Reviewers praised Redford's direction, Sargent's screenplay, and the performances of the cast. Ordinary People was released theatrically on September 19, 1980, by Paramount Pictures to critical and commercial success. It stars Donald Sutherland, Mary Tyler Moore, Judd Hirsch, and Timothy Hutton. The film follows the disintegration of an upper-middle class family in Lake Forest, Illinois, following the accidental death of one of their two sons and the attempted suicide of the other. The screenplay by Alvin Sargent is based on the 1976 novel of the same name by Judith Guest.

Just watch this movie with an open mind, because it really works on every level as a powerful family drama detailing the persona of many different types of people.Ordinary People is a 1980 American drama film directed by Robert Redford in his directorial debut. After all, Raging Bull is an all time classic. Many people have preconceived opinions about this 'small' film they have not heard of. While both movies are excellent, its sad that one has to be better than the other and people just don't enjoy both movies for what they are. Unfortunately this movie has received somewhat of a bad reputation over the years as the film that beat Raging Bull in 1980 for the Best Picture and Director Oscars. The actors really carry the film, making the characters seem like real people we've known for years. Each character has a unique sense of reality to them. When I saw this tonight, I related more to the adults and could really feel for them a lot more than I remembered. When I first saw this at a young age I related completely to Conrad's character. Its an excellent look at the problems we all face. The story may seem simple but this type of film really doesn't need a heavy plot.

As has been stated, the acting is magnificent. By the end of the movie, the audience truly feels for all characters to some degree. Berger, also played brilliantly by Judd Hirsch, helps Conrad through thick and thin. Reluctantly, he begins to see a shrink at the advice of his father. Conrad of course feels responsible, and has already tried to take his own life once before. Conrad, played brilliantly by Timothy Hutton in an Oscar winning role, is the depressed suicidal son of a couple struggling to cope with their son's drowning death. By the end, our thoughts have been altered a bit and its a film that leaves you thinking. This is a powerful directing debut from Robert Redford, a great family drama that goes every which way but down.

Ordinary People by Judith Guest