OT: Ordinary People

[ClassicTVGal]

Mary's 1980 movie, Ordinary People, was on TCM last night. I had never seen the movie all the way through. I just remember a piece of it, and it's funny how you remember something, but then when you view it again it wasn't like you thought it had been, or that scene wasn't even in the program itself! (lol)

Anyway, has anyone here ever seen it?

It's definately a completely different role for MTM. She's a cruel/mean/cold woman who doesn't care about her 2nd child, etc. At times while watching this, I have to say I would think of Mary's real son, Richie, who was accidently killed (he was cleaning a gun and it went off) in [ironically] the same year, 1980.

{OT: And sadly, her sister had died just 2 years prior from a drug overdose at age 21. And I have always thought it was neat/interesting that Richie and Elizabeth were the same age. Actually, Elizabeth was 3 1/2 months older and 19 years younger than "sissy", Mary}

There's also a chapter in Mary's book, After All about the film, as well.

About the 3rd scene from the end, Conrad bids good-night to his parents and walks into the room, goes over and hugs his mother. And Beth (Mary's character), just sits there with this look on her face. And her husband watches this... she has no emotion and has said many times in the film that she isn't the "huggy" type, etc. And as her husband tells her that night in the kitchen, it's like she buried her love with their first son, Buck.

It's almost like it makes you fear her character sort of. In a certain way.

OKay, sorry. Anyway, I actually liked the movie more than I thought I would. I thoguht it was boring at first, but then started to like it more, but not LOVE it. I wouldn't call it my favorite MTM project, either, but it wasn't awful. Trust me, I have seen *much* worse.

You know, I was going to go more into this, but I don't wanna ruin it, so I'll let you guys reply and then I'll add what I was going to say, later.

If you have not seen it, I would recommend MTM fans to at least try it out.

[LittleRickyII]

Originally Posted by ClassicTVGal

OKay, sorry. Anyway, I actually liked the movie more than I thought I would. I thoguht it was boring at first, but then started to like it more, but not LOVE it. I wouldn't call it my favorite MTM project, either, but it wasn't awful. Trust me, I have seen *much* worse.

I remember turning on this on TV film once years ago, and it was somewhere in the middle. I enjoyed what I saw. That's the only time I've ever seen any of it, though; I've never seen it all the way through. But your comments are interesting because I would imagine Mary Tyler Moore would consider it her favorite motion picture that she's been involved in. And it was enormously well received, at least critically. But I seem to remember it getting really good box office at the time. And it went on to be the biggest Oscar winner that year, 1980, including winning Best Picture of the Year. Robert Redford also won for Best Director; Timothy Hutton for Best Supporting Actor; and Alvin Sargent for Best Writing. Also Judd Hirsch and Mary Tyler Moore got nominations for Best Supporting Actor and Best Actress, respectively. No other films she's been involved in have ever gotten that much acclaim. Of course, movie opinions are very subjective. I absolutely hated Lost in Translation, but it got nominated in 2004 for Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Director, and went on to win for Best Writing.

[HuntingtonM15]

It's a brilliant movie, but it's also horribly depressing. I haven't seen it in a while, but I'd like to try it again sometime soon.

[catlover79]

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.

[PGood97041]

I've been debating whether to watch Ordinary People for quite a while now, ClassicTVGal.
Part of me wants to just stick with Mary Tyler Moore as great comic actress, singer, dancer and iconic housewife (TDVDS) and career gal (TMTMS).
However, I've heard the performance is impressive, so I may eventually check it out.

Even if I do see it, I will say that although some people have tried, and are within their rights to do so, I've never been sure how far one should/could extrapolate how that particular performance relates to Mary's personal life. Only she really knows, and I'm just not comfortable doing it.

[Retro4Life]

It's one of my all time favorite films, with, as everyone has stated, excellent performances from the entire cast.

It is depressing at times, but overall, I think the movie is about self-discovery and empowerment, with Conrad finally being able to confront the family issues that have been plaguing him (and his family) for years. It's a story of how a tragedy can totally unbalance a family, and the incredibly painful and difficult task it can be to try to survive such an event.

[TV_Fan]

This is one of my favorite movies, but one that I can only watch when I'm in the right mood. I can relate to the movie in a very personal way. It's interesting reading all the comments, because I don't interpret MTM's character in the movie as cruel or a villainess. I interpret it as someone who is in a state of shock and reacting to her grief in her own personal (albiet selfish) way. I actually read the wonderful novel by Judith Guest before I saw the movie.

MTM's character is definitely a departure from how most people think of her and I recommend that her fans should see this movie. It shows the true depth of her acting ability and I think she did a wonderful job in it.

[scotsguy]

I agree it is a very harrowing movie,Mary is excllent throughout.
Sadly Mary has had so much tragedy in her real life,her son's accident,her sister's overdoze,helping her brother take his own life,allegedly,her own battle with alcohol,a difficult relationship with her own father.
She as any good Actor does,used all this pain in her performance,it is a great performance but a heavy film,I agree.

[Larry Surrell]

I agree that it's a good movie, but depressing. If you're seeing it for the first time be prepared to feel sad afterwards.

If you don't want to buy or rent the DVD, it's airing on TCM again March 25 art 10pm Eastern.

[ClassicTVGal]

Originally Posted by PGood97041

I've been debating whether to watch Ordinary People for quite a while now, ClassicTVGal.
Part of me wants to just stick with Mary Tyler Moore as great comic actress, singer, dancer and iconic housewife (TDVDS) and career gal (TMTMS).
However, I've heard the performance is impressive, so I may eventually check it out.

Even if I do see it, I will say that although some people have tried, and are within their rights to do so, I've never been sure how far one should/could extrapolate how that particular performance relates to Mary's personal life. Only she really knows, and I'm just not comfortable doing it.

Well, I had never wanted to see the film, either, PGood, but I'm glad I did.
Also, I hope you don't think I was trying to compare Mary's personal life with the film. If so, I'm sorry you recived that impression.

[ClassicTVGal]

Originally Posted by TV_Fan

I actually read the wonderful novel by Judith Guest before I saw the movie.

Actually I just borrowed this from the library yesterday. I mentioned it to my mother, and she think she may have to check out the book, as well. She thinks she'll like it over the movie.

[SpunkiiMonkii7078]

I saw this was on TV the other night but I didn't watch it because I just rented it a few weeks ago. It is such a depressing movie, but Mary did outstanding in it. It shows just how good an actress she is.

[PGood97041]

No, Classic, I wasn't referring to you.

I think you were just talking about the emotion she brought to the role...and maybe how some things in her personal life at the time might have contributed to her being able to do that. Quite a fair comment -- although even that might be me reading too much into your statement.

I'm mostly referring to people who would use that performance to say she was b*tchy in real life, away from the studio, or those who would relate it to anything that happened in her personal life.

Before I comment anymore, though, I should probably see OP. I think I could break away from "Laura" and "Mary Richards" just this one time!

[TV_Fan]

Originally Posted by ClassicTVGal

Actually I just borrowed this from the library yesterday. I mentioned it to my mother, and she think she may have to check out the book, as well. She thinks she'll like it over the movie.

I remember enjoying the book very much and after seeing the movie I felt the movie really did the novel justice.

[catlover79]

Originally Posted by TV_Fan

I remember enjoying the book very much and after seeing the movie I felt the movie really did the novel justice.

It was the opposite with me - I saw the movie first and then read the book. But I totally agree with you! This was also Robert Redford's directorial debut, as I recall. I've read how some people are still mad that he won the Best Director Oscar over Martin Scorsese for Raging Bull to this day!!