Greetings,
So, is it possible for a movie that had high acclaim at one time to also be very underrated? Well, it might be rare, but I say the answer is yes. Especially when certain movies win certain awards and some people think that other certain movies should have won instead. And they still think that over thirty-five years later. Seriously, let it go. But today I will be talking about the first of those two certain movies, an extraordinary film called Ordinary People. See what I did there?
Ordinary People is a 1980 film that was named the Best Picture of said year, and as I mentioned, some people, to this day, feel as though it did not deserve to win. It kind of makes me question if they even saw it, because it is one of my favorite movies. Mostly it is that because it makes me feel...a lot! But more on that later. It stars my beloved Timothy Hutton as Conrad Jarrett, a teenager dealing with PTSD after being involved in a boating accident that killed his older brother, Buck. After a suicide attempt and a stint in a psych hospital, he begins to see Dr. Berger played by Judd Hirsch. His parents, Calvin and Beth, played by Donald Sutherland and Mary Tyler Moore respectively, are dealing with all of this, or not dealing with it, in their own ways. Calvin is doing his best to try and understand the feelings of his surviving family members, whilst Beth seems to be in complete denial about everything that has happened, attempting to do the impossible - live in a past that no longer exists. Oh, and by the way, I must give a bit of a warning. You know how there some people who no one can ever hate, like Betty White or Mr. Rodgers or Grimace? And also Mary Tyler Moore. Everyone loves her. Well, prepare yourself. It may seem impossible, but for much of the duration of this film, you will probably not like her very much. You might even hate her. I know I did. Granted, I understand why she is behaving as she is, but still. Again, more on that later.
Basically, the plot is just watching this family trying to figure out what to do in a situation that no one is equipped to handle. I know that may not seem like much, just watching people live through a tragedy, or to be more accurately, its aftermath, but trust me, this is one of those films that carries out a somewhat simple story in a brilliant way. And the brilliance comes mostly from the actors. In addition to those I already mentioned, keep an eye out for some other familiar faces in smaller roles, like Dinah Manoff, Elizabeth McGovern, M. Emmet Walsh and Adam Baldwin. Everyone is fantastic in this. Of course, when it comes to those four main actors I spoke of earlier, they all bring something extraordinary. There's that word. again. I can commend Judd Hirsch, playing a doctor who has seen people's hardships from the outside and tries desperately to help, or Donald Sutherland, portraying a father who is trying to hold together what he has left, or Mary Tyler Moore, as a woman fighting to oppress reality so she does not have to deal with life's most excruciating pain. But if I'm being honest, the sun of this film rises and sets on the performance of Timothy Hutton. Hard to believe he did this when he hadn't even reached the age of twenty. No doubt about it, he is absolutely exquisite, and he breaks my heart every time I watch this. And that really is the sign of serious mastery in film making. When you can watch something or someone over and over again, and the effect never diminishes. And speaking of mastery in film making, I would be remiss if I didn't mention the director here, Robert Redford. Yeah, that's right. He has directed TWO of my all time favorite films. This one included, obviously.
So, are there any other reasons why I love Ordinary People so much? Why, yes, and it kind of lies right there in the title. I've always loved movies and stories that are very character driven. I love seeing how people are and how they live and how they deal with everyday life, even when everyday life changes for them. Look, I'm fine with films that take people away to a fantasy world, but to me, there's nothing more moving than being confronted with a reality that is not your own but that very well could be. What happened to the family in this film could happen to any of us. That's what makes it so compelling, fearful even. And honestly, we need to be reminded of what could be for us, so that we can more appreciate the blessings we have and not get complacent about them. If I may make an analysis on the mother character here, I always felt as though she had such a good life, perhaps one that was near perfect, that her gratitude for it turned into a kind of entitlement. She may have begun to feel that this perfect life was a guarantee, so when it was taken from her, the only reaction could be one of anger, of "How dare anything or anyone ruin what the life that is owed to me!" Trouble is, she had no idea how to deal with that anger or grief, so instead of pulling close what family she had left, she dug a canyon between herself and them. All the while, we sit and watch, wondering if they'll build a bridge to one another so they can heal or all fall over the edge. It's a grim set of thoughts, but I think they are things we all need to think about sometimes. So, yes, I am grateful for films like this that help us do that.
I suppose I should wrap this up. I am absolutely recommending that everyone take a look at Ordinary People. No, it's not always easy to watch. In fact, it's not mostly easy to watch, but as I said, it will make you feel something. It will make you think. And hopefully, it will make you appreciate what and who you have.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
