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Today's Date is:

Ordinary People


Reviewed by: Rachel Hughes
Genre: Drama
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1
Audio: Dolby Surround 2.0
Language: English and French
Subtitle: English
Length: 2hrs 4min
Rating: R
Release Date: August 28th 2001
Studio: Paramount
Commentary: None
Documentaries: None
Featurettes: None
Filmography/Biography: None
Interviews: None
Trailers/TV Spots: Original Trailer
Alternate/Deleted Scenes: None
Music Video: None
Other: None
Cast and Crew: Donald Sutherland, Mary Tyler Moore, Timothy Hutton and Judd Hirsch
Screenplay by: Alvin Sargent based on novel by Judith Guest
Produced by: Ronald Schwary
Directed By: Robert Redford
Music: Marvin Hamlisch
The Review: "Ordinary People" is the story of a well-to-do family (Donald Sutherland and Mary Tyler Moore) trying to deal with the crisis within their own family. Their oldest son has died in a boating accident, and the youngest one (Timothy Hutton), who feels responsible, has attempted suicide. On the surface it looks like they are coping fine and moving in the right direction, but underneath a storm is brewing. When the son begins to visit a psychiatrist, (Judd Hirsch) the storm rises to the surface and the family must deal with their hate, rage, and inability to forgive. Having been only four years old when this movie first debuted has put me at somewhat of a disadvantage. Over the last twenty years I have been inundated with countless T.V movie knock-offs featuring a family struggling to keep it all together through horrible tragedy. I have seen so many of these I was reluctant to watch this movie at all. While the film offered nothing I hadn't already seen, it was nice to get to the source of the family crisis genre. To inspire so many other movies, there has to be something wonderful in the original. This film has many good points so it is hard to know where to begin. First the film is notable for its firsts. This was Robert Redford's film directorial debut. His directing is subtle, but powerfully felt. This was agreed upon by his peers when he was awarded an Oscar for Best Director. This was also Timothy Hutton's feature film debut. His performance was stunning. You not only believed his character, but you sympathized with him. His performance was so incredible you are left wondering what happened to his career? (Luckily you can now catch him on A&E's Nero Wolfe Mystery series.) Hutton also received an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. This was also one of the first times Mary Tyler Moore was featured in a serious dramatic role. Until this point she had always been Mrs. Rob Petrie, or the girl turning the world on with her smile. This movie showed she not only had superb comedic timing, but she could play a convincing, unsympathetic cold woman. Moore was nominated for Best Actress. The strength of the film rests on the performances by the cast and director as well as the wonderful adaptation of Judith Guest's novel by Alvin Sargent. The story slowly unfolds before the audience. You learn the history of what has happened with the story slowly and in brief split second flashbacks. Compared with today's movies this pacing may seem too slow, but the film draws you in all the same. The ending is a bit of a drop off; you want to find out what happens. For those who were raised on the poor imitations of "Ordinary People" it is a bit difficult to watch. Nothing is too surprising, and the movie is a bit over sentimentalized. Try to watch it with an open mind and enjoy the performances by those involved.
Image and Sound The image and sound on this film is pretty much a mixed bag, sadly more of it is bad then good. First the good. The color transfer is done exceptionally. The colors come through well. A lot of the films of the late 70's early 80's have a soft subdued look and this film is no different. Everything is softly lit and natural. There are a few flashes of bright colors, specifically the yellow train, and the red blouses at the birthday party, and the red Christmas package Beth carries at the mall. These intense colors are paired with equally intense emotions. This transfer keeps that in tact. While the colors do well, the picture quality itself is extremely poor. There are artifacts everywhere throughout the picture. They are most noticeable during the opening credits. This is so bad that it detracts from the viewing of the film. The sound is equally varied. There are a few bright spots where your speakers come alive. This is most noticeable during the first swim practice, and the score music playing when they bring the Christmas tree home. For the most part the sound is centered through the main speakers. Since the film is in 2.0 Surround sound you cannot get the full envelopment of sound. Since the film is mainly dialogue driven though, you do not miss the 5.0/5.1-surround sound. However there are many scenes where the conversations seem to cut away. For instance there is a scene where Conrad is talking to his father. You can hear what the father is saying, but it is difficult to hear what Conrad is saying. There were many times when I had to turn on the subtitle just to hear what was going on. For a movie of this nature there is no excuse for this kind of poor transfer.
The Extras Even more disappointing than the video and sound transfer is the lack of extras for this Best Picture Film. The menu is the same picture as the front of the DVD case. There are no graphics or anything. The only extra is the original theatrical trailer. This is in reasonably good shape for being a 20 year-old trailer. It actually looks better than the opening of the film. However for a film of this caliber is deserves so much more. It would have been wonderful to have a commentary by Redford, interviews with the cast about their experiences making the film and the like. This movie was the first time directing for Redford, film debut for Hutton, and acting against type for Moore. To hear their reminisces of the film would be illuminating.
Commentary None
Final Words: Even for true fans of this movie it would be difficult to recommend this DVD package. The transfer is of such poor quality that it makes it difficult to watch the film. When you factor in the bare bones packaging you find it difficult to justify the suggested price of $24.99. If you must own it, try to find a good deal on the price. This DVD is definitely not worth the price. Fans will be disappointed with this treatment. Hopefully, Paramount will release a better version, this movie deserves it.


Send all Comments to Teakwood Productions
 August 8, 2001