Mary Tyler Moore discusses her role in "Ordinary People" - EMMYTVLEGENDS.ORG

[LS1LT1]

Hmm, I'd never even thought about the whole 'Beth was actually a victim' angle.

I too had just seen her as pure bitch, almost 'evil' even.

Perhaps she was also a victim, not sure.

All I know is that this has been hands down my FAVORITE movie since I was in my teens in the early-mid '80s which has always puzzled me because it's not necessarily the kind of film that a typical 15/16 year old adopts as their all time favorite LOL. But it was, and still is to this day.

Possibly the best film ever.

[TheDudezer]

I saw the movie Beth jared was definitely a bitch....hands down. a victim give me a break.

[garycalgary]

a curseword out of Mary Tyler Moore is like dust on a diamond it just doesn't fit or belong

[rasmus1ist]

Wonderful actress & and performance in Ordinary People, a top 10 favorite för me!

[mustang1978horse]

This movie was showned to me in an abnormal psychology class. It is wonderful movie, Mary should have won an oscar too. Great Job to all of them. Sutherland does a great job too.

[gotaigo]

My take on Mary's take on "Beth" is that she was a coward as the husband said in a scene where he profess to her that he's unsure if he loves her anymore. He ultimately came to the conclusion that she was "not a strong person".

[kwamemali]

I saw her as a bitch

[dav1237]

Ann-Margret and Lee Remick were considered for the role of Beth, as was Jane Fonda.

[calalilygirl]

@dav1237 Interesting. did not know that.

[mikesterSTLMO]

@dav1237 All three would have been excellent, but what made the role even more poignant was Mary Richards Laura Petry Tyler Moore playing against type so brilliantly. Not winning the Oscar that year remains one of the all time greatest Oscar blunders to date.

[grrregerrr]

@mikesterSTLMO Well said!

[geupelboi]

@dav1237 Ann-Margret is too warm, IMO, to play Beth. Jane Fonda might have been able to do it, she definitely has the disposition. But of the 3 mentioned here, Lee Remick gets my vote as most interesting choice. Jane has the proper coldness, but I think she may lack subtlety. Lee Remick was lovely and her demeanor would have been PERFECT for Beth J. Very proper and, most importantly, low-key. She could have done it very quietly and been devastating.

[lineba20]

I never hated her character. I thought she was definitely a phony bitch at times but I felt sorry for her more than hated her.

And I find it strange when people say the film was "depressing." I thought it was wonderfully theraputic.

[katinaanimator]

@lineba20

I always looked at her character as being in an inordinate amount of pain, and trying so hard to keep it in that it just made it worse. I think her character tries to be strong while not realizing that sometimes showing your weakness takes incredible strength.

I never look at the movie as depressing either. I see it as a reaffirmation that life goes on, that connections with other people are vital, and that there's still great love and hope in the world, even if bad things happen.

[hithr3000]

@lineba20 it was both.

[lineba20]

There's no question Mary Tyler Moore got ripped off at the Oscars. She was brilliant!!!

[christopherhoughton1]

I think she should have won the Oscar for the film. The fact that you hated her SO MUCH in the movie shows what a great performance it was -- subtle, underrated, and extremely powerful.

[boldness123]

one of the best movies!!! MTM was just brilliant.

[cinestar2]

probably she could play it that well because she didn't see beth as a "bitch" but as a victim... maybe that's the key.

[KellyGreen5555]

She was beyond brilliant in Ordinary People...The acting required so much nuance and buried feeling. It's a masterpiece.

[Equus1965]

@KellyGreen5555 I couldn't agree more. She was outstanding. With Redford directing and a brilliant cast, this became one of those life-changing films

[durangopsi]

ella ha representado como nadie a una madre narcisista en Ordinay People , una gran actriz

[ninethreefivesix]

@durangopsi Exactamente! Odiava su personaje en la pelicula con una passion de woof dios mio. Y solo una buenisima actriz puede ser eso.

[ivanbrocko]

She was bloody brilliant. One of my best movies ever. She stole every single scene in that movie.

[cutis1000]

Beth Jerrod was a repressed woman! She couldn't cope because she didn't have the tools to do so. It's interesting that Mary Tyler Moore confesses that some of the repression within her character was also in her! Mary Tyler Moore does come across as a bit repressed. Always striving for perfection but not capable of giving herself emotionally.

[TomsFriendKake]

Mary, you not only pulled Beth off, YOU NAILED IT DEAD CENTER!!!!

[MultiCgp]

Yes MTM definitely played her movie role so wel I so hated her character......

[evret0503]

This is off the cuff but I wonder if Redford could have pulled something dark and deep from Ms. Doris Day in the part...just a thought. Maybe she was tested. I know she was quite a bit older at the time but she always looked 10 years younger that what she was.

[gdwme]

There was no way Sissy was not going to win that year, but Mary would've won otherwise. It was a devasting performance. Glad she at least won the Golden Globe.

Was this interview really done this past summer!? She looks fabulous!! Wow.

[pitbull103]

And wouldn't you know...So many people call Beth a "bitch" and fail to recognize her as a victim of her own circumstances and upbringing.

[mama3183]

Yes..she did portray her part as Beth well.. very convincing.