Ordinary People

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This article is about the 1980 film; songs with the same title have been performed by Mary Mary and John Legend.

Ordinary People is a 1980 American motion picture drama which tells the story of the disintegration of an upper middle class family in Lake Forest, Illinois following the death of the oldest son. It was based upon the 1976 novel by author Judith Guest. (ISBN 0140065172)

Contents

1 Plot Synopsis
2 History
3 Cast
4 Awards

4.1 Wins
4.2 Nominations

5 External link

Plot Synopsis

Calvin and Beth Jarrett experience tragedy when their two teenage sons, Buck and Conrad, are involved in a sailing accident. Buck dies, and Conrad is so tormented by Survivor guilt that he attempts suicide by slashing his wrists. When the film begins, Conrad has just returned home from a long stay in a psychiatric hospital, and he feels alienated from his friends and family. Calvin struggles to make a connection with his troubled son, but he has little help from his wife; Beth is cold, selfish, and obsessed with maintaining the appearance of perfection and "normalcy." She seems to have buried what love she had with her older son.

After a friend commits suicide, Conrad is once again in danger of succumbing to his depression. It falls on Calvin’s shoulders to salvage his family, if he indeed can. Conrad also benefits from seeing Dr. Berger, a psychiatrist who helps Conrad recover from his guilt and anger.

History

Intensely emotional, the film found resonance with many in its audience who had gone through emotional or family traumas of one type or another.

The film was shot in and around Lake Forest and Highland Park, Lake Bluff, and the school scenes were shot in Lake Forest High School. Libertyville High School was originally considered as the location for the school scenes, but it was decided that the LHS campus was too beautiful with its lakeside setting to be believeable, and decided to film at Lake Forest High School was more realistic and appropriate for the story. However, all of the pool scenes were filmed on location at Libertyville High School, which was believed to have superior aquatic facilities.

Some attention to the film centered around its performance at the Academy Awards. Robert Redford and Timothy Hutton both won Academy Awards for their respective debuts: Redford as a director and Hutton as an actor. However, the producers were criticized for only nominating Hutton for Best Supporting Actor, since his role was the major role in the film. The movie marked Mary Tyler Moore's career breakout from the stereotype of the light-hearted comedienne. Many felt that she did not win the Academy Award for this role solely because it was so out of character for her. Finally, the film won Best Picture at the Academy Awards, beating Raging Bull, which is considered by many critics to be the best film of the entire decade.

Cast

Ordinary People cast

Donald Sutherland : Calvin Jarrett
Mary Tyler Moore : Beth Jarrett
Timothy Hutton : Conrad Jarrett
Judd Hirsch : Dr. Tyrone C. Berger
Elizabeth McGovern : Jeannine Pratt
M. Emmet Walsh : Coach Salan
Dinah Manoff : Karen

Awards

Wins

Nominations

External link

[Ordinary People at IMDB]

Academy Award for Best Picture: Winners (1961-1980)

[Complete List] | [ Winners (1927–1940)] | [ Winners (1941–1960)] | [ Winners (1981–2000)] | [ Winners (2001– )]

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