Following the accidental death of his brother and a stay in the hospital following a suicide attempt and at the urging of his caring, somewhat aloof father (Donald Sutherland), an intelligent teenager (Timothy Hutton) in a wealthy Chicago suburb sees a kindly, unorthodox shrink (Judd Hirsch) to reconnect to his life and reconcile his feelings, chiefly concerning his cold, unloving mother (Mary Tyler Moore). Robert Redford's insightful and moving take on Judith Guest's gloomy book is minutely filmed and daresay captivating with wonderful performances (especially Hutton, an Oscar winner though this is really a leading role) across the board.
*** 1/2 out of ****
