Terms of Endearment

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4:28

Terms of Endearment

PG

Released Nov 23, 1983

2h 12m

Comedy

Drama

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Popcornmeter

81%

Tomatometer

107 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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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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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

The 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

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

A genuine heart-warmer and true heartbreaker.

Rated: 4/4

Nov 19, 2023

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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

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Mikael H

People call this a tear jerker but it was its abundant lightness that I enjoyed most. And funnily enough the right word for its central performances is “endearing”.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/09/25

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David F

I don’t think I quite appreciated this film as much as earlier audiences, but its slice of American life was fairly entertaining.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/22/25

Full Review

Nicholas B

Good cast. Shame about the rest. Pauline Kael was right. It's TV charm, very lightly peppered with the smoke and mirrors of cinema eclat, stemming mainly from a great cast. Doesn't leave you with much else.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

03/29/25

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Roberto T

This is one of the better expressions of the spirit of the US in the early /mid eighties. Bittersweet and profoundly honest, yet not melodramatic. I feel like I grew up here

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/26/25

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Peter W

Exceptional acting, top notch script. A perennial favorite

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/20/25

Full Review

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

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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

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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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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