Ordinary People is a good movie with a well developed plot and a great cast. It is a very moving film as we follow a young boy struggling to coup with the loss of his older brother. It has some very hard hitting moments, and certainly does not beat around the bushes in terms of depression, the cast is all around impressive, the highlights certainly being Donald Sutherland and Mary Tyler Moore for me, who are both very convincing as a troubled couple who are trying to keep their son safe, while managing their own personal traumas. I did find the film to be very preachy on the subject of mental health, it was really shoving information on how to coup with it and maintaining a healthy one. There were times where the dialogue felt more like a theatre in education piece rather than two real humans having a proper, wholesome conversation. While it is one of the most vital parts of the movie, I found the scenes between Timothy Hutton and Judd Hirsch to be very poor. There was a complete lack of chemistry between them and Hirsch seemed very out of place in this therapist role. All of their sessions together seemed like Hutton was trying to give all he could, with Hirsch giving nothing back in return, he is a far better comedic actor. I enjoyed it for what it was, but I do not think it deserves the praise it has received, there are far better films with less Oscars. Not without its flaws, Ordinary People is still an impressive directorial debut from Robert Redford, I would recommend it if you are looking for a good drama, just do not go out of your way to see it. A young boy struggles to coup with his mundane life following the death of his older brother. Best Performance: Donald Sutherland / Worst Performance: Judd Hirsch

I know that there's a lot of people who feel that the performances in this movie are brilliant etc. Honestly, I just found it kind of depressing, and not particularly entertaining or inspirational. I feel like there's enough misery in the world - on a Friday night I'm not wanting to depress myself even more with a movie like this. Just not my thing at all.

it is one of my favorite films. for its honest portrait of a family's crisis. for the high performances. for the exploration of confuse universe of a teenager. for the wise manner to define the need to be yourself. and for its message. a film about life who could be sentimental or bitter. it is only honest. like a testimony about choices, words, secrets and need of the other. about selfish and courage to see the other. Robert Redford does a brilliant job. and that is the axis for a drama who seems special for using a large category of crisis. because it suggest more than propose. because it not gives answers but few questions. Conrad of Timoty Hutton is one of characters who discovers many hidden aspects of the viewer's life. to suggest is the key of its strange beauty. and the precise construction of each scene. a film about solitude and guilty and truth. remarkable altogether.

In Illinois, the upper-middle-class family Jarrett is living a trauma in their lives, with the loss of their beloved son Buck followed by the attempt of suicide of his younger brother Conrad (Timothy Hutton). Conrad's father Calvin (Donald Sutherland) is a good man of few words and his mother Beth (Mary Tyler Moore) is a cold-hearted woman that loved Buck and has always been bitter and never supported Conrad, who is under therapy with Dr. Berger (Judd Hirsch). The greatest concern of Beth is to live her perfect life, denying affection to her son. Conrad blames himself for the death of his brother since they were sailing in a bad weather and when one string jammed in the block, he was not able to release it, capsizing the boat. Conrad has difficulties to reestablish his relationship with his friend and quits the swimming team of his school.When Conrad meets Karen (Dinah Manoff), who was interned with him in the same psychiatric clinic also for attempt suicide, he feels better. And when he dates the gorgeous student from the choir Jeannine (Elizabeth McGovern), he begins to see the world with other eyes. But his problem of relationship with his mother associated to the death of Karen, who committed suicide, brings him back to the rock bottom and he runs to meet Dr. Berger. Will the psychiatrist succeed in helping Conrad? "Ordinary People" is a powerful and heartbreaking drama, one of the best American dramas from the 80's. This film is also a milestone in the career of Robert Redford since it is his directorial debut. "Ordinary People" has top-notch direction and performances; the screenplay is very well-written with powerful lines. The timeless story is well-resolved with the realistic decision of the shattered Jarrett family. My vote is eight.Title (Brazil): "Gente Como a Gente" ("People Like Us")