If you’re interested in seeing a fast moving, energetic film, Ordinary People (1980) is not for you. No razzle dazzle. No action-packed scenes. No special effects. These absences contribute to the perfect simplicity of the film.
The film’s pace is patient and interpersonally focused. Scenes linger with dialogue or silence, close-up shots of faces capturing expression and tension, allowing the nuanced emotional exchanges between characters to shape viewers’ experience. Just ordinary people in a family relating to one another, navigating the complexities of grief, struggling to connect.
The film follows a grief-stricken family, disconnected from one another because of a tragic loss. The film explores themes of guilt, grief, and the struggle to express oneself. Through the portrayal of the Jarret family members’ different ways of tackling their trauma, the film suggests the devastating effects within a family when they fail to communicate and avoid confronting the problem head on.
The mother Beth Jarrett, played by Mary Tyler Moore, embodies this tension especially well, as her unwillingness to open up prevents the family from addressing their trauma effectively. Moore plays the character brilliantly as she stays rigid, controlling, harsh, and icy throughout the film, never developing.
On the other hand, we follow Beth’s son, Conrad, played by Timothy Hutton, who is heavily depressed and cannot express his own feelings. As the viewers, we want Conrad to open up, recognizing that his responses like, “I don’t know” or “I’m fine” are a cover up. Throughout the film, we watch Conrad’s mental state slowly improve, gaining self-love and confidence.
Most of the film is shot in medium and close up shots. These shots are utilized, specifically, so that we the viewers can understand the characters and feel as they feel. The shots are longer with fluid transitions emulating the slower pace of the film. The shots remain for what seems like an eternity, but this extended time allows the viewer to fully observe the character’s facial expressions and take in their emotions.
Beth is frequently shown in solemn medium shots, isolated from the family, highlighting her closed-off and uncompassionate behavior. The film often lingers on her cold expressions and blank face, which serves to distance both the viewer and Conrad from her.
The relationship between Conrad and his mother is not a normal mother-son connection. It is clear, from the beginning of the movie, the mother holds the death of Conrad’s brother against him. The scene in which Conrad finally opens up to his mother and is left with a cold blank expression is heart wrenching and memorable.
The scene opens with the father, Calvin Jarrett, and Beth sitting in the study. The two are casually going through papers as the camera abruptly cuts to the son Conrad, leaning on the doorway. He explains he’s going to head up to his room because he’s tired and has had a long week. The three exchange congenial goodnights. Then, Conrad walks over to his mother and hugs her. She doesn’t hug back, instead leaving her arms limp.
This gesture is the first form of affection Conrad has shown his mother throughout the entire movie, one hour and fifty-one minutes in. The room’s ambience has a warm atmosphere with the golden light shining on the characters as they hug. Despite the warm inviting glow, the hug can best be described as cold and awkward. The shot, focused on their faces, lasts for an uncomfortable amount of time, capturing Conrad’s efforts.
The hug resembles one that two unfamiliar strangers might share. Then, Conrad says a final goodnight and walks upstairs.
All the while, his mother stares, with a blank expression at the wall, without any reciprocation. She is so humiliated at her own reaction she lowers her head in shame and turns away. The scene is brutal. The lighting and atmosphere are arranged in a way that invites the viewer to imagine what might occur between the boy and his mother, yet we are left as broken as Conrad. After trying his best, he is completely shut out by his mother.
The emotional atmosphere is further enriched by the film’s score, composed by Marvin Hamlisch. The film is known for its iconic Canon in D Major, composed by German composer Johann Pachelbel, which blends beautifully with its quiet tone. The gentle melodies complement the film’s silence, never overshadowing dialogue and seamlessly fitting into transitional scenes. This subtle yet impactful score enhances the emotional weight of the story, allowing viewers to feel the characters’ struggles even more deeply.
Ultimately, Ordinary People illustrates the complexities of grief and the barriers to communication within the Jarret family. As Conrad gradually confronts his trauma and seeks support, the film underscores the vital role of vulnerability in the healing process. While the family remains deeply disconnected, there are subtle signs of hope in Conrad’s journey, suggesting that facing pain is crucial for personal growth.
