Continuity mistake: In the restaurant scene where Conrad is sitting opposite Karen, the position of the drink glass in front of Conrad changes as the camera angle moves from Conrad's back facing Karen to Karen's back facing Conrad.
Ordinary People (1980)
Ending / spoiler
Directed by: Robert Redford
Starring: Donald Sutherland, Timothy Hutton, Judd Hirsch, M. Emmet Walsh, Mary Tyler Moore
Genres: Drama
Conrad Jarrett's (Hutton) friend Karen, from the hospital commits suicide. Conrad breaks down by this and sees Dr. Berger (Hirsch). Conrad blames himself for both his brother Buck's and Karen's death, claiming that in both cases, he didn't do enough to help and he has to live with his mistake. Dr Berger tells him that he can't keep punishing himself, and this cheers him up considerably. The next day, he visits his new friend Jeanine. Calvin (Sutherland) and Beth Jarrett (Moore) return from a ruined vacation to find Conrad happy and showing affection for his mother. He gives Beth a hug, who reacts to this quite surprisingly. During the middle of the night, Beth wakes up and finds Calvin at the dining room table, crying. He proceeds to explain his feelings for Beth. He feels that she can't allow any love in her life as she only showed love for Buck, and her love died with Buck. He also says that he doesn't know whether or not he loves her anymore. Beth is so shaken by this, that instead of arguing, she packs her bags and leaves. Conrad wakes up and has a talk with his father. He expresses his admiration and love for him. They both hug.
Jezzy T
Karen: Conrad. Let's have a great Christmas. Let's have... a great year. Let's have the best year of our whole lives. We can, you know... this could be the best one ever.
Trivia: Timothy Hutton was the youngest actor to win the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. On the advice of his sister, he apparently keeps his Oscar statuette in his refrigerator.
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