Ordinary People

The Jarretts, an upper-middle-class family in Lake Forest, struggle to return to normal life after Buck’s accidental death and Conrad's suicide attempt. The house hums with the surface of normality while grief quietly gnaws at each member. Beth tries to keep up appearances, while Calvin steps in to hold the family together and help Conrad find footing.

Conrad returns home from four months in a psychiatric hospital and begins therapy with Dr. Tyrone Berger. He feels alienated from his friends and family as he reconnects with daily life and resists talking about his feelings. Dr. Berger works with him, guiding him to confront Buck’s death and his own role in the sailing accident.

In therapy, Dr. Berger learns that Conrad was involved in the sailing accident that killed Buck, which compounds the burden of guilt he carries. The revelation reframes Conrad’s feelings of blame and his path toward healing. The therapeutic focus shifts to helping him accept responsibility without letting guilt erase his sense of worth.

Beth refuses to acknowledge the depth of the family’s loss, insisting on routine and appearances over real grieving. She distances herself from Conrad, prioritizing composure and outward calm over genuine connection. Calvin tries to bridge the growing rift, but the fault lines in the family widen.

Conrad starts dating Jeannine, a fellow student who helps him regain a flicker of optimism. The relationship provides a different kind of support as he continues therapy and navigates his fractured family life. He begins to open up about his feelings, gradually letting go of some of his isolation.

Tensions rise as Calvin attempts to referee between Conrad and Beth. He often sides with Conrad to avoid pushing him toward another breakdown, while Beth remains emotionally distant. The home becomes a tension-filled arena where grief, blame, and unresolved guilt collide.

Near Christmas, Conrad explodes at Beth for not wanting to take a photo with him in front of the grandparents. The outburst exposes the raw grief beneath their careful façades. The moment marks a point of no return in their fragile relationship.

Beth discovers Conrad has been lying about where he goes after school. A heated confrontation follows, and Conrad accuses Beth of never visiting him in the hospital. Beth retorts that Buck would never have needed to be hospitalized in the first place, underscoring the distance between them.

Beth and Calvin travel to Houston to see Beth’s brother Ward, and Calvin presses Beth about her evasive attitude. Beth remains guarded and refuses to fully reveal her feelings or the depth of her grief. The trip underscores the widening gap between the parents and their son.

Conrad learns that Karen, a friend from the psychiatric hospital, has taken her own life. The news intensifies his sense of guilt and isolation and tests his ability to cope with loss. The tragedy adds another layer to his struggle for healing and belonging.

A cathartic breakthrough session with Dr. Berger takes place in the middle of the night, giving Conrad a chance to stop blaming himself for Buck’s death. He begins to accept his mother’s frailties and his own need for support. The session marks a turning point in his emotional processing.

As Conrad seeks affection, Beth remains unresponsive, prompting Calvin to confront her emotionally about whether she is capable of truly loving anyone. His challenge becomes a moral examination of what it means to be a family after such trauma. Beth’s guarded stance leaves the future of the marriage in question.

Stunned by Calvin’s confrontation, Beth packs her bags and heads back to Houston. The departure signals a sharp turn in the family's attempt to reconstitute itself after Buck’s death and Conrad’s crisis. Calvin and Conrad are left to confront a new, more fragile family dynamic.

In the wake of Beth’s departure, Calvin and Conrad begin to accept their new relationship and reaffirm their father–son love. They commit to supporting each other as they navigate the uncertain future. The film closes on a note of cautious, resilient connection between them.