"Ordinary People" is the most deeply rooted and touching British drama I have seen in 2020. Not one of them.
Compared to the little pervert and the aunt chasing each other in "Kill Eve", Phoebe's crazy spit in "London Life" and the decadence of "Go to His X World", the delicacy, gentleness and profundity of "Ordinary People" are the most heartwarming.
Marianne was a high school student with no friends at school. Late was said by the teacher twice, and she could say bluntly that she would stay in the church. Looking out the window in a daze, after the teacher reminds, he will complain that the teacher has no knowledge and nothing to learn.
Lonely, intelligent, sensitive, confused Marianne.
Cornell was cheerful at school, sunny, had a few good friends, and had girls who liked him. Like Marianne, Cornell was smart. What's different is that he has a social life. The intersection of the two is that Cornell's mother is the housekeeper in Marianne's house.
On the surface, Cornell was a gregarious normal person. However, he did not dare to admit marianne as his girlfriend in front of his friends. Even if two people have a relationship and don't say hello when they meet, they are afraid that others will think of him as a weirdo like Marianne.
At the high school prom, Cornell invited other girls to be their dance partners, even though he said he loved Marianne. Marianne, who had no friends, spent one of the most important turning points in her life alone in her own home.
Thankfully, Cornell escaped the ball alone. Dressed up and walking down the street crying until squatting. Growing pains that no one can avoid. Even if his mother didn't approve of his approach, she sincerely wanted him to have fun at the prom.
Cornell's abnormality is that he always wants to be the person who fits in, he doesn't know what he wants, and even the college entrance examination volunteers follow Marianne's advice. Marianne, on the other hand, will always be a non-stop migratory bird and will not find a home.
After graduating from high school, both were admitted to their ideal university. Cornell, who had left his hometown to study, had become a loner, his former friend was still there, and he had gone to Trinity College. At this time, Marianne became a girl who attended various parties and made friends. The two met again because of a party hosted by Marianne's boyfriend.
Something happened at this point that brought the two men closer. Cornell's former friend died suddenly. Cornell, who had never experienced death before, suddenly felt that life had become so heavy that she could not bear it. The embrace of two men in the church was so sincere and unambiguous.
Cornell's crying in front of the counselor was even more moving. He said there were a hundred versions of himself.
A weary Cornell could turn on the video all night, Marianne was quietly writing her homework on the other side, and he was sleeping peacefully on the other side. Unconsciously, you have become accustomed to each other's company, perhaps not love.
Compared to Cornell's abnormality and unusualness, Marianne's sensitivity and confusion came from her original family. The absence of a father deforms the family. The mother is busy with her career, and the younger brother is violent. Marianne was like a frightened bird in a wealthy home, with nowhere to put it.
A man Marianne later met illustrates this point. Two people have only sex, no love. Marianne tries to find pleasure in sex, only to find herself more upset and sad. This man could not appear when she was beaten by her brother in the middle of the night until she was bleeding, could not be with her own side, not the one who could soothe her soul.
But Cornell could.
He protected her, didn't beat her, didn't need her to please. Two people with flaws and grief, hugging each other to keep warm. This relationship has long since transcended love. So in the end, Marianne would encourage Cornell to accept a job in New York, while Marianne stayed in Ireland.
The two who separated never really left. The warmth and comfort in memory never goes away. That person is still that person. She encourages him to pursue his dreams bravely, and he protects her from being hurt again.
Sometimes facing, sometimes escaping, indecisive but occasionally courageous, is for ordinary people.
May we all be brave and happy.