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Terms of Endearment

PG Released Nov 23, 1983 2h 12m Comedy Drama TRAILER for List
82% Tomatometer 110 Reviews 83% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
Widow Aurora Greenway (Shirley MacLaine) and her daughter, Emma (Debra Winger), have a strong bond, but Emma marries teacher Flap Horton (Jeff Daniels) against her mother's wishes. When the marriage grows sour due to Flap's cheating, Emma eventually splits from him, returning to her mother, who is involved with a former astronaut (Jack Nicholson). Soon, Emma learns that she has terminal cancer. In the hospital, supported by Aurora, she tries to make peace with Flap and her children.
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Terms of Endearment

Terms of Endearment

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Critics Consensus

A classic tearjerker, Terms of Endearment isn't shy about reaching for the heartstrings -- but is so well-acted and smartly scripted that it's almost impossible to resist.

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Critics Reviews

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Jay Scott Globe and Mail Terms of Endearment is the rare commercial picture that sets audiences to laughing hysterically and crying unashamedly, sometimes within consecutive seconds, and then shoos them out of the theater in contended emotional exhaustion. Dec 6, 2022 Full Review Pauline Kael New Yorker The picture isn't boring; it's just fraudulent. Aug 22, 2022 Full Review Neil Jillett The Age (Australia) Thanks mainly to fine acting in all the major roles and most of the minor ones, "Terms" is pretty well irresistible entertainment. It turns giggles into lumps in the throat and crinkles the eyes with laughter while it is misting them with tears. Jul 21, 2022 Full Review Christopher Lloyd The Film Yap A rather atypical Best Picture winner, this look at the complicated relationship between mother and daughter is notable for bucking conventions rather than serving them. Rated: 4.5/5 Feb 7, 2024 Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy A genuine heart-warmer and true heartbreaker. Rated: 4/4 Nov 19, 2023 Full Review Mark Johnson Awards Daily Terms of Endearment is more than just the epitome of a tearjerker. It is an often-hilarious look at the love that prevails within a dysfunctional family. Jun 27, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Ronald S This Best picture Oscar winning film shows a loving woman who struggles with dysfunctional relationships with her husband, mother and oldest son and ultimately her health in this heartwarming, dramadey tearjerker that keeps you glued to the screen until it ends. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ out of five. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 09/09/24 Full Review Christian K A classic tear jerker due to its emotionally brutal final 15 minutes. Needed infinite more Jack content cause what was in here was so incredible. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 05/13/24 Full Review Jeff M The big winner of the 1983 Oscars, this movie holds up relatively well, although there are portions that feel a bit sitcom-y. But that's to be expected, considering director/screenwriter Brooks' background. Overall, though, this remains a funny, touching movie about the relationship of a mother and daughter over several decades. MacLaine and Nicholson won all the awards when the movie was released, but the heart and soul of this movie is Winger, whose effortless and natural performance is wondrous. In my initial review, I said MacLaine provides the humor, but Winger provides the heart. And I stand by that assertion. There are moments toward the end of the film, particularly a scene with Winger and her children, that are so gut wrenching, you can't help but wonder if your entire emotional life will be altered. And as a behind-the-scenes fanatic, I'm utterly fascinated with this movie because Winger and MacLaine hated working with each other so much. It's a tribute to their craftsmanship that they were able to turn a bad off-screen relationship into something so compelling! Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/04/24 Full Review Paul H As was started elsewhere, this is a classic well acted tear jerker. Get your hankies out and enjoy a good cry. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/13/24 Full Review Gertrude F Terms of Endearment is funny and touching, and filled with wonderful performances. By the end of the movie, you'll have felt every emotion and the story stays with you for a long, long time. The soundtrack is excellent, one of my favourite themes, actually. Micheal Gore, well done! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/18/23 Full Review S S Terms of Endearment is perhaps one of the worst movies ever made. The acting is atrocious, the plot vapid and the obvious attempt to cover it all my emotional claptrap makes it even worse. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 10/25/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Terms of Endearment

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Cast & Crew

Terms of Endearment

Terms of Endearment: Official Clip - Beach Ride Terms of Endearment: Official Clip - Beach Ride 2:03 Terms of Endearment: Official Clip - Emma is Suspicious Terms of Endearment: Official Clip - Emma is Suspicious 1:52 Terms of Endearment: Official Clip - Asking Out Aurora Terms of Endearment: Official Clip - Asking Out Aurora 0:54 Terms of Endearment: Official Clip - You Do Bring Out the Devil in Me Terms of Endearment: Official Clip - You Do Bring Out the Devil in Me 1:14 Terms of Endearment: Official Clip - Emma Says Goodbye Terms of Endearment: Official Clip - Emma Says Goodbye 2:08 Terms of Endearment: Official Clip - Emma's Pain Shot Terms of Endearment: Official Clip - Emma's Pain Shot 0:37 Terms of Endearment: Official Clip - Aurora Has a Drink Terms of Endearment: Official Clip - Aurora Has a Drink 0:47 Terms of Endearment: Official Clip - Emma's Pregnant Terms of Endearment: Official Clip - Emma's Pregnant 1:03 Terms of Endearment: Official Clip - I'm the Wrong Kind of Man Terms of Endearment: Official Clip - I'm the Wrong Kind of Man 1:42 View more videos
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Movie Info

Synopsis Widow Aurora Greenway (Shirley MacLaine) and her daughter, Emma (Debra Winger), have a strong bond, but Emma marries teacher Flap Horton (Jeff Daniels) against her mother's wishes. When the marriage grows sour due to Flap's cheating, Emma eventually splits from him, returning to her mother, who is involved with a former astronaut (Jack Nicholson). Soon, Emma learns that she has terminal cancer. In the hospital, supported by Aurora, she tries to make peace with Flap and her children.
Director
James L. Brooks
Producer
James L. Brooks
Screenwriter
James L. Brooks
Distributor
Paramount Pictures
Production Co
Paramount Pictures
Rating
PG
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 23, 1983, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 1, 2011
Runtime
2h 12m
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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