Terms of Endearment (1983)

7.4PG132 minDirector: James L. Brooks

1983 comedy-drama film directed by James L. Brooks

Terms of Endearment is a 1983 American tragicomedy film directed, written, and produced by James L. Brooks, adapted from Larry McMurtry's 1975 novel. It stars Debra Winger, Shirley MacLaine, Jack Nicholson, Danny DeVito, Jeff Daniels, and John Lithgow. The film covers 30 years of the relationship between Aurora Greenway (MacLaine) and her daughter Emma Greenway-Horton (Winger).

Terms of Endearment was theatrically released in limited theatres on November 23, 1983, and to a wider release on December 9 by Paramount Pictures. The film received critical acclaim and was a major commercial success, grossing $165 million at the box office, becoming the second-highest-grossing film of 1983 (after Return of the Jedi). At the 56th Academy Awards, the film received a leading 11 nominations, and won a leading five awards: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress (MacLaine), Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actor (Nicholson). A sequel, The Evening Star, was released in 1996.

Plot summary adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

FAQ

What is Terms of Endearment about?
Terms of Endearment (1983) — Aurora and Emma are mother and daughter who march to different drummers. Beginning with Emma's marriage, Aurora shows how difficult and loving she can be. The movie covers several years of their lives as each finds different reasons to go on living and find joy. Aurora's interlud
Is Terms of Endearment based on a true story?
See the production background and source material details on the official Wikipedia article.
Is Terms of Endearment scary?
Content rating: PG. See the reviews tab for parental guidance and tone notes.