The film was based on a JudithGuest novel. The book was widely challenged or banned because of its subject matter, which includes suicide.Ordinary People’s Oscars also included a win for 20-year-old TimothyHutton (making his theatrical film debut) as Best Actor in a Supporting Role.Robert Redford said the family in the film reminded him of his own in the way everyone talked “around” important issues.ElizabethMcGovern, who played Hutton’s character’s love interest, was a student at Juilliard during filming and became the first student there permitted to make a film during the school term—as long as she worked only on weekends.Timothy Hutton and Judith Guest did new interviews for the remastered Blu-ray release.On set, Redford instructed co-stars DonaldSutherland, MaryTylerMoore and McGovern not to communicate with Hutton to increase his character’s sense of isolation.GeneHackman was originally cast as the psychiatrist Dr. Berger, but he had to bow out due to his work on Superman II. JuddHirsch replaced him and earned an Oscar nomination for the role.Johann Pachelbel’s “Canon in D,” the movie’s main theme, has become go-to music for weddings.At age 20, Timothy Hutton became the youngest Best Supporting Actor Oscar winner.Mary Tyler Moore was shocked by Redford’s offer to play Beth, but he told her that he had her in mind for the role since the first time he’d read the novel.Mary Tyler Moore and Robert Redford both said Beth reminded them of their respective fathers.Michael J. Fox auditioned for the role of Conrad Jarrett, which went to Hutton. EmilioEstevez and SeanPenn were also considered.Mary Tyler Moore considered Ordinary People the “holy grail” of her career.Timothy Hutton is rumored to keep his Oscar in fridge. (Richard Dreyfuss shard a picture to prove he keeps his statuette chilled too.)BruceDern and KenHoward were considered for the role of Calvin, which went to Donald Sutherland.
Next, 10 of Robert Redford’s Wisest Quotes to Live By
