(So much for the image of The Perfect Family…)
CAST: Donald Sutherland, Mary Tyler Moore, Timothy Hutton, Judd Hirsch, Elizabeth McGovern, M. Emmett Walsh, Dinah Manoff.
DIRECTOR: Robert Redford
WARNING: Some SPOILERS and one family seriously imploding straight ahead…
FAVORITE OF: Mine
IN A NUTSHELL: Calvin and Beth Jarrett (Donald Sutherland, Mary Tyler Moore) and their son teenage son Conrad (Timothy Hutton) are affluent Chicago WASPs. They seem like the perfect family. Under that flawless façade, however, their family is slowly falling apart. The reasons: (1) the accidental drowning of their beloved oldest son Buck (Scott Doebler) while sailing one day with Conrad; and (2) Conrad’s suicide attempt afterwards because of feeling guilty for having survived the incident. After Conrad is released from the hospital, he tries to put his life back together with the help of Calvin. Beth, however, deals with the whole thing through denial and emotional distance. Will Conrad get back on his feet? Or will he relapse and end up in the hospital again? How far will Calvin go to save his son? What’s up with Beth, anyway? Did part of her die when Buck died? Find out for yourselves. Just make sure to bring a Kleenex.
WHY I LOVE IT: Not too long ago, a friend asked me what my favorite film of all time is. “Your favorite of all your favorites,” he said. “What is it?” I think he expected me to say something like GLADIATOR (which is indeed up there but not #1), REAR WINDOW (which is #3), or either ROLE MODELS or THE HANGOVER (which are new members of the Top 10).
However, when I replied that ORDINARY PEOPLE was my #1 favorite movie of all time, all he could do was stare at me for a few moments. Then he incredulously asked “You mean that movie Robert Redford directed back in the early 80’s about that family who lost their oldest son and now the younger son is falling apart?” When I said yes, he stared at me for a few seconds more, and when he realized I was serious, he said “Wow. You’re complex.”
Not really. I just have varied and multiple interests that I choose not to share or talk about with just anybody. I can keep an interest or hobby to myself for so long that when I finally talk about, it seems new - but it most definitely isn't. Such is the case with soccer, this blog, and ORDINARY PEOPLE.
I’ve always loved ORDINARY PEOPLE, ever since I saw it as a kid. The natural assumption would be it’s because I lived through something similar and therefore sympathized with the Jarrett family. Well, that’s not an accurate one, because while my family was not exactly the Brady Bunch, we were actually overall quite happy. And, yes, I did lose an older brother but it wasn’t similar to the way the Jarretts lost Buck in the movie. Not even close.
The reason I love ORDINARY PEOPLE is because it is written, directed, and acted in such a way that anyone can empathize with what the Jarrett family is going through. One of the reviews of ORDINARY PEOPLE from when it first came out in 1980 said: “Some movies you watch, others you feel.” I can’t think of a more appropriate description. Just as I mentioned in my review of GLADIATOR, we go to movies to experience emotion - whether to be excited, sad, scared, or happy. And some films are more effective at making us feel than others. GLADIATOR and ORDINARY PEOPLE are two examples.
What I love the most about ORDINARY PEOPLE is how subtle and quiet it is. There are no explosions, no chase scenes, no mystery to solve, no sexual encounters, no flashy montage sequences. Don’t get me wrong - all those things are fine, but they have no place in this movie. Ironically, though, while Calvin, Beth, and Conrad may not be in any physical danger (excepting the potential for Conrad to try to kill himself again), they are most definitely in emotional danger. Their family unit is at stake, as if Buck was the string that held them together, and now that he’s gone they are all unraveling.
The actors are all stellar and have numerous scenes and moments where they shine either individually or together. Donald Sutherland perfectly captures Calvin’s sunny disposition and open heart. The scenes where he fearlessly and determinedly reaches out to Conrad to keep him from relapsing are played with such subtle power. Clearly, Calvin is someone who loves with all his heart, and you see the strength of his devotion to his son with every word and gesture. Sutherland is absolutely terrific. Especially in the garage scene where he talks to Beth about Buck's funeral (second video above).
Regarding Conrad, Timothy Hutton won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor that year - and deservedly so. He turns Conrad into a compelling blend of shy intelligence, child-like petulance, and unexpected courage and maturity. It’s a terrific role, and Hutton dives into it with conviction and passion. He more than holds his own against his more experienced castmates - and even steals some scenes from them. Watching Conrad wrestle not only with his own feelings of guilt for having survived while his adored older brother Buck didn’t, but also with his fear that he may not be able to put his life back together, is sometimes difficult. But the great thing about the character of Conrad is his hidden resilience, which comes to the fore during the course of the film - with the help of a tough-talking but kind-hearted shrink (Judd Hirsch).
Mary Tyler Moore’s performance as Beth Jarrett is riveting and bravura, but the character herself has gotten quite the bum rap from some critics and audiences. They paint her as the “Mother From Hell.” The truth of the matter is Beth is a good mother. It’s just that her way of dealing with pain and emotional crisis is to freeze up and lock away her feelings - a completely understandable reaction. The problem is Conrad needs her to actively be there for him as his mother during this difficult time. If Beth were more brave, she would cast aside her own feelings and reach out to her son. The problem is, as Calvin himself says, she is too much like Conrad. They are both very private and hide their true feelings of love for one another - and are each afraid to make the first move. The result is the misconception that they hate each other. Moore does a flawless job of playing all of this woman's layers.
Indeed, one of my favorite scenes not just from this movie, but any movie, period, is the one in the backyard where Beth sees Conrad sitting alone, lost in thought, and she finally musters up the courage to make that first move. She tentatively approaches him and starts to almost bridge the gap between them. Unfortunately, Conrad brings up the subject of Buck, and Beth emotionally closes down - reminded of their tragic loss - and she recoils behind her wall again. In the end, Beth’s refusal to deal with the death of her older son is what keeps her from dealing with her surviving one. And it is heartbreaking to watch: two people are who are so alike - but are both afraid to meet the other half-way or even more.
To me, ORDINARY PEOPLE is a perfect movie - and director Robert Redford deserves major kudos for taking Judith Guest‘s wonderful novel and turning it into an even more terrific film. I could go on and on and tell you why it’s my #1 favorite film of all time. But, just as that review I cited mentioned, some movies you have to feel. And, sometimes with feelings, words just get in the way. It’s better if you feel ORDINARY PEOPLE for yourselves. Because it is anything but ordinary…
