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Rating:  - One of the most moving films I have seen.
I loved this movie. It takes you through so many emotions. I can say without hesitation that it is one of the best films I have seen and without a dought deserved the best picture statue. The DVD shows a sharp clear picture.
Rating: - Tear Jerker
I have seen this movie so many times and no matter if it was the 5th or 10th time viewing it I always cry. This is an all in one movie, funny, maddening, sad, touching. I can't imagine anyone not liking it, unless your a man. Having someone close to me die of cancer made it all the more real and heartbreaking. The relationship between mother and daughter is so real. This movie is a must if you want a good cry and laugh!
Rating:  - DVD Special features lacking
I loved this movie from my first viewing in its original release. So when it became available on DVD I immediately ordered it with the hope of obtaining insight. However, director Brooks and his cohorts running commentary leave much to be desired. One gets the impression from their babbling that they haven't seen the flick in fifteen years plus. Compared to the excellence of director Chris Columbus commentary on Mrs. Doubfire, Terms is sorely lacking. I am disappointed.
Rating: - Corny, manipulative, and MARVELOUS!
I loved Terms the first time I saw it in a theatre, and still love it today - I've watched it over and over through the years. I first met Emma and Flap in Larry McMurty's extremely long novel, "Moving On" and was pleased to learn more about these two interesting characters. Everyone knows the plot, the superb performances all round, the tragic ending. I wanted to call attention to two scenes, one being the most heart-warming love scene I've ever seen, and the other, the last few moments.
When the usually overdone, perfect Aurora walks into the Nebraska motel after being with Emma, Aurora with her black roots capping her blond hair, make-up shot, shlepping along, and you hear Jack Nicholson (Garrett) say, "Aurora!", she looks up the motel stairs and there he stands, the cad, his tummy barely diguised by his black sweater, with his face full of love and compassion, and they meet on the stairs, they embrace, Aurora's nose is running, and she says "And who thought you'd turn out to be a nice guy?" Of course, the theme music adds its special magic, and corny, yeah - and I JUST LOVE IT. And then, just before THE END, the scene between Garrett and Emma's oldest, troubled son dressed in his church suit. I used to have that scene memorized word for word - I thought it just perfect. As I've worn out a Beta tape and a VHS tape, maybe I'll invest in a DVD. This film just touches every emotion.
Rating: - Come to Terms!
Another film that made me cry! If you've read my reviews on KRAMER VS. KRAMER and RAIN MAN, then you know my story. But, yes, it's happened again! Another Best Picture Oscar-winner has allowed me to shed my tears freely and openly.
Based on the novel by Larry McMurtry (Lonesome Dove, The Last Picture Show), TERMS OF ENDEARMENT is a "family" film that deals with a 30-year relationship between a flighty mother and her headstrong daughter, played to perfection by Shirley MacLaine as Aurora Greenway, and Debra Winger as her daughter Emma Horton. The film begins by establishing the relatonship between the neurotic Aurora with her young daughter.
It makes you laugh and it makes you cry! Either way, the film deserves its kudos. Created by future SIMPSONS producer James L. Brooks, we see the emotional turmoil that both Aurora and Emma face in their love lives.
The cast consists of: Jack Nicholson, as Aurora's zany cosmonaut boyfriend Garrett Breedlove (a role originally intended for Burt Reynolds [YIKES!]), Jeff Daniels as Emma's philandering husband Flap Horton, John Lithgow as Emma's lover Sam Burns, and Danny DeVito, in a delightful cameo, as Vernon Dahlart.
After a while, though, the film does tend to drift a bit. You have to be patient considering that the final climax, in which Emma loses her fight with cancer, is the blow that sent me (and possibly millions of other viewers) into tears. Watch Aurora's face; watch Emma's, and you'll know exactly what they're saying without them even saying a word. Simply devastating!
Winner of 5 Academy Awards including: three for director Brooks for Best Picture (as producer), Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay; Best Actress - Shirley MacLaine (also nominated against costar Debra Winger); and Best Supporting Actor - Jack Nicholson (nominated against costar John Lithgow).
All in all, in a year (1983) where TERMS was up against THE RIGHT STUFF, THE BIG CHILL, THE DRESSER, SILKWOOD, EDUCATING RITA, and FANNY AND ALEXANDER, TERMS OF ENDEARMENT proved that even a "soap opera" film can be the best! So true.
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