One of the top grossing films of 1983, including sweeping away 5 Oscars, Terms of Endearment, not only is a heart-felt relationship between a sensitive and compassionate daughter (Debra Winger) and her over bearing mother, (Shirley MacLaine) but also what it means to get caught-up in the day to day: and faced with the really tough things in life like seeing one’s child go through unnecessary torment and hardship- but most of all, the film shows us about living in the moment, having fun in the moment, because life is fleeting, and often times, tragic.
Garrett Breedlove (Jack Nicholson), a retired astronaut, lives next door to Aurora Greenway (Shirley MacLaine) and as middle age can be very lonely sometimes, reveals to Aurora a selfish man, but also one who enjoys life and she sets out to meet him, that ends in a strange but beautiful relationship. Taking away, at least, a little attention from her suffering daughter miles and states away.
This film is certainly a character driven film rather than plot driven because the story is a simple one. It is the dialogue, acting and the great direction of James L. Brooks, (Broadcast News, As Good as it Gets, to name a few) known in the industry as the ‘actors director’ which makes this film one of the best of 1883.
A beautiful film: loving, caring, moving, emotional, revealing the joys and the tragedy of life, leaving a glimmer of Hope for us all.
Cast
- Shirley MacLaine as Aurora Greenway
- Debra Winger as Emma Greenway Horton
- Jack Nicholson as Garrett Breedlove
- Lisa Hart Caroll as Patsy Clark
- Danny DeVito as Vernon Dahlart
- Jeff Daniels as Flap Horton
- Betty King as Rosie Dunlop
- John Lithgow as Sam Burns
- Megan Morris as Melanie Horton
- F. William Parker as Doctor
- A. Brooks (voice) as Rudyard Greenway
- Mary Kay Place (voice) as Doris