Ordinary People

The original anthology film, Ordinary People, directed by Robert Redford, had a tagline when it came out in 1981: "Some films you watch, Others you Feel." I hadn't known of this tagline until after I watched the movie a second time, and when I did discover it, I thought it was the best way to describe it. I love movies from the '80s, or just movies from earlier generations in general, because they are properly focused on the characters and their development. Scratch special effects, CGI, pampered actors, green and blue screen, stand-ins -- and what's left is a legitimately good movie with long-lasting value, a movie like Ordinary People. One viewing of this movie -- actually one viewing of a particular scene (my favorite, as it happens: when Conrad finally breaks down and has a cathartic revelation about the death of his older brother, Bucky) -- and you'll immediately understand why it won 4 Oscars back in its day. A tearjerker, yes, but an inspiration at the same time. The very title, "Ordinary People," while perfect for explaining the overall plot, is a misnomer for the movie itself, as well as its actors, which was nothing but extraordinary.

Look eye! Always look eye,

Amanda