Ordinary People (1980)

Last updated:
September 7, 2025

Robert Redford’s directorial debut, Ordinary People (1980), is one of those quiet, devastating dramas that sneaks up on you and never quite leaves your mind. Based on Judith Guest’s novel, it explores grief, guilt, and family dysfunction with raw emotional honesty. Let’s dive into every angle of this Academy Award-winning film.

Table of Contents

Detailed Summary

A Family in Mourning

The Jarrett family—Calvin (Donald Sutherland), Beth (Mary Tyler Moore), and their teenage son Conrad (Timothy Hutton)—live in an upper-middle-class Chicago suburb. On the surface, they appear stable, but underneath lies trauma: their older son Buck has recently died in a boating accident, and Conrad has survived a suicide attempt that landed him in a psychiatric hospital.

Conrad’s Struggles

Conrad returns home after treatment, but he struggles with guilt, insomnia, and difficulty reconnecting with his friends. He feels alienated from his mother, Beth, who insists on maintaining appearances and resists acknowledging their grief. His father Calvin tries to hold the family together, but he too feels the strain of silence and emotional repression.

Therapy and Healing

Conrad begins seeing Dr. Berger (Judd Hirsch), a psychiatrist who encourages him to confront his feelings rather than bury them. Through his sessions, Conrad gradually begins to process the survivor’s guilt over Buck’s death and his own suicide attempt. His tentative romance with Jeannine (Elizabeth McGovern) offers a glimpse of hope, though Conrad’s emotional wounds remain raw.

Family Tensions Boil Over

The tension between Conrad and Beth escalates throughout the film. Beth cannot forgive Conrad for disrupting the family’s “perfect” image, and she avoids any discussion of Buck’s death. Calvin, meanwhile, becomes increasingly frustrated with Beth’s coldness.

Movie Ending

The climax arrives when Conrad finally breaks down during a session with Dr. Berger, admitting his guilt and pain over Buck’s death. He recalls the accident in detail, revealing that he blames himself for not saving his brother during the storm. Dr. Berger helps him see that survival does not equal fault, allowing Conrad to finally release some of his crushing guilt.

At home, the emotional divide reaches its peak. Calvin confronts Beth about her inability to show love and affection, particularly toward Conrad. He tells her that he no longer knows if he loves her because she refuses to open up emotionally. This confrontation shatters Beth’s carefully constructed façade. Rather than attempt reconciliation, she silently packs her bags and leaves.

The film closes with Conrad and Calvin sharing a vulnerable moment on the porch. Calvin reassures Conrad of his love, and they embrace. The ending is bittersweet: Conrad finds some healing and connection with his father, but the family as they once knew it is gone forever.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, Ordinary People does not feature any post-credits scenes. The story concludes with Beth’s departure and the fragile reconnection between Conrad and Calvin. The credits roll immediately afterward, leaving the audience to sit with the emotional aftermath.

Type of Movie

Ordinary People is a psychological family drama. It focuses on grief, emotional repression, and the complexities of familial relationships rather than external action or spectacle.

Cast

Donald Sutherland as Calvin Jarrett
Mary Tyler Moore as Beth Jarrett
Timothy Hutton as Conrad Jarrett
Judd Hirsch as Dr. Berger
Elizabeth McGovern as Jeannine Pratt
Fredric Lehne as Stillman

Film Music and Composer

The score is minimal but poignant. Pachelbel’s Canon in D is used prominently, reflecting both the surface elegance and underlying sorrow of the Jarrett family. Marvin Hamlisch also contributed subtle musical elements that emphasize the emotional tone without overwhelming the performances.

Filming Locations

The film was shot primarily in Lake Forest, Illinois, a wealthy Chicago suburb. The choice of location is significant: the polished, manicured neighborhoods underscore the Jarretts’ obsession with appearances and social status, contrasting with the chaos brewing beneath their perfect suburban façade.

Awards and Nominations

Ordinary People was a critical darling, sweeping the 1981 Academy Awards:

Won: Best Picture
Won: Best Director (Robert Redford)
Won: Best Supporting Actor (Timothy Hutton)
Won: Best Adapted Screenplay (Alvin Sargent)
Nominated: Best Actress (Mary Tyler Moore), Best Supporting Actor (Judd Hirsch)

It also won several Golden Globes, including Best Motion Picture – Drama.

Behind the Scenes Insights

Robert Redford initially struggled to convince Mary Tyler Moore—America’s sweetheart from The Mary Tyler Moore Show—to play Beth, but her casting against type became one of the film’s greatest strengths.
Timothy Hutton, just 20 years old, became the youngest actor to ever win an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.
Donald Sutherland was famously snubbed by the Academy despite his widely praised performance.
Redford’s quiet directing style allowed actors to improvise small emotional beats, adding authenticity to the performances.

Inspirations and References

The movie is based on Judith Guest’s 1976 novel of the same name. Guest’s novel was groundbreaking for its unflinching portrayal of depression, therapy, and suburban dysfunction at a time when these topics were rarely discussed openly.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

No alternate endings have been released. However, some early drafts of the screenplay included more explicit confrontations between Conrad and Beth, which were later trimmed to maintain subtlety and emotional tension.

Book Adaptations and Differences

The novel provides deeper internal monologues, particularly for Conrad, revealing even more of his guilt and inner struggle. The film condenses some of these psychological details, relying instead on performance and visual cues. The book also expands on Beth’s perspective, making her less of a villain and more of a tragic figure trapped by her own emotional limitations.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

Conrad’s breakdown in Dr. Berger’s office, where he finally releases his guilt.
The family argument during the Christmas trip, exposing the Jarretts’ cracks.
The final confrontation between Calvin and Beth, leading to her silent exit.

Iconic Quotes

Conrad: “I should have been the one. Why did it have to be him?”
Calvin (to Beth): “You can’t love anyone, can you? The tragedy of our life is that you can’t.”
Dr. Berger: “Feeling is scary. And sometimes it’s painful. But it’s never a bad thing.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

The heavy use of Pachelbel’s Canon underscores the theme of repetition—grief looping endlessly until someone breaks the cycle.
The Jarrett house’s pristine, controlled design mirrors Beth’s obsession with order. Every object is in its place, even as the family emotionally crumbles.
Redford deliberately avoided melodramatic lighting, shooting in a naturalistic style to enhance realism.

Trivia

Timothy Hutton’s Oscar win launched his career but also typecast him in troubled-youth roles.
Mary Tyler Moore considered this role the hardest of her career because it was so drastically different from her public persona.
Robert Redford became the first person to win Best Director for his debut film.

Why Watch?

Because it’s not just a movie—it’s an emotional excavation. Ordinary People captures the hidden fractures in families that look perfect from the outside. It’s devastating, human, and timeless, offering both catharsis and deep reflection.

Director’s Other Movies

A River Runs Through It (1992)
Quiz Show (1994)
The Horse Whisperer (1998)
The Legend of Bagger Vance (2000)

Ordinary People (1980)