Ordinary People

The 1980 American drama film Ordinary People tells a poignant story of an unexpected adventure involving an unlikely duo: Jed Lerner, a middle-aged gym teacher, and Callie Haverstock, a younger student who begins classes at Berkeley. The movie gets off on the wrong note with the overall overview provided, creating the misconception that the movie revolves around finding a missing classmate and solving a conspiracy, which is not true to the original film's plot. In reality, the story revolves around a missing family and their introspective journey towards healing and redemption. The narrative unfolds with changes at the Keaton house after the family welcomes back their eldest child, Calvin, from a hospital stay. Calvin, the responsible child of Beth and Calvin Keaton Sr., suffers from survivor's guilt after being involved in a sailing accident. The sailing accident, the central event around which the story gravitates, poses moral questions on guilt, perseverance, and sibling rivalry. On the fateful day of the sailing trip, Calvin's life preserver remains unattached at the dock, but he hesitated to take extra floatation because his younger brother, Buck, was going to wear it. Consequently, Buck dies during the boating accident, leaving the family collectively grieving. This pivotal moment continues to weigh heavily on the residents of the Keaton house. To cope with the loss of his younger brother, Calvin grows distant and increasingly anxious, which strains the parent-child relationship. Mother Beth encourages Calvin to spend time with the rest of the family in a bid to strengthen relationships and find meaning in the healing process. However, Calvin faces a clash of interests with his father, who continues to cling to idealized memories of Buck. At the other end of the spectrum is mother Beth's emotional struggle, battling despair while striving to maintain her dignified appearance for her son, Calvin. During this tumultuous period, she also has severe personal tensions with Calvin Sr. His expectations and lack of sympathy strain her emotionally. Throughout Ordinary People, actor Donald Sutherland delivers a nuanced portrayal of Calvin Keaton Sr., displaying how Calvin had consistently dealt with grief inadequately and inappropriately. As he grapples with guilt about Buck's death, Sr. fails to process his own emotions, viewing this refusal as an essential defense strategy, ultimately hindering his capacity for authentic feelings and making reconciliation even harder. On the other hand, Sissy Spacek delivers a heart-wrenching portrayal of Beth, capturing the essence of grief, conflict, and catharsis. Her emotional rendition holds its own in conjunction with the remarkable male performances, captivating audiences with its universal, emotional portrayal of a family attempting to rebirth itself after trauma. Director Robert Redford, using some of the same cinematographic flourishes seen in previous performances, skillfully emphasizes the feeling of claustrophobic tension within the Keaton house. This portrayal is enhanced by the utilization of tender light, symbolizing comfort, protection, and the love present within that space. Conversely, strong shadows reflect the feeling of abandonment and despair. An abundance of tension, confusion, and miscommunication arises in the relationships of the Keaton family, frequently caused by unresolved arguments. It takes time to rebuild during this, but their ongoing interactions serve as the eventual reminder that they can rediscover the love they share and confront their own feelings. After this introspective exploration, they accept what Buck left behind and his passing, a major transformation in their story. The relationships re-evaluate, encouraging healing as well as renewed intimacy and personal discoveries. With Ordinary People, Robert Redford explores melancholy but portrays an inspirational narrative about perseverance in an attempt to confront and restore human connections.