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Terms of Endearment
1983 132 min United States of America PG 12+
★8.0
Drama, Comedy
Director: James L. Brooks
📖 Based on the novel
«Terms of Endearment»
byLarry McMurtry
Trailers
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Teaser
Teaser
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Description
Aurora, a finicky woman, is in search of true love while her daughter faces marital issues. Together, they help each other deal with problems and find reasons to live a joyful life.
Budget:
$8M
US Gross:
$108.42M
Worldwide:
$108.42M
Starring
Shirley MacLaine
Actor
Debra Winger
Actor
Jack Nicholson
Actor
Awards
Academy Awards 1984
— Best Picture
Golden Globe 1984
— Best Screenplay
Golden Globe 1984
— Best Supporting Actor
Golden Globe 1984
— Best Screenplay
Golden Globe 1984
— Best Supporting Actor
Academy Awards 1984
— Best Actress
Golden Globe 1984
— Best Director
Academy Awards 1984
— Best Film Editing
Golden Globe 1984
— Best Picture (Drama)
Golden Globe 1984
— Best Actress (Drama)
Academy Awards 1984
— Best Production Design
Academy Awards 1984
— Best Supporting Actor
Academy Awards 1984
— Best Director
Academy Awards 1984
— Best Original Score
Academy Awards 1984
— Best Adapted Screenplay
Key opinion
Terms of Endearment is widely celebrated as a poignant, character-driven dramedy that balances sharp humor with profound emotional weight. While some viewers feel the final act leans too heavily into melodramatic territory, the masterful performances—particularly the chemistry between Shirley MacLaine and Jack Nicholson—anchor the film as an enduring classic.
| Acting | Shirley MacLaine and Jack Nicholson deliver career-defining performances, with their onscreen chemistry providing the film's most magnetic and vital energy. | |
| Acting | Debra Winger provides a magnetic and authentic portrayal that stands as a perfect emotional foil to MacLaine's authoritative character. | |
| Direction | James L. Brooks effectively pioneered the 'dramedy' tone, successfully blending sharp, life-affirming humor with deeply poignant human tragedy. | |
| Emotion | The film's emotional impact is immense, with the final act in particular leaving a lasting, tear-inducing impression on audiences. | |
| Ending | The narrative's shift into melodrama during the final third divides viewers; some find it a necessary cathartic conclusion, while others feel it descends into excessive sentimentality. | |
| Screenplay | Opinions on the screenplay are split; while many praise the nuanced dialogue and character development, others find the overall plot trajectory to be overly long and conventional. |