This article contains mentions of suicide.
Summary
The Hulu documentary Brats explores the Brat Pack era and its influence on Hollywood.
Timothy Hutton, though not a core member, is considered an honorary part of the Brat Pack.
The 1980 film Ordinary People, directed by Robert Redford and starring Timothy Hutton, remains critically acclaimed and accessible on streaming platforms.
The 2024 Hulu documentary Brats reminds people of the glory days when the Brat Pack (actors who appeared in coming-of-age 1980s films, primarily The Breakfast Club and St. Elmo’s Fire) dominated Hollywood, including Timothy Hutton’s movie Ordinary People. Some might not consider Hutton a member of the Brat Pack, but a few lists include more people than the group’s eight core stars, and Hutton is linked to that bigger ensemble. Plus, Brats features interviews with Hutton and discusses his 1980 drama film Ordinary People, so, it is safe to say that Hutton is at least an honorary Brat.
The main members of the Brat Pack are Emilio Estevez, Anthony Michael Hall, Rob Lowe, Andrew McCarthy (who directed the Hulu documentary
Brats
), Demi Moore, Judd Nelson, Molly Ringwald, and Ally Sheedy.
Aside from Hutton, Brats on Hulu includes interviews with Andrew McCarthy (the director of the documentary), Emilio Estevez, Rob Lowe, Demi Moore, and more. They reminisce about being called the Brat Pack (a term they hated in the 1980s) and how it shaped their careers. As the Brats trailer reveals, many young actors and actresses wanted to be associated with the Brat Pack, while those already involved wanted to shirk the name. Nevertheless, Hutton’s role in Ordinary People awarded him membership to the exclusive club.
Ordinary People Cast
Role
Donald Sutherland
Calvin Jarrett
Mary Tyler Moore
Beth Jarrett
Timothy Hutton
Conrad Jarrett
Judd Hirsch
Tyrone C. Berger
Elizabeth McGovern
Jeannine Pratt
M. Emmet Walsh
Salan
Dinah Manoff
Karen Aldrich
Fredric Lehne
Joe Lazenby
James B. Sikking
Ray Hanley
Basil Hoffman
Sloan
Ordinary People Was Released In 1980
The Drama Was Directed By Robert Redford
Ordinary People, directed by Robert Redford and written by Alvin Sargent, is based on Judith Guest’s 1976 book of the same name. The drama film follows a wealthy family in the Chicago suburbs that is rocked by the accidental death of one son, Buck, and the attempted suicide of another, Conrad, played by Leverage star Timothy Hutton. Aside from Hutton, the cast includes Donald Sutherland, Mary Tyler Moore, and Judd Hirsch.
Ordinary People
won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director for Robert Redford, Best Adapted Screenplay for Alvin Sargent, and Best Supporting Actor for Timothy Hutton. Since Hutton was 20 years old at the time, he became the youngest recipient of the Best Supporting Actor Oscar and holds that record to this day.
Following the theatrical release of Ordinary People on September 19, 1980, the movie became a critical and commercial success. Critics commended the cast’s performances (especially Hutton’s), Redford’s work on his feature directorial debut, and Sargent’s harrowing screenplay adapted from Guest’s novel. Meanwhile, Ordinary People grossed $90 million against a $6 million budget, making it a box office success.
Related Why Molly Ringwald & Judd Nelson Aren’t In The Brat Pack Documentary
Andrew McCarthy’s Brats documentary features several key Brat Pack alum, leading many to wonder why Molly Ringwald and Judd Nelson don’t appear.
Ordinary People Is Currently Available On Max, Hulu, & Prime Video
The 1980s Movie Is Very Accessible
For those who haven’t seen Ordinary People or want to watch it again after viewing Hulu’s Brat Pack documentary, the 1980 movie is quite accessible. It is available to stream on Max, as well as Hulu and Amazon Prime Video, albeit through a membership with Max. Ordinary People can also be rented or bought through Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Fandango at Home.
Ordinary People
Director Robert Redford
Release Date September 19, 1980
Writers Judith Guest , Alvin Sargent , Nancy Dowd
Cast Donald Sutherland , Mary Tyler Moore , Judd Hirsch , Timothy Hutton , M. Emmet Walsh , Elizabeth McGovern , Dinah Manoff , Fredric Lehne
Runtime 124 Minutes