Ordinary People

This article is about the film. For the novel it is based on, see Ordinary People (Guest novel). For other uses, see Ordinary People (disambiguation).

Ordinary People
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Robert Redford
Screenplay by	Alvin Sargent
Based on	Ordinary People by Judith Guest
Produced by	Ronald L. Schwary
Starring	Donald Sutherland Mary Tyler Moore Judd Hirsch Timothy Hutton
Cinematography	John Bailey
Edited by	Jeff Kanew
Music by	Marvin Hamlisch
Production company	Wildwood Enterprises, Inc
Distributed by	Paramount Pictures
Release date	September 19, 1980 (1980-09-19)
Running time	124 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$6.2 million
Box office	$90 million

Ordinary People is a 1980 American drama film directed by Robert Redford in his directorial debut. The screenplay by Alvin Sargent is based on the 1976 novel of the same name by Judith Guest. The film follows the disintegration of a wealthy family in Lake Forest, Illinois after one son dies in an accident and the other son attempts to die by suicide. It stars Donald Sutherland, Mary Tyler Moore, Judd Hirsch, and Timothy Hutton.

Released to theaters by Paramount Pictures on September 19, 1980, Ordinary People met commercial and critical success. The film grossed $90 million on a $6.2 million budget. Reviewers praised Redford's direction, Sargent's screenplay, and the performances of the cast. The film was chosen by the National Board of Review as one of the top ten films of 1980, and had six nominations at the 53rd Academy Awards, winning four: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actor for Hutton (the youngest recipient at age 20). In addition, the film won five awards at the 38th Golden Globe Awards: Best Motion Picture – Drama, Best Director, Best Actress (Moore), and Best Supporting Actor and New Star of the Year – Actor (Hutton).