Devastated by the loss of their older son, well-to-do suburban couple Calvin (Donald Sutherland) and Beth (Mary Tyler Moore) are trying to rebuild their lives after their younger son, Conrad (Timothy Hutton), attempts suicide. While Beth, who always favored the elder son, retreats into an icy, emotionless shell, Calvin tries to draw Conrad back into the family and into life as a teenager. Conrad sings in the choir and returns to the swim team, but both his brother's death and his own experiences traumatize him. Conrad reluctantly begins therapy sessions with Berger (Judd Hirsch), which allow him some respite from the unbearable grief and guilt he carries with him. As Conrad makes strides, Calvin realizes that he no longer knows his wife and is both saddened and angered by how seemingly emotionless she has become. A classic portrait of family life in the face of tragedy, Robert Redford's award-winning directorial debut is moving and thought provoking. Based on the novel by Judith Guest, the film features the debuts of Timothy Hutton and Elizabeth McGovern as well as breakthrough performances from Mary Tyler Moore and Donald Sutherland.

With the pain from the death of their older son still fresh, Calvin and Beth try to help their remaining son, Conrad, recover from a suicide attempt. Overcome with guilt and grief related to his brother's death, Conrad tries to return to the life of a normal high school student but finds it difficult, with memories of his brother surrounding him and the coldness his mother exhibits almost unbearable.

ORDINARY PEOPLE marked the film debuts of actors Timothy Hutton and Elizabeth McGovern.

This film marked Robert Redford's film-directing debut. Redford bought Judith Guest's first, unpublished novel for this film.

Mary Tyler Moore's son committed suicide a month after the film's release.

Patrick Markey (now a producer) was location manager.

DVD Features:

Region 1
Keep Case - Sensormatic
Anamorphic Widescreen - 1.85
Single Side - Dual Layer
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
Dolby Digital Mono - English
Dolby Digital Mono - French
Additional Release Material:
Trailers - 1. Original Theatrical Trailer
Interactive Features:
Interactive Menus
Scene Selection

Donald Sutherland: Canadian Actor
Mary Tyler Moore: American TV/Film Actress
Timothy Hutton: American Actor "Ordinary People"/Son Of Actor Jim Hutton
Judd Hirsch: American Actor, TAXI
Basil Hoffman: American Character Actor

Robert Redford: Actor/Director/Producer

Marvin Hamlisch: Legendary film composer

"...A moving, intelligent and funny film....Moore is remarkably fine..."
Included in the New York Times "10 BEST FILMS OF 1980"
"...It's still a fine movie..."
"...The actor's first -- and best -- film behind the camera won Best Picture and netted him a directing Oscar..."