Ordinary People (1980) (Paramount Presents #30)

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by Cinema84

I'd love to read that WSJ article but a subscription is needed. I get the gist of it, though, and I'm glad that physical media is still popular enough to get media coverage. Any exposure is good exposure.

Here you go:

Seeing Classics—and More—Afresh
The Paramount Presents series of Blu-rays, each from a new transfer scanned in at least 4K, now stands at nearly 30 titles

It’s a popular trope that Hollywood has a short memory—even as home video, from VHS to 4K Ultra HD, has gone a long way toward returning old movies to the public eye. Yet the big studios aren’t always in the vanguard of such reappraisals. Though Warner Bros. did a commendable job early in the DVD era, as did Twentieth Century-Fox occasionally, Universal, Columbia and Paramount largely allowed their legacies to languish.

Now the last of those is making up for that with Paramount Presents, a continuing series of Blu-rays begun last year that currently stands at nearly 30 titles, each from a new transfer scanned in at least 4K. Even those movies previously on Blu-ray (about a third of the current roster) have received a marked upgrade in image quality. The latest, Hal Ashby’s beloved “Harold and Maude” (1971), arrived Tuesday.

Each release is limited to between 5,000 and 10,000 copies, so those with affection for the titles in this series should act quickly. One of the best so far, William Wyler’s “Roman Holiday” (1953), is already officially sold-out, though copies may still be available through certain third-party sellers.

Not every title is a classic. “The Golden Child” (1986), starring Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Crowe’s “Elizabethtown” (2005) certainly aren’t. But both Mr. Murphy and Mr. Crowe are also represented by more compelling efforts— John Landis’s deliciously barbed comedy “Trading Places” (1983) and the winsome coming-of-age picture “Almost Famous” (2000), respectively.

That last movie comes in a two-disc edition featuring a welcome “bootleg” (i.e., director’s) cut, with, among other things, more of Frances McDormand as the young protagonist’s formidable mother. And Milos Forman’s inexplicably underrated adaptation of E.L. Doctorow’s novel “Ragtime” (1981), just out last month, includes a “director’s cut workprint” ofthe film on a supplemental Blu-ray, with nearly 20 minutes added to the picture’s standard 2 1/2 -hour run time. (With its monochromatic insertions, the reconstructed workprint has not been restored in 4K.)

Paramount shortsightedly sold off much of its cinematic heritage in 1958, and its library of films from 1929 through 1948, Hollywood’s vaunted golden age, is now controlled by Universal. So there’s an enormous gap between the series’ oldest entry, “The Sheik” (1921), the silent-era desert romance that secured Rudolph Valentino’s iconic status, and everything else issued thus far. But you have to doff your hat to a studio that places a century-old movie like that alongside “Pretty in Pink” (1986), the charmingly offbeat teen romance that marked the apex of Molly Ringwald’s career, and “Bugsy Malone” (1976), Alan Parker’s adorable first, and most uncharacteristic, picture, an all-juvenile musical sendup of the Prohibition era, with a young Jodie Foster as a gangster’s moll.

There are also some undisputed mid-20th-century gems here. Cary Grant and Grace Kelly, to say nothing of the Côte d’Azur, look incomparably glamorous in Alfred Hitchcock’s “To Catch a Thief” (1955), filmed in VistaVision, the widescreen format Paramount created to combat television’s ascendancy. And George Stevens earned his first Academy Award as best director for “A Place in the Sun” (1951), his truncated but palpitating adaptation of “An American Tragedy,” Theodore Dreiser’s heartrending novel skewering the American Dream. These days, the movie’s stars—Montgomery Clift, Elizabeth Taylor and Shelley Winters, all in peak form—may be its biggest draw, but the disquieting contrasts of William C. Mellor’s Oscar-winning black-and-white cinematography set the tone.

Two films with hues so vibrant as to be almost distracting deserve attention as well. Cecil B. DeMille’s penultimate spectacle, “The Greatest Show on Earth” (1952), shot in three-strip Technicolor, earned a best-picture Oscar. Its virtues, though, lie not in its soap-opera plot, but rather in the extensive documentary footage of the Ringling Bros. circus at the height of its fame. And “The Court Jester” (1956), with the added kick of VistaVision, preserves the singular art of the entertainer Danny Kaye at his best—in a faux-medieval farce with no less than Basil Rathbone and Angela Lansbury as foils.

Bonus features on the discs vary widely. “Harold and Maude” comes with a new commentary track featuring the screenwriter Larry Karaszewski and Mr. Crowe, whose presence looms perhaps a bit too large throughout this series. But other discs are lucky to get a short, if authoritative, introduction by Leonard Maltin, and sometimes not even that.

Film buffs have every reason to wonder if they really need yet another iteration of a movie they adore but may already own several times over, thanks to changing technology and enticing extras. Should those who already have, say, Criterion’s excellent editions of “Harold and Maude” and Robert Altman’s “Nashville” (1975)—both now, naturally, out-of-print—hurry to buy Paramount’s new versions? In fact, probably yes, if they really love the films in question, because these new transfers are that good, albeit only incrementally better in the case of the two examples above.

