Ordinary People
Beth, Calvin, and their son Conrad are living in the aftermath of the death of the other son. Conrad is overcome by grief and misplaced guilt to the extent of a suicide attempt. He is in therapy. Beth had always preferred his brother and is having difficulty being supportive to Conrad. Calvin is trapped between the two trying to hold the family together.
Critics Sentiment
Conrad's middle-of-the-night breakthrough session with Dr. Berger
Conrad learns his hospital friend Karen has taken her life
The dramatic shift from Conrad learning of Karen's suicide to his cathartic breakthrough with Dr. Berger represents a 2.6-point swing from devastation to emotional liberation.
Critics consistently praised Ordinary People as a masterfully crafted family drama with exceptional performances, particularly Timothy Hutton's debut and Mary Tyler Moore's against-type role. While some noted the film's heavy emotional weight and occasional dated elements, most reviewers found it to be an intelligent, honest examination of family dysfunction and healing. The film builds steadily through realistic family tensions to a powerful therapeutic breakthrough, concluding with a bittersweet but hopeful resolution.
Full cast
Showing 20 of 46
Donald Sutherland
Calvin Jarrett
Mary Tyler Moore
Beth Jarrett
Judd Hirsch
Dr. Berger
Timothy Hutton
Conrad Jarrett
M. Emmet Walsh
Swim Coach
Elizabeth McGovern
Jeannine Pratt
Dinah Manoff
Karen
Fredric Lehne
Lazenby
James B. Sikking
Ray Hanley
Basil Hoffman
Sloan
Quinn K. Redeker
Ward
Mariclare Costello
Audrey
Meg Mundy
Grandmother
Elizabeth Hubbard
Ruth
Adam Baldwin
Stillman
Richard Whiting
Grandfather
Scott Doebler
Buck Jarrett
Carl DiTomasso
Van Buren
Tim Clarke
Truan
Ken Dishner
Genthe
Crew
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