Terms of Endearment

PG

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2h 12m

Comedy

Drama

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82%

110 Reviews

Tomatometer

83%

25,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

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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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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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

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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

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James M

I haven't seen this film since 1983 and it still packed the same wallop when I rewatched it tonight.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/13/23

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tim s

"Terms of Endearment" is both a touching and funny movie that is extremely well acted by all principle characters. It's not hard to see why both Shirley MacLaine and Jack Nicholson won Academy Awards for this movie as they switch between emotions with such ease throughout. Debra Winger gives a powerful performance as Emma, daughter to Shirley MacLane's Aurora, that is pivotal to the movies central plot as it follows her 30 year relationship with her mother. What " Terms of Endearment" does have is charm, which it relies heavily on, as it manages to incorporate many dramatic threads into its narrative. More Known for sitcom and T.V. writing and directing ( including The Simpsons ) James L. Brooks managed to deliver a warm hearted film that gave him multiple Academy Awards for directing , screenplay and best picture.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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James L. Brooks

Director

Shirley MacLaine

Aurora Greenway

Debra Winger

Emma Greenway Horton

Jack Nicholson

Garrett Breedlove

Jeff Daniels

Flap Horton

Danny DeVito

Vernon Dahlart

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Terms of Endearment: Official Clip - Beach Ride

2:03

Terms of Endearment: Official Clip - Emma is Suspicious

1:52

Terms of Endearment: Official Clip - Asking Out Aurora

0:54

Terms of Endearment: Official Clip - You Do Bring Out the Devil in Me

1:14

Terms of Endearment: Official Clip - Emma Says Goodbye

2:08

Terms of Endearment: Official Clip - Emma's Pain Shot

0:37

Terms of Endearment: Official Clip - Aurora Has a Drink

0:47

Terms of Endearment: Official Clip - Emma's Pregnant

1:03

Terms of Endearment: Official Clip - I'm the Wrong Kind of Man

1:42

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Terms of Endearment: Trailer 1

4:28

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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

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Pauline Kael

New Yorker

The picture isn't boring; it's just fraudulent.

Aug 22, 2022

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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

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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

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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
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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