More titles are coming early next year, including John Ford’s “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance” (1962) and Robert Redford’s Oscar-winning “Ordinary People” (1980). And, yes, 4K Ultra HD versions of some of these pictures will arrive soon. For a few of us at least, that means more buying. I’m told there are worse habits.

—Mr. Mermelstein writes for the Journal on film and classical music.

Copyright ©2022 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8
Appeared in the December 8, 2021, print edition as 'Seeing Classics—And More—Afresh.'

[Filmfan73]

What a pivotal scene. Two damaged people on the edge of disaster having a nice conversation.

Ordinary People, restaurant scene, Conrad and Karen - YouTube

Love this movie!

[cinemacrash]

There’s only one word to describe Ordinary People: Masterpiece!!! It’s not worth arguing with those calling it overrated or not deserving of its Best Picture award. Clearly, those people aren’t capable of distinguishing between great movies to those that can be considered masterpieces.

I’m extremely happy that we’re finally getting a blu ray release. But yeah, that cover picture is horrendous; they should have used the original one instead.

[Filmfan73]

Ordinary People & The Great Santini (1980) movie reviews - Sneak Previews with Ebert and Siskel - YouTube

7:50

[theater dreamer]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Here you go:

Thanks for posting that article, MifuneFan. It's an interesting read. I didn't know that the Paramount Select line had a limited print run, but it's not surprising.

The article also alerted me to the fact that I'd not yet ordered The Sheik. I've rectified that, and it will be here tomorrow. It's expensive, coming in at $24.89 delivered, but for that film, with the amount of work involved to make a blu-ray quality release a reality, I'm happy to pay it. Hopefully this means that Eureka issues it, as well, to pair with The Son of the Sheik, along with some more extras.

[McCrutchy]

According to the listing at Paramount Japan, this will have lossless original mono in the form of a Dolby TrueHD 2.0 Mono track. Always great to see lossless original audio, even if it's only there because Paramount can't be bothered to do a 5.1 remix.

[BlueCotton]

Originally Posted by McCrutchy

According to the listing at Paramount Japan, this will have lossless original mono in the form of a Dolby TrueHD 2.0 Mono track. Always great to see lossless original audio, even if it's only there because Paramount can't be bothered to do a 5.1 remix.

Even though I knew it wouldn't happen, I was sort of hoping they would have remixed this for stereo. The stereo score exists as it was released on a limited CD a few years ago. Not much music in this film, but what's there is great.

[Tommy0807]

Originally Posted by BlueCotton

Even though I knew it wouldn't happen, I was sort of hoping they would have remixed this for stereo. The stereo score exists as it was released on a limited CD a few years ago. Not much music in this film, but what's there is great.

I actually bought that CD. It included the music from Ordinary People and Save the Tiger. I don't think I ever listened to the Save the Tiger tracks, but I did listen to the Ordinary People score.

[BlueCotton]

Originally Posted by Tommy0807

I actually bought that CD. It included the music from Ordinary People and Save the Tiger. I don't think I ever listened to the Save the Tiger tracks, but I did listen to the Ordinary People score.

It's an interesting CD in that it includes so much additional score that was recorded but ultimately wasn't used in the film. It's fun to have the incidental pieces as well like the radio music, and holiday shopping music. I don't really listen to Save the Tiger portion either. It's mainly an Ordinary People experience for me!

[fabeyta]

Watched this tonight on Paramount+, definitely a new transfer.
Looked damn good to me.

Have seen this a dozen times over the years and don't remember it looking this good.
Wonderful cast.

Great Rewatchables podcast just released this week about this movie by Bill Simmons of
The Ringer. Worth a listen.

[albabe]

Originally Posted by Filmfan73

What a pivotal scene. Two damaged people on the edge of disaster having a nice conversation.
Ordinary People, restaurant scene, Conrad and Karen - YouTube
Love this movie!

I'm not sure I would call this a "Nice Conversation." More disturbing. You're 100% right that they are Two Damaged People... but it read to me that the actor was playing poor Karen, is playing her as delusional. She seemed to be speaking about all this great stuff, but not feeling it at all.

And Conrad was frustrated that she didn't seem invested or genuine and was more into pretending things were good...

I love this film.

[the sordid sentinel]

Originally Posted by albabe

I'm not sure I would call this a "Nice Conversation." More disturbing. You're 100% right that they are Two Damaged People... but it read to me that the actor was playing poor Karen, is playing her as delusional. She seemed to be speaking about all this great stuff, but not feeling it at all.

And Conrad was frustrated that she didn't seem invested or genuine and was more into pretending things were good...

I love this film.

Yeah..you can tell in that scene Conrad is trying to find his way to the other side. Struggling, but trying. He's at least aware of the world around him. Karen is oblivious. Always strikes me when she puts her coat on and it's crumpled up on one side..I'm sure it's something that just happened in the flow of the scene, but it always gives me the impression that something is askew.

