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Ordinary People

Oscar™ Best Picture - Winning Movies

7.2

9,419

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Original title

Ordinary People

Year

1980

Running time

123 min.

Country

United States

Director

Robert Redford

Screenwriter

Alvin Sargent. Novel: Judith Guest

Cast

Music

Various

Cinematography

John Bailey

Producer

Paramount Pictures

Genre

Drama | Family Relationships. Teen/coming-of-age. Psychological Drama

Synopsis

Teen-aged brothers and best friends Buck and Conrad Jarrett were involved in a boating accident which claimed Buck's life. Shortly thereafter, Conrad tried to commit suicide. After a four month hospitalization, Conrad is back in his upper middle class suburban Chicago home with his parents, Calvin and Beth Jarrett. The Jarretts collectively are publicly trying to get on with their lives, Conrad who is back at high school in his senior year partaking in his old activities such as the swim team and choir. But things in the Jarrett household are not all right. Although stating he is unsure why he decides to do so, Conrad restarts his psychiatric therapy outside of the hospital with a Dr. Berger. This therapy may be able to uncover the reasons for the Jarrett's collective unhappiness, and leads each to examine not only the overall family dynamic but the individual relationships with each of the other two.

Awards: 1980: 4 Academy Awards: Best Movie, Director, Supporting Actor (Hutton), Adapted Screenplay. 6 Nominations

1980: 5 Golden Globes, including Best Movie - Drama. 8 nominations

1980: National Board of Review: Best Film

1980: New York Film Critics Circle: Best Film. 4 Nominations

1980: Los Angeles Film Critics Association: Best Supporting Actor (Hutton)

1980: Directors Guild of America (DGA): Best Director

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User history

Ordinary People

1980

Robert Redford

7.2

(9,419)