‘Ordinary People’ (1980)
Roger Ebert said of this movie that it had an “understated matter-of-factness.” While its understatement is its brilliance, it’s also its downfall. When compared to “Raging Bull” or “The Elephant Man”, other nominees in the same year, this domestic drama is a much quieter film. Unfortunately, that’s made it somewhat more forgettable than its counterparts with their larger-than-life stars.