The first time I saw Ordinary People was in one of my college courses over a decade ago. We only watched a little bit, but it made me want to see more, so I rented it later on. It is a VERY depressing movie, but all of the performances are outstanding. Timothy Hutton was phenomenal and totally deserved the Oscar he won. Why Donald Sutherland, as the father, wasn't even nominated, is a mystery. Judd Hirsch as the psychiatrist, also earned a supporting actor nod but lost out to Timothy Hutton in the same category.
But MTM was the one who REALLY stunned me. The role was a total departure for her and she made a frighteningly real villainess. Even though Sissy Spacek did a fine job in A Coal Miner's Daughter, I don't think she should've won the trophy over Mary.
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