Robert Redford
Ordinary People (Gente Comune)

Based on the novel of the same name by writer Judith Guest, "Ordinary People" is the work that marks Robert Redford's directorial debut in 1980. The actor chooses to direct a decidedly complex and in many ways problematic story; it tells the life of a bourgeois family from Chicago, shortly after the disappearance of the eldest son due to a sailing accident in which the other son (Timothy Hutton) is also involved. The slow return to normalcy is marked by misunderstandings and feelings of guilt that drive young Conrad to attempt suicide; the relationship with the rest of society is indelibly marked by his story, and the boy is forced to live in constant conflict with his peers. Friendship with a psychiatrist will help Conrad regain his identity lost in the memory of the tragedy.

As a first work, Redford does a reasonably good job even though the influence of master Pollack is very noticeable. For long stretches of the film, the style is precisely that of Redford's mentor, with fluid direction without too many frills and an ostentatious pursuit of concreteness. However, there is also a certain influence of Allen, just note that the director practically does not use a soundtrack at all, the beginning with cold opening titles without sound refers to "Interiors" by Woody, and even the very slow rhythms and the accuracy with which Redford tries to resolve the dialogues is typical of that work by the New York director. Despite a bit of prolixity at certain points and perhaps the excessive length, "Ordinary People" achieves its aim of depicting a slice of life marked by pain and slow rebirth. The psychological aspect is well-handled, and the director attempts not to fall into easy tear-jerking scenes, often managing to avoid them. Noteworthy are the excellent performances of Donald Sutherland and Mary Tyler Moore in the roles of Conrad's parents. The role of the mother is a difficult one, a woman destroyed by pain who has taken refuge in a total inability to communicate with her son, unable to give the love that Conrad needs in a very difficult moment of his life, "And then, what do children have in common with mothers? Bullshit, superficial bullshit: tidy up the room, clean your teeth, study your lessons..."

Four Oscars, including Best Picture and Director, a film with some flaws but all in all successful and touching.