Terms of Endearment

Terms of Endearment

By James L. Brooks

  • Genre: Drama
  • Release Date: 1983-12-09
  • Advisory Rating: PG
  • Runtime: 2h 12min
  • Director: James L. Brooks
  • Production Company: Paramount Pictures
  • Production Country: United States of America
  • iTunes Price: USD 12.99
  • iTunes Rent Price: USD 3.99
7.1/10
7.1
From 746 Ratings
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Description

Terms of Endearment covers three decades in the lives of widow Aurora Greenaway (Shirley MacLaine) and her daughter Emma (Debra Winger). Fiercely protected by Aurora throughout childhood, Emma runs into resistance from her mother when she marries wishy-washy college teacher Flap (Jeff Daniels). Aurora is even more put out at the prospect of being a grandmother, though she grows a lot fonder of her three grandkids than she does of her son-in-law. Flap proves that Aurora's instincts were on target when he enters into an affair with a student (Leslie Charleson). Meanwhile, Emma finds romantic consolation with an unhappily married banker (played by John Lithgow, who registers well in a rare "nice guy" performance). As for Aurora, she is ardently pursued by her next-door neighbor, boisterous astronaut Garrett Breedlove (Jack Nicholson). After 75 minutes or so of pursuing an episodic, semi-comic plotline, the film abruptly shifts moods when Emma discovers that she has terminal cancer. Terms of Endearment won Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Screenplay for TV veteran James L. Brooks making his first feature film, Best Actress for MacLaine, and Best Supporting Actor for Nicholson. It was followed by a sequel, The Evening Star (1996), which again featured MacLaine as Aurora.

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Reviews

  • A Film That Has the Potential to Make Us Grow Culturally

    5
    By christianbailey
    This film is the standard... They've tried to recreate the formula many times, but never have come close to what makes this film 1 of best. It's more than a Hollywood film... This is a definitive classic... and as well a classic that is met with a resistance to ever add it to the top 100 films of all time lists. More Male driven films are put on those lists, a list that is created by a majority of men, and the obvious are on those lists- Gone with the Wind...literally films that aren't that great but have somehow become what we have been programmed to believe is good cinema. Terms of Endearment is truly a masterpiece, and deseres to be recognized as 1 of the top 10 films of all time, much less the top 100. Oh, and to call it a Chick Flick is ridiciulous, homophobic, and mysognistic. It's a Human Flick... maybe it would make some men uncomfortable... but that's a cultural problem in how we see men, and what men feel they need to be, and what they feel they need to cover, opposed to just being what they are. I even believe it's not amongst the top films becasue of it's potential to make us authentically feel. Somehow, culturally maybe we are ashamed at how much we like this film... We shouln't be... It would be growth to give this film the kudos it well deserves in cinematic history.

  • One of the all-time best movies

    5
    By NBS 115
    This is truly worth a watch. A terrific group of talent under one screen. Take the time to enjoy it!

  • Legendary

    5
    By iGreg
    One of those rare movies where it all works - Larry McMurtry's rich source material, the direction by James L. Brooks, and every performance in the film (including the children). Hits every emotional note with authenticity - it's funny, it's infuriating, and it's very, very sad. This one did not win its Best Picture Oscar by accident or default, it's a classic in every sense of the word.

  • A real tear jerker

    5
    By Geecin
    Classic. Watch with box of tissues. Memorable performances

  • Love it :)

    5
    By Shannabear(:
    I love this movie so much. Everytime I watch it, I cry. It never gets old <3

  • Love this movie

    5
    By Desiree 87
    All time favorite movie!!! I have watched it every year, at least once, since 1984. I love the depth of all the relationships-parental, friend & romantic. This movie gets me so emotional at the end... brings back memories of my own mother/daughter relationship.

  • amazing movie

    5
    By twilightzonejude
    This movie is totally worth every penny I love this movie, the bond between a child and mother , it shows how love in all stages, We have ups and downs in life, But yeah its a very good movie , thanks I tunes !

  • a great movie

    5
    By jacquelina101
    James L. Brooks has made some great movies and tv, and this film is one of his best, based on the best-selling book. Shirley MacLaine has also done some amazing work in film, but this may be one of her best roles, too. Definitely a 'chick-flick', but can also be enjoyed by men. Not only is it a story about mothers and daughters, men and women, family and single life, aging and youth, sex and love, life and death, but the story is also both hilarious and heart-breaking. I highly recommend it.

  • Terms of Endearment

    5
    By mishikh
    This movie made me so emotional towards the end, i broke down crying. The story is beautiful, the relationahip between mother and daughter in this movie reminds me of my mother and i. i just loved this movie. 5/5 stars.

  • Beautiful.

    5
    By Stellalunitsa
    This movie is real; it is beautifully written, smart, humorous, and brings out every emotion you can possibly think of. I have enjoyed this film since I was little, and I highly recommend that you experience this moving work as well.

Movies by James L. Brooks

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