Ordinary People
Beth, Calvin, and their son Conrad are living in the aftermath of the death of the other son. Conrad is overcome by grief and misplaced guilt to the extent of a suicide attempt. He is in therapy. Beth had always preferred his brother and is having difficulty being supportive to Conrad. Calvin is trapped between the two trying to hold the family together.
Despite its tight budget of $6.0M, Ordinary People became a runaway success, earning $54.8M worldwide—a remarkable 813% return. The film's distinctive approach connected with viewers, showing that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Ordinary People (1980) reveals carefully calibrated story structure, characteristic of Robert Redford's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 10-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 4 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.5, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Conrad wakes from a nightmare about the boating accident that killed his brother Buck. The Jarrett family appears perfect on the surface but Conrad is visibly struggling, recently released from a psychiatric hospital after a suicide attempt.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 15 minutes when Calvin insists that Conrad call a psychiatrist. Though gentle, this disrupts Conrad's attempt to just "get back to normal" and forces him to confront his need for help.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The Collapse moment at 92 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Learning of Karen's suicide sends Conrad into a panic attack and emotional breakdown. This "whiff of death" - his friend's actual death - triggers Conrad's own near-death and forces him to confront that his healing is fragile and incomplete., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 98 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Conrad, now emotionally honest, confronts his mother and recognizes she cannot love him the way he needs. Calvin finally sees Beth's emotional unavailability clearly. Beth leaves for Houston. Calvin and Conrad connect authentically for the first time, both accepting the painful truth about their family., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Ordinary People's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 10 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Ordinary People against these established plot points, we can identify how Robert Redford utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Ordinary People within the drama genre.
Robert Redford's Structural Approach
Among the 8 Robert Redford films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Ordinary People takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Robert Redford filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman. For more Robert Redford analyses, see Quiz Show, The Legend of Bagger Vance and Lions for Lambs.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Conrad wakes from a nightmare about the boating accident that killed his brother Buck. The Jarrett family appears perfect on the surface but Conrad is visibly struggling, recently released from a psychiatric hospital after a suicide attempt.
Theme
Conrad's friend tells him "Don't let her get to you" regarding the swim coach, but it echoes the deeper theme: the danger of keeping feelings bottled up and the need to express pain rather than maintain appearances.
Worldbuilding
We see the Jarrett family's upper-class Lake Forest life: Conrad struggling at school and swim team, Beth maintaining perfect social appearances, Calvin trying to hold everyone together. The family cannot discuss Buck's death or Conrad's suicide attempt.
Disruption
Calvin insists that Conrad call a psychiatrist. Though gentle, this disrupts Conrad's attempt to just "get back to normal" and forces him to confront his need for help.
Resistance
Conrad resists calling Dr. Berger, debates whether he really needs therapy, and struggles with whether to rejoin the swim team. He's caught between the pressure to appear normal and his internal turmoil.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
Conrad explores therapy with Berger, reconnects with Jeannine romantically, quits the swim team, and begins slowly opening up. Meanwhile, tension grows between Calvin and Beth as Calvin wants to discuss their problems but Beth refuses.
Opposition
Beth becomes increasingly cold toward Conrad, their family Christmas is tense, and Conrad learns his friend Karen (from the hospital) has committed suicide. The pressure intensifies as Conrad realizes superficial recovery isn't enough and Beth's inability to love him becomes clearer.
Collapse
Learning of Karen's suicide sends Conrad into a panic attack and emotional breakdown. This "whiff of death" - his friend's actual death - triggers Conrad's own near-death and forces him to confront that his healing is fragile and incomplete.
Crisis
Conrad, in crisis, calls Dr. Berger in the middle of the night. In an intense session, he finally breaks through and remembers/admits the full truth: he couldn't save Buck in the boat, he let go of him, and he feels responsible for his brother's death.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Conrad, now emotionally honest, confronts his mother and recognizes she cannot love him the way he needs. Calvin finally sees Beth's emotional unavailability clearly. Beth leaves for Houston. Calvin and Conrad connect authentically for the first time, both accepting the painful truth about their family.