Ordinary People

Based on the bestselling novel by Judith Guest, Redford's first directorial effort takes place in one of the wealthiest spots in the country, Lake Forest, Illinois, and the "ordinary" people are the Jarret family: Calvin, the father (Sutherland), a successful tax attorney and ineffectual nice guy; Beth, the mother (Moore), a gracious but icily repressed suburbanite; and Conrad, their son (Hutton), who spent four months in a mental hospital after slashing his wrists. Conrad's troubles unfold slowly: his older brother Buck (mother's favorite) died in a boating accident which Conrad survived. Beth "buried the best of her love" with Buck, and Conrad has been punishing himself ever since. Beth's rejection, Calvin's ineffectual concern and Conrad's own self-criticism and guilt conspire to make the kid a wreck. But it's not all downhill; Conrad gets help from his psychiatrist (Hirsch), who adds some welcome humor, and a charming, slightly awkward girl from choir practice (Elizabeth McGovern).

Redford should be proud. There are very few self-conscious director's tricks here; although the plot is relatively straightforward, this in no way diminishes the tension. And the performances are awesome.

Moore, at first recognizable and likeable as TV's Mary Richards, pulls off a difficult, unsympathetic role with complete authority. She never flinches, and at long last she neutralizes those dreadful movies she made in the Sixties (Change of Habit, etc.) Sutherland, so erratic he's sometimes brilliant and sometimes awful, is perfect here, understated but with multiple dimensions to his soft-spoken character. They're all perfect, but I have a clear favorite--young Hutton. He's so confused, so pained, intelligent and vulnerable, I ached for him. Since I never read the book, I spent most of the movie tensely hoping nothing bad would come of him.

In a year of dreadful films, we suddenly have a choice of several (Resurrection, Santini)--but they don't just triumph by default. Ordinary People, especially, would stand out in the best of years.