[donidarko]

Originally Posted by albabe

…but it read to me that the actor was playing poor Karen, is playing her as delusional. She seemed to be speaking about all this great stuff, but not feeling it at all.

And Conrad was frustrated that she didn't seem invested or genuine and was more into pretending things were good...

I love this film.

A young Dinah Manoff in that small, but pivotal scene. Terrific actress. She did a great job portraying a lost, and yes, damaged and troubled teen. Can’t wait to see this again.

[Filmfan73]

Originally Posted by albabe

I'm not sure I would call this a "Nice Conversation." More disturbing. You're 100% right that they are Two Damaged People... but it read to me that the actor was playing poor Karen, is playing her as delusional. She seemed to be speaking about all this great stuff, but not feeling it at all.

And Conrad was frustrated that she didn't seem invested or genuine and was more into pretending things were good...

I love this film.

Right. I meant that they were pleasant to each other. The "damaged people" term to describe their deeper problems. I love how in this one scene you can find so many red flags, obvious signs of trouble. Especially coming from two people that are suicidal.

[Show spoiler]Karen is just a wreck. Look at the short span of time she spends with Conrad. She claims to be so busy, but in fact she just wants to touch base with him, and get out as quickly as possible. I'm assuming she doesn't want to get too deep in conversation with him about her feelings of despair, and hopelessness. Which is why she is doubling down on how busy she is, has to leave, and everything is normal with her. illusion tactic. Her mind is already made up. She is doomed, and doesn't want to be helped, or saved. When she blurts out "Conrad...will you cheer up?" As she exits the resteraunt is just as telling as their entire scene together. She herself want to feel good, and have "the best year ever". So sad.

Conrad on the other hand is doing everything right. He is actively trying to face his problem, and conquer it. Probably could have helped Karen too...if she would have let him.

[cinemacrash]

Originally Posted by albabe

I'm not sure I would call this a "Nice Conversation." More disturbing. You're 100% right that they are Two Damaged People... but it read to me that the actor was playing poor Karen, is playing her as delusional. She seemed to be speaking about all this great stuff, but not feeling it at all.

And Conrad was frustrated that she didn't seem invested or genuine and was more into pretending things were good...

I love this film.

I wouldn't call her delusional at all! She was simply coping with her depression and suicidal tendency the same way others do--her coping mechanism was to show the world around her that she was strong and happy in spite of everything that's happening in her life. It definitely shows the reality that many depressed people are always smiling and trying to be funny because they don't want to pass their misery on other people. She was trying to save Conrad from drowning in the same reality that she was in. The following scene was so powerful and impactful because just like in real life, no one would have thought that she was capable of ending her own life.

[the sordid sentinel]

Originally Posted by fabeyta

Watched this tonight on Paramount+, definitely a new transfer.
Looked damn good to me.

Have seen this a dozen times over the years and don't remember it looking this good.
Wonderful cast.

Great Rewatchables podcast just released this week about this movie by Bill Simmons of
The Ringer. Worth a listen.

Listened to the podcast while doing some work over the weekend..entertaining and definitely worth a listen. However I hate when someone simply dismisses Beth as a *****. She and Conrad are very much alike..but Conrad is brave enough to deal w/boxed in emotions and she refuses to do so. She winds up not only losing her oldest son but the rest of her family due to that.

[Tommy0807]

Originally Posted by the sordid sentinel

Listened to the podcast while doing some work over the weekend..entertaining and definitely worth a listen. However I hate when someone simply dismisses Beth as a *****. She and Conrad are very much alike..but Conrad is brave enough to deal w/boxed in emotions and she refuses to do so. She winds up not only losing her oldest son but the rest of her family due to that.

I haven't listened to the podcast, but, like you, I hate it when they dismiss Beth that way. I had a friend once say that he loved her performance because she was such a b****. I let it go, but I thought, wow, you're missing the point and you don't understand that character at all.

[Tommy0807]

Sorry that this post will be off-track of the Blu-ray itself, but the other night I had a dream where I'd gotten the Ordinary People Blu-ray, and as I watched it, I saw that they had re-edited the film and changed the ending. They'd added new scenes, and since MTM has passed, they used a different actress for the role of Beth. I was so upset that none of the reviews or discussion of the Blu-ray release had mentioned the new edit and new scenes. I woke up and was relieved it was only a dream.

[DukeTogo84]

Was about to pre-order this from Bullmoose right now, but I guess they closed it off. Had to go with Amazon which will get it to me on the day of release, but would have gone with Bullmoose to have it a few days early. Bullmoose seems to have issues with the Paramount Present titles for some reason.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

Was about to pre-order this from Bullmoose right now, but I guess they closed it off. Had to go with Amazon which will get it to me on the day of release, but would have gone with Bullmoose to have it a few days early. Bullmoose seems to have issues with the Paramount Present titles for some reason.

They likely just don't order as many since they're a smaller retailer, so it's probably best to pre-order from them earlier on.