Directed by:
Robert RedfordCinematography:
John BaileyComposer:
Marvin HamlischCast:
Donald Sutherland, Mary Tyler Moore, Judd Hirsch, Timothy Hutton, M. Emmet Walsh, Elizabeth McGovern, Dinah Manoff, Adam Baldwin, Fredric Lehne (more)VOD (1)
Plots(1)
Robert Redford's directorial debut ended up the 1980 Oscar winner for Best Picture. It is a simple but painfully emotional story of the disintegration of a "perfect" family. Teenager Conrad (Timothy Hutton) lives under a cloud of guilt after his brother drowns after their boat capsizes in Lake Michigan. Despite intensive therapy sessions with his psychiatrist (Judd Hirsch), Conrad can't shake the belief that he should have died instead of his brother; nor do his preoccupied parents (Donald Sutherland and Mary Tyler Moore) offer much in the way of solace. The boy is brought out of his doldrums through his romance with Jeannine (Elizabeth McGovern). A winner in every respect, Ordinary People (adapted from the novel by Judith Guest) scores highest in the scenes with Mary Tyler Moore, who superbly and perceptively portrays a blinkered, ever-smiling suburban wife and mother for whom outward appearance is all that matters. The film won altogether 4 Oscar awards. (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Awards
- Winner
- Nominations
Academy Awards
- 1981 - Best Motion Picture of the Year
- 1981 - Robert Redford (Best Achievement in Directing)
- 1981 - Timothy Hutton (Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role)
- 1981 - Alvin Sargent (Best Adapted Screenplay)
- 1981 - Mary Tyler Moore (Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role)
- 1981 - Judd Hirsch (Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role)
British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA)
- 1982 - Mary Tyler Moore (Best Leading Actress)
- 1982 - Timothy Hutton (Most Promising Newcomer to Film)
Golden Globes
- 1981 - Best Motion Picture – Drama
- 1981 - Robert Redford (Best Director)
- 1981 - Mary Tyler Moore (Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama)
- 1981 - Timothy Hutton (Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture)
- 1981 - Alvin Sargent (Best Screenplay)
- 1981 - Donald Sutherland (Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama)
- 1981 - Judd Hirsch (Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture)
Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards
- 1980 - Timothy Hutton (Best Supporting Actor)
New York Film Critics Circle Awards
- 1980 - Best Film
- 1980 - Robert Redford (Best Director)
- 1980 - Mary Tyler Moore (Best Actress)
- 1980 - Timothy Hutton (Best Supporting Actor)