Ordinary People: A Family Drama with a Side of Guilt
Critic: So, let’s dive into the tragic comedy that is Ordinary People. You know, the one where a family’s attempt to keep it together is as successful as a toddler playing Jenga. Spoiler alert: it’s not pretty.
Friend: Oh, I’ve heard it’s about a family dealing with loss. How bad could it be?
Critic: Bad? Try heartbreaking! The story kicks off with the Jarrett family, who are living the high life in suburban Chicago. But then, BAM! They lose their golden child, Buck, in a tragic boating accident. You know, typical day in the life of an upper-middle-class family, right?
Friend: Yikes! That’s rough. How do they cope?
Critic: Oh, they don’t. At least not well! The surviving son, Conrad, is convinced that he’s the reason Buck is dead. Talk about sibling rivalry gone wrong! He’s in therapy trying to deal with this guilt while his mother, Beth, is more concerned about keeping up appearances than actually feeling anything. It’s like she thinks if she ignores the problem long enough, it’ll just go away. Spoiler: it doesn’t.
Friend: So, she’s basically the queen of denial?
Critic: Exactly! She’s got denial down to an art form. Meanwhile, Conrad is having a meltdown worthy of a soap opera. He tries to kill himself, and instead of getting a hug from his mom, he gets a cold shoulder. It’s like, “Hey, Mom, I’m struggling here!” and she’s like, “Did you remember to clean your room?”
Friend: Ouch! What about the dad?
Critic: Oh, dear old Dad, Calvin. He’s trying to hold the family together, but it’s like trying to keep a sandcastle intact during a hurricane. He’s caught between a rock and a hard place—his wife is emotionally unavailable, and his son is a walking ball of angst. He’s the real MVP, but he’s not winning any parenting awards anytime soon!
Friend: So, does it get any better?
Critic: Well, Conrad does start to heal a bit with the help of his therapist, Dr. Berger, who is basically the only sane person in this whole mess. They have some heartfelt sessions where Conrad finally gets to voice his pain. But then, guess what? Family drama strikes again! Beth, in her quest to maintain the facade of a perfect family, ends up pushing Conrad even further away.
Friend: Sounds like a soap opera!
Critic: It really is! And just when you think it can’t get any worse, Beth drops the ultimate bombshell. She tells Calvin that she’s done with their marriage because, you know, feelings are overrated. So, they have this massive argument that’s basically a masterclass in dysfunctional communication. It’s like watching a car crash in slow motion.
Friend: How does it end?
Critic: Well, in a classic twist of “let’s not tie this up too neatly,” the film ends with Calvin finally confronting Beth about her emotional unavailability. Conrad is on the mend, but the family is still deeply fractured. It’s a bittersweet ending that leaves you wondering if they can ever truly be ‘ordinary’ again. Spoiler alert: probably not!
Friend: So, it’s a heart-wrenching, messy affair?
Critic: You bet! It’s a poignant look at grief and family dynamics, wrapped in a package of dysfunctional love. So, if you’re in the mood for a good cry and some existential dread, Ordinary People is your ticket!