debut of Robert Redford famously beat Raging Bull at the Oscars for Best Picture and Best Director, and while time has seen the folly of this decision, there is no denying that Ordinary People is an intimate and beautifully performed movie.
Ordinary People tells the story of the affluent Jarrett family, especially high school student Conrad (Timonthy Hutton) whose guilt over the death of his brother results in a suicide attempt that further places tension upon his parents (Donald Sutherland and Jane Fonda.)
Redford brings stirring emotion and impressive filmmaking skill to this story of an affluent family crumbling under the façade of normalcy. Performances from all three leads are terrific, especially from Hutton, and Mary Tyler Moore who plays against type as a mother who refuses to acknowledge the new reality upon her once perfect world.
