Showing posts with label Robert Redford. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Robert Redford. Show all posts

Saturday, January 16, 2016

659. Ordinary People

Ordinary People
1980
Directed by Robert Redford








Welcome to the 1980s everybody!  We usually start off a bit roughly, but this time we kick off with a Best Picture winner.  I disagree with the Academy about a lot, but I have absolutely no problem with Raging Bull being upstaged.  But mostly because I hate Raging Bull.

The Jarrets are a middle class family trying to recover from the accidental death of their eldest son and the attempted suicide of the surviving one.  Mary Tyler Moore is a cold bitch, while Donald Sutherland and Timothy Hutton try to heal.

I have written quite a few posts today and have just taken my nightly painkillers so I already feel myself slowing down.  Let's keep this short!  Mary Tyler Moore is absolutely fantastic in this role.  Was anybody else freaked out by her?  I don't think the goal was to scare us but she gave me chills.  I love films that are mostly dialogue and every line in this movie was genuine and emotionally real.  Down with Raging Bull!

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

Mary Tyler Moore's son died accidentally the same year this film was made.